The best canned crab meat is a popular seafood product that can be used in all kinds of dishes, including salads, sandwiches and soups. It’s also a versatile ingredient that can be used as an alternative to tuna in fish cakes or burgers, or as a substitute for chicken in pasta dishes.
A good quality canned crab meat should have a creamy texture and taste fresh, with no artificial flavors added. If you’re looking for high-quality canned crab meat products then we recommend checking out our top recommendations below:
Best Canned Crab Meat
#1: Chicken of the Sea Lump Crab
Lump crab meat is an excellent source of high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Enjoy the rich flavor of our canned lump crab meat packed in water—perfect for any occasion!
The convenience of canned lump crab meat makes it a great addition to your pantry, whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a delicious meal.This canned lump crab meat is low in sodium and high in calcium for a healthy way to enhance your diet.
Highlighted features:
- Promotes Healthy Bones and Joints
- High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Enhances Your Heart Health
- Rich in Vitamin C & Calcium
- Suitable as a Snack or Meal
- Gluten-Free and Kosher Pareve.
#2: Phillips Foods Super Lump Crab Meat
This is already cooked, so all you have to do is open the can and serve it up. It’s super-easy and ready in just minutes!
This canned crab meat contains various meat lumps. The lumps are harvested from the body of the crab after it has been cooked and processed. The meat is then packed into cans with a special crabmeat sauce.
The nutritious choice for your family, it contains no artificial flavors or colors. This canned food product has been specifically designed to be used as an ingredient in a wide variety of recipes, including casseroles, soups, tacos, and stir fries. This canned food product is also great for adding protein to salads or sandwiches.
Highlighted features:
- Protein-rich canned food products.
- Easy to use and quick to prepare.
- Contains no artificial flavors or colors.
- Great for adding protein to salads or sandwiches.
- Suitable for many recipes, including casseroles, soups, and stir fry dishes.
#3: Bumble Bee White Crabmeat
This is a delicious and nutritious source of protein. It contains 16g of protein per serving, which is a great way to get your daily dose of protein! We’ve made it easy for you to enjoy this delicious snack on its own or use it as an ingredient in seafood recipes.
You can enjoy the delicious taste of it right out of the can or bake it into a crab cake! You can also prepare them as an appetizer by adding them to your favorite cracker recipe. They are also great in soups, casseroles and salads!
Highlighted features:
- Gluten free
- 16 grams of protein per serving
- Ready to eat (just open the can)
- Delicious and nutritious
- Same great taste as regular crabmeat
#4: Miller’s Select Claw Crab Meat
This is the freshest, most delicious crab available. It’s been specially processed to lock in all of the natural flavor and color of the crab, so you can enjoy a taste of the sea without any additives or preservatives.
It was produced in facilities that meet strict standards for safety, quality and sustainability. And because it’s packaged in cans instead of plastic tubs or cardboard boxes, it’s more environmentally friendly than other brands of canned crab meat.
This product is perfect for anyone who wants to add some seafood to their diet without sacrificing their health.
Highlighted features:
- No additives or preservatives
- All natural, no cholesterol
- High in protein and fiber, free of saturated fat and trans fat
- 6.5oz can (approximate size)
- Ingredients: Crab meat, sea salt
#5: Geisha Wild Caught Fancy Crab Meat
This is the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your dishes. This crab meat is caught by hand and only the finest parts are used, so you can feel good about serving it to guests. It’s also shelf-stable, making it an easy addition to your pantry.
Each can contains 6 ounces of crab meat and has a dry weight of 4.25 ounces per can—that’s less than half the price per ounce than some other brands! The shellfish is wild-caught and handpicked from Alaska’s icy waters, so you know it’s fresh.
Highlighted features:
- Fancy crab meat
- Hand-picked and hand-processed
- Wild-caught by Alaska fishermen
- Shelf-stable, perfect for pantry storage
#6: Epicure, Crab Meat Jumbo Lump Pastuerized
No matter what you’re making, this is the perfect choice for your recipe. This canned crab meat is made using responsibly farmed or sustainable wild-caught crab, and it’s packed in a way that prevents oxidation and maintains high levels of moisture.
The high-quality meat you get from Epicure is also preservative-free, so you can feel good about serving this product to your family. Plus, it’s traceable back to the farm or fishery where it came from!
Highlighted features:
- Preservative-free and safe to eat.
- Made using responsibly farmed or wild-caught crab.
- High-quality meat, but low sodium (about 170 mg per serving).
- No artificial flavors or preservatives. No artificial flavoring or preservatives were added.
- All Natural
- Contains no dairy products and no gluten.
#7: Jumbo Lump Crabmeat
This is the best way to get the most out of your purchase. It’s pasteurized, which means it won’t spoil or go bad and will stay fresh for longer than unprocessed crabmeat would. It’s also wild-caught, so you know you’re getting a product that was caught in its natural environment and not farmed or raised in captivity. Finally, they don’t add any additives or preservatives to our crabmeat!
If you’re looking for crabmeat that’s ready to eat out of the can without any fuss, this is it!
Highlighted features:
- pasteurized
- wild caught
- no additives or preservatives
#8: Vital Choice Wild Dungeness Crab
Wild Dungeness Crab is a delicacy that’s hard to find fresh, but with Vital Choice’s Wild Dungeness Crab, you can enjoy it all year long.
These cans of flaked meat and leg sections are packed with flavor and nutrients that will satisfy your taste buds and your body. They’re rated Best Choice by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, which means they’re not only delicious, but also sustainably caught by fishermen who use sustainable practices.
They’re also easy to prepare: just pop open the can, heat up the crab in a saucepan for about five minutes, or serve cold straight from the can. You’ll be transported to a seaside restaurant without having to leave home!
Highlighted features:
- Wild Dungeness Crab, sustainably caught
- Rich, delicious flavor
- No filler, no sugar
- No preservatives or additives
- No nitrites or nitrates added
#9: Crown Prince, Fancy White Lump Crab Meat
You can’t beat the taste of fresh crab meat. But if you want to enjoy the taste of fresh crab meat without the hassle, then [product name] is the canned product for you.
This product has been processed and packed without bleaching agents or preservatives, so it’s a zero trans fat food that’s also a fat-free food. It’s also a good source of protein and contains zero carbohydrates!
This product is wild-caught, so it’s sourced from Thailand.
Highlighted features:
- Wild-caught
- Sourced from Thailand
#10: Premium Lump Crab Meat
This is a premium canned crab meat made from steamed live crabs, virtually shell-free and dependable supply. It is perfect for your favorite crab cakes, crab dip, seafood salad or as an addition to any meal! It provides customers with the highest quality crab meat products available on the market today at an affordable price.
This product has been inspected by the FDA and meets all requirements of current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This product is packed in cans that are sealed with a nitrogen flush system to help protect against spoilage and increase shelf life.
Highlighted features:
- Premium quality crab meat
- Packed in a can that is sealed with a nitrogen flush system
- Great for crab cakes, seafood salad, and any meal
- Best price guaranteed
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed
Things To Consider When Buying Canned Crab Meat
When buying canned crab meat, consider the following:
Origin of the crab meat
The species of crab from which the meat comes affects its flavor, texture and color. There are many varieties of crab, but most are sold in cans with no indication of their origin. The most common species used for canned crab is blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), but you can also find king, snow and Dungeness crab in cans.
The best way to determine what kind of crab is in your can is by checking the label or by looking at the ingredients list on the back of the can. If there is no indication as to where your can come from, look for a can that says “Made in the USA” or “Product of USA.” This indicates that it contains only domestic blue or king crabs.
Ingredients
Some canned crab meat comes with added ingredients such as salt or sugar — these are not harmful but may affect the flavor and texture of your dish. Look for a product that lists only blue or king crabs on its label or ingredients list. Some brands also include lemon juice extractives or citric acid as preservatives; they do not affect the taste but allow for longer shelf life and prevent bacterial growth during storage.
Most canned blue crab meat will also have added spices, such as paprika, mustard, garlic and ginger. The spice content is usually very minimal; a few grinds of pepper may be enough to give your dish a slight kick.
Freshness
Canned crab meat can be eaten on its own or in a variety of recipes. Because it is processed at sea, canned crab meat will keep for up to one year and sometimes longer. However, the quality of the product begins to deteriorate once you open the can.
You should always check the expiration date before purchase and use it within two weeks after opening. At that time, you can store your opened can in a refrigerator for another two weeks before eating it.
FAQs
Is canned crab meat as good as fresh?
The short answer is yes, canned crab meat is as good as fresh.
The long answer is that it depends on what you’re using it for. If you’re looking for a crab cake recipe that calls for crab meat, then canned will do just fine. But if you want to make a crab dip or other dish that requires a more tender texture, then fresh might be better.
Fresh crab meat has a softer texture than canned because it hasn’t been cooked or frozen. Canned crab meat is usually cooked and then flash-frozen at low temperatures to preserve its texture and flavor.
Canned crab meat can last up to two years in your pantry before the quality begins to deteriorate. The fresh crab should be consumed within two days of purchase if possible so that it tastes its best when eaten raw or cooked very lightly (like steamed).
Is white or pink crab meat better?
In terms of nutritional value, white or pink crab meat is about the same. Both are high in protein and low in fat.
White crab meat has a milder flavor than pink, but if you like the taste of crab and don’t mind the texture, there’s no reason not to eat it.
Pink crab meat is darker in color and has more fat than white meat, which means that it’s richer and more flavorful. It’s also softer and less chewy than white meat, making it easier to eat (and enjoy!).
Conclusion
Our conclusion is that canned crab meat is the best choice for you and your family. We believe that this is the best choice because it is easy to use, nutritious and delicious. You can use canned crab meat in many different ways from sandwiches to soups and salads. It is also very nutritious because it has a high percentage of protein, essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for maintaining good health.
We hope you found our article helpful in choosing which type of canned seafood is best for you and your family!