Costco’s Viral Seafood Boil: $11.99/lb for Crab, Shrimp, and More — Worth It?
If your Costco feed has been blowing up lately, you’ve probably already seen the Lusamerica Seafood Boil. One 10-second video set off hundreds of comments and thousands of shares — and honestly, the reaction makes sense. A bag stuffed with wild Dungeness crab, shrimp, mussels, clams, red potatoes, corn, and a spice packet, ready to eat in six minutes, for $11.99 per pound? That’s the kind of find that makes Costco members feel genuinely smug.
What’s in the Bag
This is a pre-cooked, heat-and-eat seafood boil from Lusamerica. The lineup: wild Dungeness crab, shrimp, mussels, clams, red potatoes, corn, and a spice packet. The whole thing heats through in about six minutes — no outdoor burner, no giant pot, no babysitting a rolling boil for an hour. It’s a backyard seafood boil condensed into a weeknight-friendly format.
The price works out to $11.99 per pound. That’s not dirt-cheap for a grocery haul, but compare it to what a seafood boil runs at a waterfront restaurant — easily $25–$40 per person — and the value picture changes quickly.
Who This Is Actually For
Summer entertainers. If you’re hosting a backyard cookout and want a crowd-pleasing centerpiece without turning the event into a catering job, this is built for you. Dump it in the middle of a newspaper-covered picnic table and let people dig in.
Families with kids who love shellfish. Mussels and clams are surprisingly kid-friendly when they’re pre-cooked and seasoned. The corn and potatoes round it out so picky eaters aren’t left staring at a pile of crab legs.
Coastal cravings, landlocked location. If you’re in a metro that isn’t exactly known for fresh Dungeness crab, this is as close as you’ll realistically get without a plane ticket.
[AFFILIATE:costco_membership] — Not a Costco member yet? A membership pays for itself fast on hauls like this.
A Few Things to Know Before You Buy
- It’s sold by weight, so the total cost depends on the package size you pick up. Heavier bags mean more crab, which is where the value really lives.
- Pre-cooked doesn’t mean identical to fresh-boiled. The texture on the shellfish is slightly softer, and purists will notice. If you’re hosting serious seafood people, just set expectations.
- Availability varies by warehouse. Costco rotates seasonal items, and this one has the feel of a summer find rather than a year-round staple. If you see it, don’t assume it’ll be there next week.
- The spice packet is included, which is a nice touch — you’re not buying a plain bag and scrambling to season it yourself.
[AFFILIATE:amazon_seafood_accessories] — Want to go all-in on the presentation? A large seafood boil pot and an outdoor propane burner turn a packaged boil into a full backyard event.
The Verdict
For a summer party where you want maximum impact with minimal prep, the Costco Lusamerica Seafood Boil earns its place in the cart. It’s not a substitute for a made-from-scratch low-country boil, but it’s a genuinely solid shortcut that delivers wild Dungeness crab to your table for under $12 a pound — and it’s ready before your guests finish their first drink.
Head to your local Costco warehouse and check the seafood section. If it’s in stock, grab at least two bags.