The risks of buying cheap snow crab legs can be quite high. Customers who prioritize lowest price over highest quality often lose out on truly delicious seafood, and potentially expose themselves to health dangers.
Companies that offer cheap snow crab legs might not have a commitment to safe handling practices, putting the customer at risk for contamination. Smell is an indicator of snow crab freshness. If cheap snow crab legs smell sour, or pretty much like anything other than crab, then the meat is compromised. If the texture is slimy, or if the meat is at all discolored, the crab has gone bad.
Catching snow crab is a dangerous job, and the catch’s price is reflective of those risks. If the price is low then it is possible either the fisher is underpaid, or the quality of the meat could be very low. Search for companies that are transparent about their fishing process to ensure accountability.
If the snow crab price is too low, that could be an indication that the company cuts corners on integral parts of the process, like shipping. Buying cheap snow crabs that are sold frozen could run the risk of poor delivery management, and a spoiled product. Shipping prices can be high for frozen seafood, but those high prices are indicative of the extreme care that is put into safe delivery.
For added context, we’ve included the price grid below. These costs reflect what you should expect to pay for a high-quality snow crab.
Snow Crab Legs Prices
Company | Price/lb | Minimum Order | Shipping | Order |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global Seafoods | $19.55 | 11 lbs | $16.20 | |
Crab Place | $22.69 | 3 lbs | $29.95 | |
Cameron’s Seafood | $36.66 | 3 lbs | $39.99 | |
Fulton Fish Market | $36.80 | 2.5 lbs | $25.32 |
Price-Point For Quality Snow Crab Legs
Snow crab legs are typically sold online for about $20 to $35 per pound. Avoid buying cheap snow crab legs and shoot for a higher price range to assuage fears about spoiled meat or risky consumption. Anything less than the typical market price might not be the freshest or best catch available. The best-quality snow crab legs will cost more than $20 per pound.
Avoid cheap snow crabs by purchasing from a reputable online seafood retailer. Companies that understand the value of seafood would not offer cheap snow crab legs, and their higher prices are reflective of industry knowledge and trustworthiness.
There are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Surf snow crab deals while they are in-season, typically mid-fall to mid-winter. Buy snow crab legs in bulk to save on shipping prices, or join a buying club to split the cost with friends. These strategies can help manage costs, while still prioritizing quality.
A price comparison could also be helpful. Snow crab is a cheaper alternative to Alaskan king crab, which costs anywhere from $35 to $65 per pound. Dungeness crab has a similar price point to snow crab, and offers a different flavor profile.
Snow crab is a great special occasion show-stopper, or weeknight dinner. Make this delicious crab affordable by buying smart, and avoid cutting corners to get a low price. Snow crab might hit a high price point, but the quality of the seafood, risk of the catch, and responsibility of proper species management requires more investment from the customer. The investment is definitely worth the pay-off!
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