Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs

Cooking Soft Shell Crabs
Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs
Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs
Soft shell Crabs On Plate
Chesapeake Bay Prime Soft shell Crabs
Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab
Chesapeake Bay Soft shell Crab

Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs

  • Prime Size Soft Shell Crabs (4.5-5.0 inches tip-to-tip)
  • Pre-Cleaned For Easy Preparation
  • Free Nationwide shipping On Orders $100+
Number of Crabs

Delicious Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs

Prime-sized, soft-shell blue crabs, packed individually into vacuum-sealed packages with 2 crabs per pack and about 4.5-5.0" in length (tip to tip). We source our crabs from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore, where the art of selecting shedding crabs for the perfect soft shell has been practiced by the local watermen for generations. 

What are Softshell Crabs?

Soft shells are crabs that have molted (shed their hard shell). If caught within 12 hours of shedding, the crabs are very soft, therefore soft-shell crabs can be cooked and eaten whole, claw to claw (once the crabs are 'cleaned' after catching). Our Sizzlefish soft shell crabs are already cleaned, frozen, and individually wrapped when they arrive to your doorstep. Simply thaw out and enjoy!

How do I cook Softshell Crabs?

There are a variety of ways to cook softshell crabs with the most popular being to saute, air fry, or pan fry. Check out these recipes below for more inspiration and direction:

Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches

Almond Flour Crusted Soft Shell Crab

Shipping for Frozen Items

Shipping is free on orders over $100. We will ship your package via UPS/FedEx Ground*, unless your location is west coast in which case we will automatically ship Express for a 2 to 3 day Transit. Your package will take 1 to 3 days to arrive to you once it is shipped. We do not ship across weekends because shipping time extends past the effectiveness of dry ice. 
  • Orders placed on Monday will ship same day if placed before 8:00 AM ET.
  • Orders placed on Tuesday thru Wednesday will ship same day if placed before 12pm ET.
  • Orders placed after 12pm ET Tuesday will be shipped the following day.
  • Orders placed on Wednesday after 12pm thru Sunday will ship Monday, with the following exception:
  • Orders placed on Wednesday thru Thursday before 12pm within (NC, SC & VA only) will ship same day, since delivery takes one day.
We are unable to ship to PO boxes or FPO or APO addresses. Currently we are able to ship only to continental US addresses.
    * FedEx and UPS Ground are our standard, cost-effective shipping. If you prefer to expedite your shipment please select one of our expedited shipping options during checkout.

    Requested Delivery Dates

    You may request or schedule a delivery date in the future and we will do our best to accommodate the requested date. However, please note that certain dates may be impossible to accommodate depending on your area, day of the week, weather, and carrier delivery schedule. E.g: Orders requested for Monday delivery could be delivered the Friday before or on a later day of the requested week. 

    Shipping Tinned Fish

    To prevent damage during transit, tinned items will always ship separately from frozen items. Tinned items will ship with FedEx Ground economy and may take up to 7 business days for delivery. 

    Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs Nutrition Information

    Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs nutrition info
    Storage

    Seafood ordered from Sizzlefish should be kept frozen until ready for preparation. Items can be stored frozen for up to 12 months, but are best if consumed within 6 months of purchase.

    Thawing Instructions:

    The best way to thaw our seafood is to remove the product from the original packaging, place it in a plastic bag, and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. If you require faster thawing, we recommend placing the product into a non-vacuum sealed bag and placing it in cool water for around thirty minutes to an hour.

    additive free

    100% Additive Free

    Keto Certified

    Keto & Paleo Friendly

    sustainable fisheries

    Sustainable Fisheries

    omega-3-fatty-acids

    Rich in Omega-3s

    wild caught seafood

    Wild Caught Seafood

    Food & Wine ReviewFood and Wine Review
    — Food & Wine

    "Best Overall Seafood Delivery Service"

    A huge selection of ethically sourced seafood, including salmon, halibut, shrimp, lobster, and more.

    Why Choose Sizzlefish?

    Easy Healthy Meals
    Easy Healthy Meals

    Our individual seafood portions makes meal-prep a breeze. We've got tons of recipes, with new ones added weekly. Seafood carries so many health benefits like improved heart-health and boosted brain function. Eating healthy has never tasted so good!

    Experience On Fishing Boat
    30+ Years Seafood Experience

    With over three decades of experience in the seafood industry, you can trust us to source only the highest quality fish. We're here to answer any questions and provide cooking tips. Feel free to email or give us a call!

    Fast & Stress-Free Shipping

    We'll let you know when your box has shipped and when it arrives at your door. We even include extra dry ice in each shipment, so your seafood arrives frozen and stays frozen until you get home, even in the hottest conditions.

    Christine Review

    Every order we have received has been packed perfectly, arrived in great condition, and the quality of every order is excellent. We highly recommend this company. You won’t be disappointed!

    - Christine A

    Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs sourcing information

    Sustainably Caught, Responsibly Sourced

    We’re supporting healthy, abundant oceans by partnering with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program, and work diligently to source only environmentally responsible seafood. Learn more at seafoodwatch.org

    Perfectly Portioned, Individually Packaged

    Each portion is individually sealed in perfect portions with each package containing two hotel soft shell crabs. This way you can use only what you need and save the rest of your Sizzlefish box until you're ready for your next meal.

    Perfectly Portioned

    How Are Soft Shell Crabs Measured?

    Soft Shell Crab Size Chart

    What Over 30,000 Customers Are Saying

    ★★★★★

    Add customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your store’s happy customers.

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    ★★★★★

    Add customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your store’s happy customers.

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    ★★★★★

    Add customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your store’s happy customers.

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    Verified Customer
    ★★★★★

    Add customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your store’s happy customers.

    Author's name
    Verified Customer
    ★★★★★

    Add customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your store’s happy customers.

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    Verified Customer

    Are You Eating Enough Seafood?

    According to the USDA, nearly nine out of every ten Americans are not eating the recommended amount of seafood. Nearly ninety percent of Americans are failing to cash in on the proven health benefits of seafood like reduced risk of heart attack and improved mental health.

    To put this into perspective, it is recommended that we consume eight ounces of seafood, or two servings of seafood each week. How much seafood are you eating?

    Free Shipping

    Free Shipping On Orders $100+

    Enjoy fast free nationwide shipping on all orders over $100.

    Satisfaction Guaranteed

    Satisfaction Guaranteed

    We guarantee you'll love your Sizzlefish Box. If you're not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your order.

    Personalized Gift Messages

    Personalized Gift Messages

    Include a gift note in the special instructions/gift note box and we will include your message, free of charge.

    Interest Free Installments

    Interest-Free Installments

    Split your purchase into four, interest free installments when you select Shop Pay Installments at checkout.

    Overall rating: 4.47495 / 5 from 499 reviews.

    AI Generated Review Summary

    Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs are highly praised for their excellent customer service, delicious taste, and great quality. Customers love the size and softness of the shells, and the product comes well-frozen with great packaging. The crabs are sourced from the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore, offering a fresh and amazing culinary experience.

    Summary topics

    • Customer Service: 7%
    • Taste Quality: 11%
    • Crab Quality: 40%
    • Crab Size: 8%
    • Product Quality: 7%

    Review topics: ["size","taste","quality","order","value","delivery","price","service","packaging","deal","treat","crabs","smell","texture","bite","shells","information","sandwich","sizzlefish","seafood","softshells","ordering","meal","recipes","frozen","cook","fish","scallops","problem","experience"].

    Review highlights

    • "Always excellent quality seafood, prompt delivery, careful packaging, and superb customer service."Phil K.
    • "Great texture, nice soft shells and lovely crab flavors."Anne F.
    • "Big fan of soft shell crab and this order did not disappoint very fresh tasting and satisfying."Peter A.

    Reviews

    The softshell crab I received

    "The softshell crab I received it was all good. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get the the free ones that was supposed to come with the order, but that’s OK cause I was told when I order again that I would be able to get those with the order so again I thank you"

    William J. (5/5)

    Last year I ordered these

    "Last year I ordered these from sizzle fish and they were so much bigger. Excellent taste! The ones I received were VERY small in comparison. Not sure what happened."

    Elizabeth E. (3/5)

    Bay fresh!

    "Fresh soft shells, what a treat! Tender and tasty, makes the best sandwiches ever."

    George H. (5/5)

    Crunchy delicious!

    "They were perfect size to cook with juicy body and crunchy legs, will be returning for more"

    susan m. (5/5)

    They are always perfect and

    "They are always perfect and so are the crab cakes. As Baltimorons living in California we need crab everything all the time."

    Carolyn M. (5/5)

    "Great product"

    Brian (5/5)

    softcrabs

    "So small falling apart and hardly any meat. Not worth cooking."

    Pat C. (1/5)

    Not packed well

    "Not packed well"

    Dr G. (3/5)

    Soft Shell’s

    "These are nicely packaged and a good size. They sauté very nicely"

    Thomas P. (5/5)

    "We shall see, I will update review when I taste the crab!"

    Debra (1/5)

    Q&A

    Need to speak with someone about delivery time
    Thank you for reaching out. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the delivery time of your order, please feel free to let us know. Our standard shipping days are Monday through Friday, and typically orders arrive within 2-3 days once they are shipped. We ensure that all packages are shipped with plenty of dry ice to maintain the frozen contents during transit.
    What about Mercury? How much is in your sea fish?
    Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about mercury content in seafood. At Sizzlefish, we understand the importance of providing safe and healthy seafood options. It's important to note that mercury is primarily found in larger predator fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. These types of fish are higher up in the food chain and tend to accumulate more mercury. At Sizzlefish, we do not carry these larger predator fish in our product line. Our selection, including the Chesapeake Soft Shell Crabs you inquired about, consists of seafood that is typically lower in mercury, ensuring a healthier choice for our customers. We are committed to offering the highest quality seafood that meets safety standards and provides nutritional benefits. If you have any more questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!
    Do you ship to alaska
    Thank you for your interest in ordering with us! Currently we are able to ship only to continental US addresses but if this changes we will certainly let you know.
    Are the 12 "portions" for $129.95 actually 24 crabs. 12...2 packs???
    For the Soft Shell Crabs if you order the 12 you would get 24 crabs since they are packed two to a pack.
    Can you refreeze or do they need to all be eaten within a day or two of delivery?
    Yes, you can refreeze fish and seafood, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind to ensure safety and maintain quality. When it comes to thawed fish and seafood, it's generally recommended to not refreeze it unless it has been cooked. Thawing and refreezing can affect the texture, moisture content, and flavor of the seafood. The process of freezing and thawing can cause ice crystals to form within the flesh, potentially leading to a loss of quality. If you have thawed fish or seafood that you don't intend to use immediately, it's best to cook it first before refreezing it. Once cooked, you can safely freeze the seafood again. Cooked seafood has a different texture and structure that can better tolerate the freezing and thawing process. As for the recommended time frame for eating thawed seafood, it's generally advised to consume it within 1 to 2 days. This guideline applies to seafood that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator and stored at a safe temperature (below 40°F or 4°C). If you have leftovers from cooked seafood, they should also be consumed within this timeframe. Remember that the quality of thawed and refrozen seafood may not be the same as freshly prepared seafood, so it's always a good practice to plan your meals and thaw only the amount you intend to use.