Best 7 Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs Recipes

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Welcome to the world of culinary delights, where succulent flavors dance on your palate and aromatic scents fill the air. Join us on a delectable journey as we explore the art of sautéing soft shell crabs, a dish that captivates the senses with its tender texture and burst of flavors. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the secrets of selecting the freshest crabs, mastering the art of preparation, and crafting a symphony of flavors through the perfect combination of seasonings and accompaniments. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will transform your kitchen into a haven of taste and satisfaction.

Here are our top 7 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.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH CAPER BROWN BUTTER



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs with Caper Brown Butter image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 medium soft-shell crabs, cleaned and rinsed
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 lemon, juiced
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • To prepare the soft-shell crabs: Put the flour in a pie dish or plate and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Dredge the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat, shaking off the excess. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high flame. Lay the crabs in the hot oil in a single layer without crowding; you may have to fry them in batches. Be careful, the crabs have a tendency to pop and spatter. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and cover to keep warm.
  • Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the pan. Let the butter melt and cook until it just begins to brown. Add the capers and wine; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until almost dry. Add the lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Pour the caper brown butter sauce over the crabs and serve with lemon wedges.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH TOMATOES



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs With Tomatoes image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot finely chopped
1/2 clove of garlic, chopped
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoon fresh basil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 tablespoons capers
Flour for dredging
Peanut oil for deep frying, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep
8 ready-to-cook soft-shell crabs
Milk for dipping
Flour for dredging
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons peanut oil
Parsley or basil leaves for garnishing
4 lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in saute pan and add shallot and garlic. Cook gently for about two minutes or until the shallot has softened. Add tomatoes and basil and stir until juices are released.
  • Turn up heat and cook until tomatoes are somewhat dry. Remove from heat, swirl in the butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
  • Rinse capers, dry them and sprinkle them with flour. Heat peanut oil and fry capers until light golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard oil.
  • Prepare crabs. Dip crabs in milk, then in flour, season with salt and pepper. Heat three tablespoons peanut oil in large skillet and saute the crabs, starting with the shell side, the crab's top side, down first, for a few minutes. Turn over and saute for one and a half to two minutes on underside. Drain on paper towels.
  • Serve crabs on heated individual plates. Divide the tomatoes among four plates and place crabs on top. Sprinkle with the fried capers and garnish with parsley or basil leaves and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 514, UnsaturatedFat 36 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 49 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 514 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC AND BUTTER RECIPE



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs With Garlic And Butter Recipe image

Provided by á-170456

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 soft-shell crabs cleaned, patted dry
Salt to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
1 cup flour
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves sliced
2 tablespoons capers drained
1/2 cup white wine
1 tablespoon butter
Few chive blades chopped
Essence for garnish (see Bayou Blast recipe)

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. This recipe yields 3 appetizer servings.

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 CRABS WITH SHRIMP AMANDINE



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs With Shrimp Amandine image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 large soft-shell crabs
8 medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons chopped parsley

Steps:

  • Place the crabs right side up on a cutting board. Cut off the protruding eyes with a knife. Turn each crab on its back. Remove the triangular shaped apron. Lift the flap on each side, and remove the spongy gill tissue underneath. Rinse the crabs with cold water, and pat them dry with paper towels.
  • Place one shrimp in each pocket where the gills were removed.
  • Place the crabs in a low dish and add the milk, Tabasco and salt and pepper to taste. Blend well; turn the crabs to coat them with the milk mixture. Drain.
  • Place the flour on a flat dish, and carefully dredge the crabs in flour. Shake, and remove any excess.
  • Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet that will hold the crabs in one layer. Add the crabs. Cook on one side over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the crabs are golden brown. Turn, and cook on the other side until golden brown. The total cooking time should be about 7 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness. Transfer the crabs to a warm serving plate, and keep warm.
  • Pour off the fat from the skillet, and wipe it clean with paper towels. Add the butter, and when melted, add the sliced almonds. Cook, shaking, until the almonds become lightly browned. Add the lemon juice, blend well by shaking the pan, and pour over the crabs. Sprinkle with the parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 366, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 283 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 medium soft-shell crabs
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Flour for dredging
Salt and pepper to taste
8 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • To clean the crabs: With a small knife cut off the apron at the rear of the body. Turn the crab and cut off the face at the point just behind the eyes. Lift each point of the crab at the sides and with your fingers clean out the feathery gills. Wash under cold water.
  • Toast almonds until golden.
  • Season flour with salt and pepper and dredge crabs lightly in flour. heat butter and oil in 1 or 2 skillets large enough to hold the crabs in a single layer and saute about 3 minutes on each side, until golden. Top with almonds and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 230, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 193 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • When selecting soft-shell crabs, choose ones that are lively and have a fresh, briny smell.
  • Clean the crabs thoroughly before cooking by removing the gills, mouthparts, and intestinal tract.
  • To prevent the crabs from sticking to the pan, make sure it is well-heated before adding the crabs.
  • Cook the crabs over medium heat until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
  • Serve the crabs immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as melted butter, lemon juice, or tartar sauce.

Conclusion:

Sautéed soft-shell crabs are a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. With their tender meat and crispy shells, these crabs are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and delicious seafood meal, give sautéed soft-shell crabs a try!

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