Maryland Soft Shell Crabs - Prime (4½–5 in)
- Cleaned & ready to cook
- Tender, fully edible shell
- Premium value
4½–5 in. One of America's favorite seafood delicacies, our prime soft shell crabs are caught just after shedding their hard outer shell (called molting) and carefully selected for superior quality and size. Because the new shell has not hardened, the whole crab can be enjoyed: fry it, grill it or saute it. They come cleaned and frozen, ready to prepare to your liking.
Overnight (next-day) delivery available
2-day shipping with dry ice available
Arrives frozen, packed with dry ice
Couldn't load pickup availability
Shipping
Shipping
Shipping zones
- Local1 day in transit
- Regional1 and 2 days in transit
- National1 and 2 days in transit
- Hawaii and Alaska1 day in transit
Tuesday–Saturday Delivery • Nationwide Shipping • Overnight Arrival Available
Shipping rates are calculated at checkout and vary based on the products ordered, destination, and shipping method selected.
Packed for Freshness
Maryland crabs steamed fresh to order and never frozen. Perishable crab and seafood orders are carefully packed in insulated coolers with plenty of ice or cold packs to maintain freshness throughout transit.
Choose Your Delivery Date
Select your preferred delivery date when ordering. For parties and special occasions, we recommend scheduling delivery one day early in case of unexpected carrier delays.
Shipping Information
Order by 5:00 PM EST for next-day delivery eligibility. Carrier delays due to weather, high package volumes or other unforeseen circumstances may occur. Arrival dates are estimates, and deliveries within one day of the estimated arrival date are considered on time.
Did you know
Did you know
A Very Short Window
Hard-shell and soft-shell blue crabs are the same species. A soft shell is the brief stage immediately after a crab molts and before its new shell hardens.
The shell begins hardening again within hours, which makes fresh soft shells seasonal and highly prized. During this stage the entire cleaned crab can be cooked and eaten, shell included.
Preparation
Preparation
Soft shell crabs
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Combine salt and flour in one bowl, and beat 2 eggs in another.
- Dip each cleaned soft shell crab in the egg, then coat it with the flour mixture or soft shell batter.
- Cook for approximately 4 minutes per side, until the shell is red and crisp and the batter is golden brown.
- Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Serve as a sandwich or as a main course.
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What Makes It Special
The Whole Crab, Edible
Soft shells are eaten whole, claws and all, with no picking required.
Cleaned and Pan-Ready
Cleaned before freezing, so they go straight from thaw to skillet.
Frozen at the Molt
Caught soft after the molt and frozen fast to hold that tender window.
Cold-Packed Freshness
Insulated coolers with gel packs or dry ice keep everything cold in transit.
Prime Soft Shells and the Po' Boy They Were Made For
Judging by the reviews, the first thing customers do with a batch of primes is fry them for po' boy-style sandwiches, and it is hard to argue with the instinct. At 4½–5 in, the prime is broad enough to headline a plate yet still tucks neatly into a length of crusty bread with remoulade and shredded lettuce.
The Grade That Splits the Difference
Prime is the middle of our soft shell ladder, and that is its power. Smaller grades lean appetizer; the biggest lean centerpiece. A prime does both jobs without complaint, which makes it the size to order when you have not decided on the menu yet: sandwich Friday, pan-seared over pasta Saturday.
Freezer to Skillet in One Evening
These crabs are cleaned in the hours after their molt and frozen right away, then shipped cold in an insulated cooler with dry ice and gel packs. Cooking is a short program: hot oil, a pass through beaten egg, a coat of salted flour or batter, then watch for the shell to blush red and the crust to go golden, roughly four minutes a side. Rest them on a paper towel and they are ready for the bread.
A Five-Star Start
Every review on this grade so far has landed at the top of the scale. Buyers praise the freshness and the generous portions, and some order primes to carry a beloved flavor to family members who can no longer travel to the coastal food they love. That is the kind of dish a soft crab makes: one worth sending.
Curious how a fully edible crab is even possible? Our article on the key differences between hard shell and soft shell crabs tells the molting story. Then get the bread ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hardshell and softshell crabs?
They are the same blue crab species in different lifecycle stages. Right after molting, the crab's body is temporarily soft, a short window when the whole crab is tender enough to enjoy. Hardshell crabs are typically steamed, while soft shell crabs are battered and fried.
How do I prepare your crabs and seafood?
Every order ships with preparation instructions, and our food prep guide, recipes and how-to videos cover steaming, re-steaming and cooking all of our crabs and seafood.
When is Maryland blue crab season?
Maryland crab season typically runs from April 1 into late November and early December. Outside that timeframe, or when Chesapeake crabs are not yet available, we source blue crabs from the Carolinas or Louisiana.
How are the orders packed for shipment?
Every order is sealed inside an insulated styrofoam cooler and placed in a sturdy box for extra protection. Depending on the products, destination, transit time and season, we use ice packs and/or dry ice, and we pack orders to withstand potential shipping delays.
How much is shipping?
Shipping options and cost are calculated at checkout for the product, destination and requested delivery date. Eligible perishable orders may offer overnight or 2-day service, and select packages include standard shipping in the listed price.
Why Choose Harbour House Crabs?
Over 26 Years of Experience
We’ve been shipping crabs nationwide for decades — we know how to ensure they arrive fresh and flavorful.
Freshness Guarantee
Our crabs are packed with care and shipped quickly to maintain their quality.
Options for Everyone
Five male grades from #2 jimmy to heavyweight, plus female crabs. Mix and match across an order.
Nationwide Delivery
We’re located near a major shipping hub, which means you get your crabs fast — even for last-minute celebrations.
