How To Cook Soft Shelled Crab
Perhaps the best and least messy way to enjoy these crustaceans, soft shell crab is a choice delicacy in the culinary world. By catching the crabs right as they have shed their hard exoskeleton, the softened shell means that you can eat these crabs without all the cracking and pinching and peeling. Often deep fried, this is one of our favorite ways to eat seafood, especially when also paired with a mango salsa and jalapeno lime aioli.
Learn how to prepare soft-shelled crab with our online culinary school chef in this step-by-step video. You won’t believe how easy it is!
Soft Shell Crab
Crab Ingredients
4 soft shell crabs (cleaned)
¼ cup of all-purpose flour
1 tsp old bay seafood seasoning
¼ cup vegetable oil
Mango Salsa Ingredients
1 mango, peeled, seeded and chopped
¼ cup red onion, chopped
¼ cup red pepper, chopped
2 sprigs of cilantro
1 fresh jalapeño, chopped
1 tbsp lime juice
Jalapeño Lime Aioli Inredients
¾ cup heavy mayonnaise
2 cloves of garlic
1 fresh jalapeño chopped
½ lime juiced
¼ cup cilantro
Preparation
1. In a bowl, combine chopped mango, onion, red pepper, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice. Let sit for a half hour before using.
2. Blend the mayonnaise, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice using a blender or food processor. Cover and place in refrigerator.
3. Combine flour with old bay seasoning. Season crab with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour-shaking excess flour. In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil and sautée the crabs until soft, about 2 minutes on each side.
4. Serve crab with mango salsa and jalapeño aioli.