Do you dream of that sweet, salty taste of a real Maryland blue crab, even when you are miles away from the Chesapeake Bay? That unmistakable flavor of a steamed crab, perfectly seasoned with Old Bay, is a taste of true Americana. But getting those fresh, lively crabs delivered to your doorstep can feel like a major challenge. You worry: Will they arrive fresh? Will they have enough meat? How do you even pick a good shipper?
Choosing the best Maryland crabs shipped requires navigating a sea of online vendors. You want quality you can trust, not a disappointing box of shells. This guide cuts through the confusion. We explore exactly what makes a great shipment and how to spot the best providers offering that authentic Maryland experience, no matter your zip code.
Keep reading to discover the secrets to ordering crabs that taste like they just came off the water. We will break down the jargon, share expert tips on timing your order, and ensure your next crab feast is a resounding success. Let’s dive in and find you the perfect shipment!
Top Maryland Crabs Shipped Recommendations
- FRESH PREMIUM MARYLAND CRAB MEAT – Premium Maryland crab meat made fresh with simple, flavorful ingredients; all seafood and seasonings are naturally gluten-free and processed in a facility where cross-contamination is possible.
- YEAR-ROUND AVAILABILITY – Steamed-to-order Maryland Blue Crabs are available any time of year, backed by over 20 years of trusted USA shipping experience delivering top-quality Maryland seafood.
- EASY AT-HOME MARYLAND CRAB FEAST – Ships fast and ready to enjoy; serve right out of the box or re-steam at home. Includes crab paper, mallet, and glass for an authentic Maryland crab experience.
- AUTHENTIC CHESAPEAKE-STYLE FLAVOR – Seasoned with classic Chesapeake-style spices for bold, savory Maryland crab flavor that crab lovers expect.
- PREMIUM MARYLAND HARDSHELL CRABS – Includes a full dozen steamed-to-order Maryland Blue Crabs, delivering peak freshness and flavor for a traditional Maryland crab feast at home.
- Brought to you by Whole Foods Market.
- A perfect weeknight meal handmade with tender & sweet premium crab.
- Wild caught.
- Ready to cook.
- Our fresh blue crabs are prepared in the true Maryland style, steamed and spiced with our Maryland style crab seasoning. Get our famous blue crabs delivered right to your door!
- We catch live crabs and steam them daily. Our team carefully selects for quality and packs with the utmost care. Steamed crabs will arrive refrigerated at or below 38 degrees F in a crab cooler.
- When ready to enjoy your fresh blue crabs, simply reheat them in a steamer for approximately 5-10 minutes and use our signature crab seasoning and spice to flavor.
- Includes a 1-lb. bag of signature crab seasoning and 5 crab mallets for you and your fellow crab lovers to crack open those delicious blue crab claws. Note: female crabs may contain blue crab roe underneath the top shell.
- After you are done picking your crabs for that delicious buttery-sweet lump crab meat and you have more than you can eat... freeze it off and turn it into some Maryland style crab cakes.
- MADE WITH THE BEST AND FRESHEST MARYLAND CRABMEAT We use our best Maryland jumbo lump crab meat, so every bite is packed with large, succulent pieces of premium crab. This commitment to quality is what makes the crab the undisputed star of the show.
- MINIMAL FILLER Unlike other crab cakes, ours are crafted with "no filler." We add just enough bread crumbs to keep the delicate crab meat together, allowing the pure, sweet flavor of the crab to shine through.
- HANDCRAFTED WITH SIGNATURE SPICES AND HERBS We hand make every crab cake, blending the premium crabmeat with a perfect mix of signature spices and herbs. This special blend enhances the natural taste of the crab, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR ANY OCCASION Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, these crabcakes are designed to impress your guests and elevate any meal.
- PREMIUM GOURMET SEAFOOD From our company, "I Love Crabs," these crab cakes deliver a premium gourmet seafood experience right to your door. You get restaurant-quality taste and texture without ever leaving home.
- Female Maryland Steamed Blue Crabs are a mix of small and medium crabs.
- Caught, steamed the same day
- Ships fresh with gel packs *may ship frozen during off-season (end of November thru April)
- Recommended serving: 6 crabs/person Seasoned crabs: you can specify your preference in the order notes
- Fully cooked, ready to eat or reheat (instructions included)
- MADE WITH THE BEST AND FRESHEST MARYLAND CRABMEAT We use our best Maryland jumbo lump crab meat, so every bite is packed with large, succulent pieces of premium crab. This commitment to quality is what makes the crab the undisputed star of the show.
- MINIMAL FILLER Unlike other crab cakes, ours are crafted with "no filler." We add just enough bread crumbs to keep the delicate crab meat together, allowing the pure, sweet flavor of the crab to shine through.
- HANDCRAFTED WITH SIGNATURE SPICES AND HERBS We hand make every crab cake, blending the premium crabmeat with a perfect mix of signature spices and herbs. This special blend enhances the natural taste of the crab, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR ANY OCCASION Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, these crabcakes are designed to impress your guests and elevate any meal.
- PREMIUM GOURMET SEAFOOD From our company, "I Love Crabs," these crab cakes deliver a premium gourmet seafood experience right to your door. You get restaurant-quality taste and texture without ever leaving home.
- Goodness You Can Taste: Bring home a classic taste of seafood with our delicious Crab Cakes. Made from high-quality, real crab meat, our Maryland-style crab cakes are made with diced onion, butter, and savory seasonings.
- Unmatched Flavor: As masters of our craft, we skillfully prepare our seafood so it’s always full of delicious flavor and nutrition. These crab cakes are ideal for serving up a fresh-tasting, convenient meal.
- A Wholesome Catch: These crab cakes are always prepared with no artificial colors or flavors, hydrogenated oils, or antibiotics. Plus, our cakes are a natural source of natural Omega-3s and protein.
- Easy to Cook: Enjoy a deliciously fresh meal that is prep-free, mess-free, and stress-free! Simply heat cakes in a conventional oven until fully cooked, or cook on the stovetop.
- Trusted Since 1849: We’ve served families great seafood for over 175 years because of our longstanding commitment to quality and to ocean preservation.
- #2 Male Maryland Steamed Blue Crabs are a mix of small and medium crabs.
- Our crabs are authentic Maryland Blue Crabs caught daily and delivered the same day from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
- Fresh & delicious, mail order blue crabs are caught, steamed and packed the same day it ships
- Ready to eat: simple reheating included
- WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov/food.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Fresh Maryland Crabs Shipped Right to Your Door
Craving that sweet, savory taste of a true Maryland blue crab feast, but live too far from the Chesapeake Bay? Shipping live crabs might sound tricky, but with the right knowledge, you can bring the authentic experience right to your kitchen. This guide helps you pick the best shipment.
Key Features to Look For in Shipped Crabs
When ordering crabs online, a few things make a big difference in your meal. Focus on these key features:
1. Crab Type and Size
- Species: Always ensure you are ordering genuine Atlantic Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus). They have the best flavor.
- Size Grading: Crabs are usually graded by weight or by count per bushel/half-bushel. Look for terms like “Jumbo,” “Large,” or “Medium.” Jumbos offer the most meat but cost more.
2. Freshness and Handling
- Live Delivery: The best experience is getting live crabs. They must arrive cold and active.
- Packing Method: Good shippers use ice packs, wet newspaper, and breathable boxes to keep the crabs cool and allow them to breathe during transit.
3. Seasonality
Crab quality changes throughout the year. The best, meatiest crabs are usually available during the summer months (May through September).
Important Materials: What Makes Up Your Order?
The “materials” aren’t just the crabs themselves. The packaging is crucial for a successful delivery.
Packing Materials and Ice
- Insulation: High-quality foam coolers prevent temperature swings.
- Coolant: Proper amounts of gel packs or dry ice keep the temperature low without freezing the crabs (freezing kills them).
- Crab Conditioners: Some vendors use specialized seaweed or damp padding to keep the crabs comfortable.
Seasoning Inclusion
Most reputable companies include a bag of famous Old Bay seasoning. Check if this is included, or if you need to buy it separately.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A great crab feast depends on the quality you start with. Several factors help or hurt the final product.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Quick Shipping: Two-day or overnight shipping drastically improves the chances of live arrival.
- Harvesting Practices: Crabs harvested from cleaner, colder bay waters often taste better.
- Proper “Dormancy”: Crabs packed while slightly dormant (cool but not frozen) survive shipping better.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Heat Exposure: If the box sits on a porch in the sun, the crabs will die quickly, and the meat quality drops.
- Transit Delays: Holidays or weekend delays can ruin a live shipment. Always schedule delivery for early in the week (Monday or Tuesday).
- Poor Grading: Some sellers might try to sneak in smaller, lighter crabs when you ordered Jumbos.
User Experience and Use Cases
Why do people ship crabs? The experience is usually centered around celebration or nostalgia.
The Feast Experience
The best user experience involves steam-cooking the crabs immediately upon arrival. The noise of mallets cracking shells and the smell of Old Bay define the Maryland crab feast. It’s an interactive meal that takes time and effort, which is part of the fun.
Use Cases
- Special Events: Birthdays, graduations, or game days where you want a memorable centerpiece meal.
- Geographic Distance: For military families or people who moved away from the East Coast but miss the authentic taste.
- Convenience (Pre-Steamed): Some services offer pre-steamed and seasoned crabs. This saves time but slightly reduces the peak freshness of the meat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shipping Maryland Crabs
Q: Can I order female crabs (sooks) or only male crabs (checkers)?
A: Yes, you usually can. Male crabs are preferred for meat yield. Female crabs (often with orange/red tips on their claws) are prized for their rich, yellowish “mustard” (tomalley) inside.
Q: How long do live crabs stay alive in the box?
A: If packed correctly with ice and kept cool, live crabs can survive for 24 to 48 hours after delivery. You must unpack and steam them quickly.
Q: What happens if my crabs arrive dead?
A: Reputable companies guarantee live arrival. If they arrive dead, immediately take clear photos and contact the shipper. They should offer a refund or replacement for the dead quantity.
Q: Is it cheaper to order a half-bushel or a dozen?
A: Ordering in bulk (half-bushels or bushels) is almost always cheaper per crab. You save money on the packaging and shipping costs spread across more crabs.
Q: Can I freeze leftover cooked crab meat?
A: Yes. After steaming, pick the meat out, pack it tightly (draining excess liquid), and freeze it. It keeps the flavor best if used within three months.
Q: What is the “mustard” inside the crab?
A: The “mustard” is the tomalley—the hepatopancreas of the crab. It is considered a delicacy by many Marylanders, but some people discard it due to health concerns regarding environmental toxins.
Q: How much seasoning should I use when steaming?
A: Use a generous amount of crab seasoning (like Old Bay) in the steaming water. The steam carries the flavor into the shell. Do not sprinkle it on the meat after cooking.
Q: What is the best way to steam the crabs when they arrive?
A: Place them directly into a large pot with about an inch of seasoned water or beer. Cover tightly and steam until they turn bright orange-red, usually 15-25 minutes depending on size.
Q: Are there any specific shipping restrictions?
A: Yes. Most companies cannot ship live shellfish to certain states (like Alaska or Hawaii) due to federal regulations or extended transit times.
Q: How do I tell if a crab is a male or female before cooking?
A: Look at the apron (the flap on the underside). Males have a long, thin apron shaped like an inverted ‘T’ or Washington Monument. Females have a wide, rounded apron.