15 Things to Know Before Buying Costco King Crab Legs
One of the products Costco is well-known for is the king crab legs. But before you buy Costco king crab legs, you may have some questions about the quality. I’ve researched everything you need to know about Costco king crab legs so that you can make an informed purchase!
1. Costco Changes the Location of the King Crab Legs
Depending on the time of year, Costco changes the location of the king crab legs in the store.
That said, Costco sells smaller packages of king crab legs during Christmas and other major holidays, such as New Year’s Eve.
Typically, these three-pound packages are located by the fresh meat section.
Or, the king crab legs will be found in the coolers by the other seafood selections like lobster tails, fresh salmon, and scallops.
However, at different times of the year, Costco changes the location of the king crab legs. Because the demand is lower, Costco will keep the crab legs in the frozen seafood section.
2. Costco’s King Crab Legs Are Less Expensive
One aspect customers love about Costco king crab legs is the price. For example, Costco king crab legs typically cost around $40 per pound, which may sound expensive.
However, other stores sell king crab legs at around $90 a pound, so you’re saving a considerable amount of money.
3. The King Crab Legs Come Precooked
Costco’s king crab legs are cooked and frozen at the processing facility when removed from the crabbing boats.
This is typical in the crabbing industry, as king crab legs are perishable and wouldn’t last very long in their uncooked, fresh state.
Because Costo’s king crab legs are already cooked, you can simply thaw them before eating.
4. Certain Costco Stores Deliver King Crab Legs
A convenient detail about ordering food from Costco, including king crab legs, is that you can have the products delivered right to your door.
According to Costco’s website, the king crab legs typically take two days to arrive. However, delivery is only available in select states and locations.
After logging in to your Costco account online, you can see whether or not king crab legs are available for delivery.
5. Costco Sells King Crab Legs in Ten-Pound Packages
Costco has you covered if you need king crab legs for a large group gathering! For example, Costco sells ten-pound packages of king crab legs.
Additionally, these packages contain between 16 and 22 crab legs per package. As you can see, these packages include more than enough crab to feed a large group.
6. Costco Sells Different Seafood Options in Bulk
When buying king crab legs from Costco in bulk, there are a few options. However, remember that king crab legs’ availability varies by location.
Still, here are some of the available options on Costco’s website regarding king crab legs:
- Northwest King Crab Legs (ten pounds): $259.99
- Alaska Home Pack Dungeness Crab & Spot Prawn Combo (three pounds of prawns and six pounds of crab): $239.99
- Alaska Home Pack Premium Seafood Variety Pack (wild salmon, halibut, sablefish, scallops, and king crab legs): $369.99
All these seafood options are available for shipping, and these packages are frozen.
7. Costco Sells Smaller Packages of King Crab Legs
Costco also sells smaller packages if you don’t want to buy a bunch of king crab legs at one time.
As previously mentioned, these smaller packages include two to three crab legs per package.
These smaller packages cost between $30 and $40, but the price fluctuates based on the time of year and the product’s supply and demand.
Still, when you purchase Costco king crab legs in bulk, you can save a little more per pound.
8. Costco’s Crab Is Healthy for You
Costco’s king crab legs are relatively healthy for you, as well as delicious, as they contain the following nutritional values:
- Low in saturated fat
- Good source of vitamin B12
- Good source of phosphorus
- Good source of zinc, copper, and selenium
9. There Are Multiple Ways to Cook King Crab Legs
Costco has a few different ways to prepare the king crab legs. That said, you can choose to steam, grill, bake, or boil the king crab legs.
Several customers also note that the only ingredients needed are butter or hot sauce to bring out the deep flavor of these crab legs.
10. You Must Heat King Crab Legs From Costco
It’s important to note that you must heat king crab legs from Costco before eating them.
Further, several customers note that the simplest way to heat king crab legs from Costco is to put them in a steamer. But there are numerous other ways to prepare Costco king crab legs.
11. Costco’s King Crab Is Not From Alaska
According to the packaging label, Costco’s king crab legs are caught in the Southern Hemisphere and are from the same species as the Alaskan Red King Crab.
With that, some customers were under the assumption that the king crab was Alaskan. However, that is not the case.
12. Costco Customers Love the King Crab Legs
Customers who purchased Costco king crab legs reportedly like the product. That said, the reviews on Costco’s website average 3.9 stars out of five.
Also, the ratings vary greatly, as some customers give the product five stars while others say the taste is just okay.
13. You Can Return King Crab Legs to Costco
If you don’t like the king crab legs from Costco, or they don’t meet your standards, the company has a generous return policy.
For example, Costco has a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all its products. So, if you don’t like the king crab legs, you can simply bring them to your Costco store and return them.
14. You Can Order King Crab Legs Online and Pick Them Up In-Store
At some Costco locations, you can order king crab legs and pick them up at the nearest location. However, this service is limited to certain areas.
Still, Instacart is available at Costco, so that you can place an order through the Instacart app.
15. Sam’s Club Also Sells King Crab Legs
One of Costco’s biggest competitors is Sam’s Club, which sells king crab legs, though they are packaged differently.
For example, Sam’s Club sells two-pound bags of king crab legs for about $37, provided through the store’s brand Member’s Mark.
Further, Sam’s Club crab products have reviews similar to Costco’s king crab legs. Moreover, Sam’s Club’s website provides cooking instructions for its king crab legs.
Ian Colbeck is a writer for Costco Food Database. Born in Seattle and living in Salt Lake City. Ian enjoys everything outdoors.