Best 9 Crisp Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs Recipes

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Crisp sautéed soft shell crabs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. Soft shell crabs are delicate and have a mild, sweet flavor that pairs well with a variety of sauces and seasonings. They are also a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Sautéing soft shell crabs is a quick and easy way to cook them, and it results in a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. Soft shell crabs can be found fresh or frozen at most seafood markets. When buying soft shell crabs, look for ones that are bright red and have a firm texture. Avoid any crabs that are brown or have a slimy texture.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC AND BUTTER



Sauteed Soft-shell Crabs with Garlic and Butter image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 32m

Yield 3 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 soft-shell crabs, cleaned and patted dry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup flour
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic, sliced
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup white wine
1 tablespoon butter
Few chive blades, chopped
Essence, for garnish, recipe follows
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Season crabs with salt and pepper and dredge in the flour, shaking off excess. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and saute the crabs until soft, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the crabs and set aside. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the capers and white wine. Cook until wine has reduced to about 1/2. Swirl in the butter and the chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer crabs to a plate, spoon sauce over the crabs and garnish with Essence.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

CRISP SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Crisp Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs image

These crisp sauteed soft-shell crabs go perfectly with Israeli Couscous Salad with Grilled Summer Vegetables, two recipes from chef Alfred Portale.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

12 medium soft-shell crabs
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup rice flakes (also known as poha)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper
6 tablespoons canola oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean crabs by cutting or pulling off the apron that folds under the rear of the crab. Using scissors, snip off the 'face' just behind the eyes. Clean out the gills located on either side of the crab and rinse under cold water. Pat dry and set aside.
  • In a shallow dish, mix together whole egg, yolk, and flour to create a paste. Place 1/2 cup rice flakes in the bowl of a small food processor and process to a coarse powder. Transfer ground rice flakes to a shallow dish along with remaining rice flakes, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; stir to combine. Lightly brush the top of each crab with the paste mixture and then coat with the rice flake mixture.
  • Divide oil between two ovenproof 12-inch skillets and heat over high heat. Add 6 crabs, shell side down, to each skillet and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Turn crabs and transfer skillets to oven. Roast crabs until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

CRISPY SOFT SHELL CRABS



Crispy Soft Shell Crabs image

Make and share this Crispy Soft Shell Crabs recipe from Food.com.

Provided by susie cooks

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 soft shelled crabs, cleaned
1 cup milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup salted butter
4 soft brioche bread or 4 hamburger buns with sesame seeds, split and lightly toasted
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
your favorite Coleslaw (optional)

Steps:

  • Soak the crabs in milk for 30 minutes. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, ginger, paprika and garlic powder in a bag; dredge crabs in the mixture.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the crabs until golden-brown, 5 minutes per side.
  • Spread buns with mayonnaise; top each with a crab. Dollop with coleslaw, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.2, Fat 19.1, SaturatedFat 9.5, Cholesterol 59.2, Sodium 278.4, Carbohydrate 24.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 1.1, Protein 8.6

FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB



Fried Soft-Shell Crab image

These crabs are fried to a light crisp, and you can eat the whole crab. It is my favorite food.

Provided by WESBRYANT

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Seafood Main Dish Recipes     Crab

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 soft-shell crabs
1 egg
½ cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups oil for frying, or as needed

Steps:

  • Clean each crab. Lift one pointed side of top shell and remove the gills by pulling them out. Put top shell back down and repeat on other side. On the bottom side remove tail flap by twisting and pulling off. Using a pair of scissors, remove the face by cutting behind the eyes. Rinse the crabs thoroughly with cold water. Dry on paper towels.
  • Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees F). In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk using a fork. In a separate bowl, stir salt and pepper into the flour. Lightly salt the crab, then dip in the flour, dip in the egg, then in the flour again.
  • Carefully place crabs into the deep-fryer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Carefully turn over, and cook until golden on the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve as soon as they are cool enough to eat. You can eat the whole crab.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357.9 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 65.2 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 76 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs image

Ask your fishmonger to clean soft-shell crabs for you. Crabs should be cooked no more than six hours after they are cleaned.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
12 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
12 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
3 lemons, cut in half

Steps:

  • Whisk flour, salt, and pepper; place on a dinner plate. Dredge 2 soft-shell crabs in flour mixture, shaking off excess (make sure crabs are completely coated).
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be very hot but not smoking. Place flour-coated crabs, back side down, in sauté pan; reduce heat to medium if pan starts to smoke. Sauté crabs until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes (do not stand too close to pan; crabs tend to spatter during cooking). Turn crabs over, and cook 2 minutes more.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter and a large pinch of parsley to skillet. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over crabs. Keep warm in a low oven. Repeat process until all the crabs are cooked.

CRUNCHY SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Crunchy Soft-Shell Crabs image

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, quick, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
Buttermilk, for soaking
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup fine cornmeal
1 cup flour
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving optional

Steps:

  • Soak crabs in a bowl of buttermilk.
  • In a deep fryer or saucepan, heat 4 inches of oil to 375 degrees.
  • Whisk together cornmeal and flour, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove crabs from buttermilk, letting excess drip back into bowl. Coat crabs evenly in the cornmeal mixture. Working in batches, fry until golden brown and crisp all over, turning if needed, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. While warm, season with salt. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

SOFT SHELL CRABS MIA



Soft Shell Crabs Mia image

I love soft shell crabs! This recipe comes from the Crabplace.com. It is very easy and very delicious! I have also sauteed these in alittle butter and olive oil.

Provided by susie cooks

Categories     Very Low Carbs

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 soft shelled crabs
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 cups white wine
1/3 cup olive oil
5 -6 drops hot sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced

Steps:

  • Mix everything, except crabs, in a shallow baking dish. Add crabs and cover.
  • Marinate in the fridge for 1/2 hour.
  • Place crabs on a hot grill.
  • Cook for 15 minutes on each side basting and turning often.
  • To decrease cooking time, cover grill with large lid to help circulate the heat evenly.
  • Crabs are done when they are pink/red and slightly crisp, but still moist.
  • Cook time does not include time to marinate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.8, Fat 18.5, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 32.8, Sodium 1146.5, Carbohydrate 3.8, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 1.2, Protein 9.6

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 40m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/2 clove garlic, chopped (any green part removed)
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/4 pound chilled, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 to 2 drops lemon juice (optional)
2 medium leeks
Peanut oil for deep frying
8 hotel or 12 prime crabs, cleaned
Milk for dipping
Flour for dredging
3 tablespoons peanut oil
Parsley or basil leaves for garnishing

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and add shallot and garlic. Cook gently for about two minutes, or until translucent. Add the tomatoes and stir until the juices are released.
  • Turn up the heat and cook until the tomatoes are somewhat dry.
  • Season with salt, pepper and cayenne.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, a few cubes at a time. Adjust seasoning and stir in the parsley and basil. Add lemon if necessary. Keep the sauce warm (do not overheat or it may curdle).
  • Prepare the leeks. Remove the green part and cut the leeks in julienne. Wash and dry them thoroughly. Heat the peanut oil in a deep fryer and fry the leeks until light golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels and salt lightly. Set aside.
  • Prepare the crabs. Dip the crabs in milk, then in seasoned flour. Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet and saute the crabs, starting with the shell side down first, for two minutes. Turn over and saute for one-and-a-half to two minutes on the other side. Drain of paper towels.
  • Serve the crabs on heated plates. If serving two crabs person, spread tomato butter on each plate and place the crabs in a V shape, with the legs facing each other. Mound the fried leeks in the middle of the V and garnish with parsley or basil leaves. If serving three crabs, arrange them in a triangle and mound the the leeks in the center. Garnish.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRAB



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crab image

Categories     Milk/Cream     Shellfish     Sauté     Quick & Easy     Crab     Spring     Parsley     Parade

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
4 small soft-shell crabs, cleaned
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Rèmoulade Sauce , for serving

Steps:

  • 1. Place the milk in a shallow bowl large enough to hold the crabs in a single layer. Add the crabs and let them soak for 1 hour. Drain and discard the milk.
  • 2. Season the flour with salt and pepper in a paper or plastic bag. Lightly dredge each crab in the flour.
  • 3. Heat the oil and butter together in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and sautè the crabs in batches until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Add more oil and butter to the pan if necessary.
  • 4. To serve, place a crab in the center of 4 salad plates and garnish each with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and a small dollop of Rèmoulade Sauce.

Tips:

  • Choose the right crabs: Look for crabs that are about 3 inches wide and have a firm shell. Avoid crabs that are too small or have a soft shell, as they will be difficult to cook.
  • Clean the crabs: Rinse the crabs under cold water and remove any dirt or debris. Cut off the tips of the claws and remove the gills and intestines.
  • Season the crabs: Sprinkle the crabs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Cook the crabs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crabs and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Serve the crabs: Serve the crabs immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular dipping sauces include melted butter, lemon butter, or tartar sauce.

Conclusion:

Crisp sautéed soft-shell crabs are a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish. By following these tips, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy seafood recipe, give crisp sautéed soft-shell crabs a try!

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