If you‘re a seafood lover shopping at Costco, the king crab legs have probably caught your eye. Costco is known for offering high-quality items in bulk at competitive prices, and their king crab is no exception. But before you load up your cart with these enticing crustaceans, there are some important things to know. As a consumer expert and avid Costco shopper, I‘ve done the research to bring you this comprehensive guide on buying king crab legs at Costco. You‘ll learn what to expect in terms of price, quality, nutrition, storage, cooking methods, and more.
1. Costco sells large quantities of king crab legs year-round
First, it‘s helpful to understand how Costco typically sells their king crab. You‘ll reliably find the crab legs in 10 lb boxes in the frozen seafood section all year long. Costco buys the crab in enormous volume which allows them to consistently stock it. If you don‘t need such a huge quantity, around the winter holidays you can often find smaller 3 lb packages which may be more practical for an intimate dinner. Sometimes you‘ll see the smaller packs in the fresh seafood cooler as well.
2. Costco‘s prices are highly competitive
Arguably the biggest draw of Costco king crab legs is the price. While the exact price fluctuates due to market conditions, you can generally expect to pay between $30-40 per pound. This is a bargain compared to other retailers and seafood markets which often charge $60/lb or more for comparable products. I‘ve even seen prices over $90/lb at high-end grocers! Considering the 10 lb boxes at Costco, you‘re looking at $300-400 total which is still a significant expense. However, this represents notable savings compared to the $600+ you‘d spend for the same quantity elsewhere.
3. The crab legs are precooked and frozen
The king crab at Costco is sold frozen and precooked. This is actually the case with almost all king crab on the market. King crab is cooked and flash frozen right on the fishing boats or at the dock as soon as the crabs are harvested to preserve freshness. Some seafood purists believe that freshly caught, never frozen crab is superior. But unless you live right by the source, frozen is as good as it gets – thawing and reheating is all that‘s needed. Costco does a great job sourcing high-quality crab that‘s frozen quickly and handled properly.
4. It‘s wild caught from the northern Pacific, not necessarily Alaska
Many people assume that Costco‘s king crab is from Alaska since that‘s where most of the U.S. harvest comes from. However, the boxes at Costco are labeled "wild caught from the northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea." This means the crab could be from Alaskan waters but may also be from Russia or Japan. While the fishing practices may differ slightly, rest assured it‘s the exact same species (red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus) prized for its sweet, rich meat and impressive size.
5. King crab is nutrient dense
As you‘d expect, king crab legs are an excellent source of high quality protein – about 16 grams per 3 oz serving. They also provide a bounty of vital nutrients like vitamin B12, zinc, copper, selenium and phosphorus which support energy, immunity and bone health. The tender white meat offers a healthy dose of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids too. A 3 oz portion has under 100 calories and less than a gram of fat. Compared to beef, pork and even chicken, king crab has an edge in the nutrition department.
6. Cooking king crab legs is quick and easy
Since Costco king crab comes fully cooked, you‘re really just heating them through. First, thaw the legs overnight in the fridge or place the sealed plastic bag in cold water for about an hour. Avoid microwaving or thawing at room temp which can compromise the texture. I recommend steaming or baking the thawed crab legs for 5-10 minutes until they are heated through. You can also grill or boil them briefly. Overcooked crab becomes tough and rubbery, so err on the side of caution. Serve the piping hot crab with melted butter, lemon wedges, and seafood sauces for dipping.
7. King crab vs. snow crab
Costco sells snow crab legs too, so what‘s the difference? King crab has thicker, spikier shells and much larger claws and legs, sometimes up to 5 feet long! The meat has a rich, brinier flavor compared to snow crab which tends to be more delicate, sweet and mild. Many find king crab to be more of a delicacy because of its heftier size and hearty flavor. Snow crab is less expensive, has thinner shells, and is considered easier to crack and eat. You‘ll get more meat per pound with king crab though.
8. Customer reviews are mixed
Browsing the customer reviews for Costco king crab online, reactions seem mixed. Positive reviews rave about the hefty size of the legs, the mollifying meat, and remarkable value. Critical reviews express that the crab lacks freshness, is waterlogged, or has an off taste compared to crab they‘ve had at restaurants or straight from the boat. Ultimately, frozen crab will never taste as divine as freshly caught. But for the price and convenience, Costco king crab satisfies most customers.
9. You can order online for delivery or in-store pickup
Don‘t want to haul a 10 lb box of frozen crab through the store? In some areas, you can order the king crab legs on Costco.com and have it delivered directly to your doorstep within 2 days. Alternatively, some stores offer online ordering for pickup. Simply purchase the crab on the website, select your preferred store location, and collect it from the designated pickup area. This is a no-hassle way to secure your crab in advance without the heavy lifting.
10. Costco has a generous return policy
If you get home and discover that your king crab is less than stellar, don‘t despair. Costco has a famously lenient satisfaction guarantee on virtually everything they sell, including crab legs. You can return them to the store for a full refund, even if the box is opened. Costco would rather you get a refund than feel disappointed by a product. This takes some of the risk out of buying such a pricey specialty item.
11. Proper storage is key
Frozen king crab lasts for up to 12 months, so you have some flexibility if you buy the large 10 lb box. Just make sure you have adequate freezer space and store it at a constant 0°F or below to prevent freezer burn and loss of quality. Thawed crab should be eaten within 2-3 days. Never refreeze thawed crab as the texture will suffer. Store thawed, cooked crab in the fridge in an airtight container.
12. Interesting king crab facts
Here are some fascinating factoids about king crab to share at your next dinner party:
- Red king crabs can grow up to 25 pounds with a leg span of 5 feet, hence the name
- Only male king crabs can be harvested legally; females are thrown back to reproduce
- In the wild, king crabs can live up to 30 years
- One king crab leg provides enough meat for 2 people as an entrée
- Peak season for king crab is October through January
13. Sustainability and responsible harvesting
Alaskan king crab populations have fluctuated wildly over the decades. Overfishing in the 1970s and 80s caused a crash in supply. Today, strict regulations dictate the harvest seasons, quotas, and minimum size of crabs. Only strong, mature males of a certain size can be caught, and the whole crab must be returned to the water if one is harvested by mistake. Catch limits and periodic closures allow stocks to replenish. Costco works with suppliers who use responsible practices to maintain healthy crab populations for the future.
14. Make a restaurant-quality king crab feast at home
Craving a decadent steakhouse dinner with king crab legs? You can recreate it at home for a fraction of the price. Most seafood restaurants charge a premium for king crab, often $60 per pound or more. With Costco king crab, you can enjoy generous portions while saving a bunch. Steam or grill the crab legs and serve them with clarified butter, seafood sauces, fresh lemon, and your favorite sides. Try pairing them with a ribeye steak and baked potato or grilled asparagus and crispy bread. Chardonnay or buttery Chardonnay perfectly complements king crab.
15. Sam‘s Club offers king crab too
It‘s worth noting that Costco‘s major membership club competitor, Sam‘s Club, also sells king crab legs. You‘ll find similar 10 lb bulk boxes for approximately the same price per pound. The crab comes from the same northern Pacific and Bering Sea waters. Sam‘s Club also carries some unique options like a combo pack with snow crab and spot prawns. If you have both memberships, compare the current prices and check for any sales or instant savings to score the best deal.
To sum up, Costco is a top choice for high-quality, affordable king crab legs. You‘ll consistently find wild-caught 10 lb boxes in the freezer section and occasional smaller packs when in season. Plan on spending $30-40 per pound, which is still a better value than other purveyors. The crab is precooked and flash-frozen to lock in freshness, so thawing and gentle reheating is all you need to do. Get creative with preparations like steaming, baking, and grilling. Serve with an array of sauces and sides for a restaurant-caliber experience at home. If you‘re not thrilled with your purchase, Costco will happily refund your money. With a little know-how, you can take full advantage of this lavish treat from the sea.
