Seafood Recipes

Fried SoftshellCrab

Soft-shell crabs are dredged in seasoned flour and fried until golden, then finished with a lemon butter sauce of capers and fresh parsley.

Fried Softshell Crab
4 People
Serves
25 Mins
Prep Time
5 Mins
Cook Time
Easy
Difficulty
Asian
Cuisine
The Recipe

About This SeafoodDish

Fried softshell crabs make for a crispy and delicious seafood treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Coated in seasoned flour and sautéed to golden perfection, these crabs are complemented by a rich lemon-butter sauce. With capers and fresh parsley adding a burst of flavor, this dish is easy to prepare and offers a delightful crunch with each bite. Serve it as a main dish or appetizer, and enjoy the fresh taste of the ocean in every mouthful. Order fresh soft-shell crabs from Pearl Seafoods for your next seafood feast.

Ingredients

  1. 4 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
  2. 1 cup plain flour
  3. Salt
  4. Black pepper
  5. 6 tablespoons butter
  6. 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
  7. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  8. 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  9. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  10. Vegetable oil for frying

Method

  1. Lift one pointed side of the top shell of one crab; pull out and discard the gills. Lower the shell and repeat on the other side. Remove the tail flap on the bottom side by twisting and pulling. Use a pair of scissors to cut behind the eyes and remove the face. Repeat to clean remaining crabs. Rinse cleaned crabs thoroughly with cold water, then dry on paper towels.
  2. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365°F (180°C).
  3. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Lightly salt each crab, then dredge in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess.
  4. Working in batches if necessary, carefully lower the crabs into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on one side, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully turn and cook until golden brown on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foaming. Stir in the capers, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir through the parsley. Spoon the lemon-butter sauce over the fried crabs to serve.
From Our Kitchen

Chef's Tip

Fried soft-shell crab is all about crisp texture and rich buttery flavour. A light seasoned coating creates a delicate golden crunch while the crab inside stays tender, juicy, and naturally sweet. The lemon-butter sauce, capers, and parsley add brightness, saltiness, and freshness that cut beautifully through the richness, creating a seafood dish that feels indulgent, vibrant, and full of flavour.

FEATURED

FeaturedProduct

Sale
Whole frozen soft-shell crab displayed on black slate with crushed ice and lemon

Frozen Softshell Crab

1kg

Whole softshell crab, cleaned and ready to fry or grill...

$35.00 kg
$38.00 $35.00 kg
VIEW PRODUCT
NUTRITION

NutritionPerServing

  • Calories 420 kcal
  • Total Fat 24.0 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 20.0 g
  • Protein 22.0 g
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