5.0 from 3 votes
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!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 185 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears cut off the "face" of the crab, right behind the eyes. You are only cutting about 1/2 inch.
- 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.
- Flip the crab back over and lift up both sides, pull out the lungs.
- 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.
- Pat the crabs dry and set aside while you prepare the flour and oil.
- In a small dish add flour, red cayenne pepper and seasoned salt and mix together.
- Lightly coat the crabs in flour and set aside.
- In a large 12-inch skillet add vegetable oil and set over medium high heat.
- 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.
- Add cooked crab to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Add remaining two crabs to a the skillet and repeat.
- Serve hot or room temperature with lemon wedges.
Cup of Yum
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
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
% 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.