Spicy Soft-Shell Crabs

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    30 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    185 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Spicy Soft-Shell Crabs

This spicy soft shell crab is the perfect way to indulge in this seasonal treat. Don't worry if you have never cooked soft shell crabs before. I walk you through everything from cleaning to cooking!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 4 soft shell crabs alive and fresh
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 Lemon wedges
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Instructions

  1. Using kitchen shears cut off the "face" of the crab, right behind the eyes. You are only cutting about 1/2 inch.
  2. Flip the crab over to the bottom side and pull up on the middle "lever" looking piece. Cut it off. This is piece is called the apron.
  3. Flip the crab back over and lift up both sides, pull out the lungs.
  4. Rinse the crabs under water and if desired press out the green "tamale" from the inside of the crab. Not sure what in the heck is a green "tamale"? It's simply the greenish-yellow stuff from the inside of the crab.
  5. Pat the crabs dry and set aside while you prepare the flour and oil.
  6. In a small dish add flour, red cayenne pepper and seasoned salt and mix together.
  7. Lightly coat the crabs in flour and set aside.
  8. In a large 12-inch skillet add vegetable oil and set over medium high heat.
  9. When the oil is hot add 2 crabs and cook 4-5 minutes per side. The crabs will be done when their shell turns red and they are plump.
  10. Add cooked crab to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
  11. Add remaining two crabs to a the skillet and repeat.
  12. Serve hot or room temperature with lemon wedges.

Notes

  • Look for fresh looking crabs that are active and smell fresh. 
  • You can ask your fish monger to clean the soft shelled crab for you if you're not comfortable cleaning it yourself. 
  • Please use SHARP kitchen shears for cleaning the crab. You want to be humane. 
  • Use less ground cayenne pepper if you do not like spicy food. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1crab Calories 185kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 8g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 0.4mg (0%) Sodium 881mg (37%) Potassium 54mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 212IU (4%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 185 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1crab
Calories 185kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g 47%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 0.4mg 0%
Sodium 881mg 37%
Potassium 54mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 212IU 4%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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