Best 9 Soft Shell Crab With Lemon Herb Butter And Spring Vegetable Ragout Recipes

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Calling all seafood lovers! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey with our Soft-Shell Crab with Lemon-Herb Butter and Spring Vegetable Ragout. This dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent soft-shell crabs enveloped in a luscious lemon-herb butter, accompanied by a vibrant spring vegetable ragout.

The soft-shell crabs are the stars of the show, boasting a delicate and tender texture that pairs perfectly with the zesty lemon-herb butter. The butter is infused with a medley of aromatic herbs, including parsley, thyme, and chives, which dance on your palate with every bite.

Complementing the soft-shell crabs is the vibrant spring vegetable ragout, a colorful medley of fresh seasonal vegetables. Baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and tender asparagus come together in a delightful harmony of flavors and textures. The ragout is further enhanced by a delicate white wine sauce, adding a touch of sophistication to the dish.

This recipe provides detailed instructions, ensuring even novice cooks can recreate this restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of their own kitchens. It includes tips on how to properly clean and prepare the soft-shell crabs, as well as step-by-step guidance on making the lemon-herb butter and spring vegetable ragout. With its captivating flavors and stunning presentation, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends, making it an ideal choice for special occasions or a delightful weekend treat.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

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.

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.

PAN SEARED WILD ROCKFISH AND SOFT SHELL CRAB TEMPURA WITH GINGER AND YUZU GLAZE, CUCUMBER AND TOASTED NORI



Pan Seared Wild Rockfish and Soft Shell Crab Tempura with Ginger and Yuzu Glaze, Cucumber and Toasted Nori image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 34

1 quart peanut oil, for frying
Canola oil, as needed
1 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lime, about 2 tablespoons
8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over
Kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 (5-ounce) wild rockfish fillets, skin on
6 soft shell crabs, cleaned
Tempura Batter, recipe follows
Yuzu Glaze, recipe follows
Nori Flakes, recipe follows
1/2 bunch scallions, green part only, thinly sliced
2 fresh red chiles, thinly sliced, seeded
Toasted Nori Triangles, recipe follows
1 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
10 ounces club soda
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 orange, juiced
1 1/2 cups yuzu juice concentrate
1/2 cup lite soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon Asian chili garlic paste, such as sambal oelek
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 sheet nori
1 sheet nori
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a deep saucepan, heat canola oil to 375 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, toss cucumbers with rice vinegar, set aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine about 1 tablespoon canola oil and the ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add heavy cream and lime juice, boil until reduced by half. Fold in crabmeat, season mixture with salt, set aside.
  • Place flour on a plate. Season the rockfish with salt and lightly dredge in flour, shaking off the excess.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat about 1 tablespoon canola oil. Add rockfish, skin side down, just until skin is crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook to brown other side, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove fillets to a cutting board, cut fillets in half horizontally. Top half the pieces with the crab mixture and sandwich back together. Wrap portions individually in waxed or parchment paper.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake until fish is cooked through and crab stuffing is hot, about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, dip crabs in Tempura Batter and fry until lightly brown and crispy, about 3 minutes, drain quickly on paper towel and cut in half.
  • To serve: On the bottom of the plate, place a few cucumber slices. Drizzle with Yuzu Glaze. Remove rockfish from waxed paper and sprinkle sides with some of the Nori Flakes. Place rockfish over cucumber, plate soft shell crab next to fish. Sprinkle with scallions and chilies. Sprinkle with remaining Nori Flakes and stick a Toasted Nori Triangle in each crab half.
  • In a medium stainless steel bowl, whisk together rice flour, cornstarch, salt and ginger. Whisk in club soda. Refrigerate or keep this batter on ice until ready to fry. You may need to whisk in additional flour or water to adjust the batter if it stands.
  • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine ginger, orange juice, yuzu juice, soy sauce and chili garlic paste. Bring to a simmer.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and the 1 tablespoon water. Cook, without stirring, until the mixture turns a dark amber color, about 5 to 10 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally to prevent burning.
  • When the sugar reaches the desired color, carefully whisk in the simmering yuzu mixture. Return to a simmer. Whisk the cornstarch with enough water to form a smooth slurry. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the yuzu mixture a little at a time, letting it return to a boil between additions, until the mixture has thickened to a glaze. You may not need all of the cornstarch.
  • Tear nori into small pieces. Grind to a fine powder in batches in a coffee or spice grinder.
  • Using a sharp knife cut to cut nori into 12 small triangles.
  • In a medium skillet over medium heat, add sesame oil. Add triangles, cook, turning once, until crisped and shiny on both sides, about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels.

SOFT-SHELLED CRABS MEUNIèRE



Soft-Shelled Crabs Meunière image

A quick fry of soft-shelled crabs gets topped with brown butter and parsley.

Categories     Shellfish     Sauté     Quick & Easy     Lemon     Crab     Spring     Parsley     Gourmet

Yield Makes 2 (main-course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 small (4-inch-wide) live soft-shelled crabs, cleaned
1 cup Wondra or all-purpose flour
4 tablespoonsClarified Butter
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 3 pieces
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Combine milk, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish and soak crabs 5 minutes. Lift 1 crab out of milk, letting excess drip off, and dredge in flour. Knock off excess flour and transfer to a tray. Repeat with remaining crabs, arranging them in 1 layer as coated.
  • Heat clarified butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté crabs, upside down, 2 minutes. Turn over and sauté until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes more.
  • Transfer crabs to a serving dish. Add butter pieces to skillet and cook until golden brown with a nutty aroma. Add lemon juice and parsley (mixture will bubble up) and remove from heat.
  • Season sauce with salt and pepper and drizzle over crabs.

PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs image

Boom! Pan-fried soft-shell crabs served with lemon-butter and an Asian-inspired ginger and scallion soy sauce.

Provided by ERIKIM21

Time 20m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 13

¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
3 (4.5 ounce) soft-shell crabs, cleaned
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
1 tablespoon Creole mustard
½ tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine flour and seafood seasoning in a resealable zip-top bag. Seal and shake to mix. Combine egg and milk in a bowl. Dredge crabs in egg mixture, then add to seasoned flour and shake to coat. Shake off excess when removing from bag.
  • Heat olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add crabs in a single layer and cook for 3 minutes; flip and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Remove to a serving dish.
  • Mix mayonnaise, chives, pickle juice, mustard, seafood seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together for remoulade. Serve with crabs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Cholesterol 100.4 mg, Fat 48 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 10.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 1224.1 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND ALMONDS



Soft-Shell Crab With Preserved Lemon and Almonds image

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, quick, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
4 soft-shell crabs, cleaned (see note)
8 tablespoons (1/4 pound) butter, melted
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons diced preserved lemon
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Season the flour for dredging: mix together flour, cumin, coriander, cayenne, paprika and salt in a shallow bowl. Quickly dip both sides of the crabs in flour mixture and shake off excess.
  • Put 4 tablespoons melted butter in a large, wide cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is hot, carefully put in the crabs, top side down. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until well crisped and cooked through. Remove crabs to a warmed platter. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
  • Add 4 more tablespoons melted butter to pan and add sliced almonds. Stir to coat and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add preserved lemon and cilantro and turn off heat.
  • Spoon butter sauce over crabs, surround with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 355, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 68 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram

LEMON GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE FOR CRAB (OR SEAFOOD)



Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce for Crab (or Seafood) image

The name pretty much gives away the recipe, but this is the my favorite way to eat fresh crab (and most other seafood). Be sure to have crusty french bread on hand to soak up the excess. Adjust amounts to your taste.

Provided by Marla Swoffer

Categories     Sauces

Time 2m

Yield 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 3

1/2 cup butter (I sometimes use Smart Balance)
2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice (I sometimes use concentrate)
2 teaspoons garlic powder (I use granulated garlic)

Steps:

  • Combine ingredients and microwave for 1 minute or until melted.
  • Stir and drizzle or dip.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1680, Fat 184.2, SaturatedFat 116.6, Cholesterol 488.1, Sodium 1311, Carbohydrate 13.5, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 4.3, Protein 4

SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH CURRY BUTTER



Soft-Shell Crabs With Curry Butter image

Fans of soft-shell crab look forward to the season - late spring and early summer - with feverish anticipation. The entire delicious crab is edible and may be prepared in many ways; deep-fried, grilled or pan-cooked. Here they are sautéed in a spicy curry butter, which complements the crabs' rich flavor. (The recipe makes more butter than is needed for this dish, but is wonderful to have on hand. Use extra for cooking vegetables or eggs.) Serve 1 large or 2 small soft-shell crabs per person.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
5 cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 pound unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
1/2 teaspoon grated garlic
2 teaspoons grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Zest and juice of 1 lime, and lime wedges for garnish
1/4 cup unsalted roasted almonds, crushed
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1 cup rice flour, for dusting (optional)
4 large soft-shell crabs, about 5 ounces each, cleaned
8 ounces tender pea shoots or baby spinach

Steps:

  • Make the curry butter: Put the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds and cloves in a dry skillet over medium heat. When spices are lightly toasted and fragrant, after a minute or so, grind them to a powder in a mortar or electric spice mill. Add nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne and turmeric.
  • Put butter in a bowl. Add spices, garlic, ginger, salt and lime zest and juice. Mash seasonings into butter with a wooden spoon. Add crushed almonds and scallions, then mix until well incorporated. (May be prepared several hours ahead, or up to 1 day in advance.)
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons curry butter, let melt and swirl pan to distribute. Dust crabs lightly with rice flour, if using. When butter is foamy, add crabs in one layer and raise heat. Let crabs cook 3 minutes, then turn, using tongs, and cook 3 minutes on the other side. (Be careful, as crabs may spatter.) Remove crabs and keep warm.
  • Add 4 tablespoons curry butter to pan and let sizzle. Add pea shoots and cook briefly until wilted, 1 minute or less.
  • Arrange crabs on a warm platter or individual plates. Garnish with wilted pea shoots and lime wedges. Spoon melted curry butter from pan over crabs and serve at once.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 604, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 52 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 30 grams, Sodium 649 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 2 grams

SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH LEMON BUTTER



Soft-Shell Crab With Lemon Butter image

Make and share this Soft-Shell Crab With Lemon Butter recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Crab

Time 42m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
fresh ground black pepper
salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
8 soft shelled crabs
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
salt
fresh ground black pepper
lemon slice
fresh parsley sprig

Steps:

  • Make the coating: in a shallow dish, stir the all the coating ingredients together.
  • Remove the feeler underneath the crab shells on both sides; rinse the crab and dry carefully.
  • In a big skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the vegetable oil; add in shallots and saute until lightly softened, about 1 minute.
  • Roll the crabs in the flour mixture and place them in the skillet; saute, turning once, for about 3 minutes on each side.
  • When they have finished cooking and have turned pink, add the lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and cook another minute or two.
  • Make sure the garlic is cooked but not browned; taste for seasoning.
  • Transfer the crabs to individual plates and garnish with lemon and parsley; serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411.3, Fat 31, SaturatedFat 15.7, Cholesterol 126.5, Sodium 253.2, Carbohydrate 16.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 0.9, Protein 17.6

Tips:

  • Choose the Freshest Crabs Possible: Freshness is key when it comes to soft-shell crabs. Look for crabs that are lively and have a bright, blue-green color.
  • Clean the Crabs Properly: It's important to clean the crabs thoroughly before cooking to remove any sand or grit. Gently rinse the crabs under cold water and remove the gills and mouthparts.
  • Cook the Crabs in a Single Layer: When pan-frying the crabs, make sure they are in a single layer in the pan so that they cook evenly.
  • Don't Overcook the Crabs: Soft-shell crabs cook quickly, so it's important not to overcook them. Overcooked crabs will become tough and chewy.
  • Serve the Crabs with a Dipping Sauce: A simple lemon-herb butter sauce is a classic accompaniment to soft-shell crabs. You can also try other dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.

Conclusion:

Soft-shell crabs are a delicious and versatile seafood that can be prepared in a variety of ways. The recipes in this article provide a great starting point for creating your own soft-shell crab dishes. Whether you're looking for a simple pan-fried crab or a more complex dish like the spring vegetable ragout, there's sure to be a recipe here that you'll enjoy. So next time you're looking for a special seafood dish, give soft-shell crabs a try!

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