Best 8 Soft Shell Crabs On The Grill Recipes

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**Savor the Delicacy of Soft-Shell Crabs on the Grill: A Culinary Journey of Coastal Flavors**

Indulge in the coastal delicacy of soft-shell crabs, a culinary treasure that graces the tables of seafood enthusiasts worldwide. These tender and flavorful crabs, known for their soft exoskeleton, present a unique opportunity to savor their delicate meat without the hassle of removing the hard shell. Prepare to embark on a grilling adventure as we unveil a collection of mouthwatering recipes that capture the essence of soft-shell crabs, transforming them into grilled masterpieces. From classic preparations to innovative flavor combinations, these recipes promise an explosion of taste that will leave you craving more. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate grilled soft-shell crab experience!

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

SOFT-SHELL CRABS ON THE GRILL



Soft-Shell Crabs on the Grill image

Kick dinner up a notch with this soft-shell crab recipe, courtesy of chef Emeril Lagasse.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 3

6 soft-shell crabs
1/4 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Rinse crabs under cold running water; brush them with a small brush if necessary to remove any dirt from their shells. Twist off and discard apron. Fold back the pointed sides of the top shell to expose gills; remove gills on both sides. Using kitchen scissors, cut across the front of the crab about 1/4-inch behind the eyes and mouth; squeeze out the small sac located directly behind the mouth.
  • Preheat a grill with the lid down or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Brush crabs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place crabs on grill and cover. Cook, turning crabs every couple minutes and basting them with remaining olive oil, until they turn orange and are cooked through, 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from grill and serve immediately.

GRILLED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs image

Provided by Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 to 8 soft-shell crabs
Lemon Butter Sauce, recipe follows
Sliced tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese
1 pound butter
8 to 10 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt

Steps:

  • Clean crabs by removing gills and cutting off the eyes and mouth.
  • Place crabs on pan or aluminum foil. Place on grill over a low fire. Baste the crabs with the Lemon Butter Sauce. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Continue to baste during cooking. Before serving, top each crab with a slice of tomato and a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Allow cheese to melt. Remove from grill. Serve immediately.
  • Add lemon juice and other seasonings. Seasonings may be adjusted for personal taste. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.

BBQ SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GRILLED VIDALIA ONIONS



BBQ Soft-Shell Crabs with Grilled Vidalia Onions image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h23m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 soft-shell crabs, rinsed and cleaned
2 sticks margarine or butter (margarine will cause less flaring)
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 teaspoons hot sauce
2 small lemons, juiced
4 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
Grilled Vidalia Onions, recipe follows
4 small Vidalia onions
4 tablespoons dry vegetable seasoning
4 cups extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Melt margarine over low-medium heat and add olive oil, salt, pepper, hot sauce, lemon juice, and bacon. Simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool.
  • Place the cleaned crabs on plate. Liberally coat the crabs with the sauce, making sure to lift the sides of the shell to coat the meat inside. Save remaining sauce for basting. Cover the crabs and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Heat grill to medium-low.
  • Place crabs on grill topside down. Baste with remaining sauce while they cook. Cook crabs about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. The crab will crisp on the outside and the meat inside will turn white.
  • Remove from grill and serve topped with Grilled Vidalia Onions.
  • Heat griddle or nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
  • Peel onions and cut into thin rings. Toss rings with seasoning and olive oil.
  • Cook until onions turn clear and start to caramelize. Serve over grilled crab.

GRILLED SOFT-SHELL CRABS RECIPE



Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs Recipe image

Fried or broiled soft-shell crabs are delicious, but you can grill them too and they are just as tasty with a smoky flavor. This recipe shows how easy it is.

Provided by Molly Watson

Categories     Appetizer     Dinner     Entree     Lunch     Snack

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 2

18 soft-shell blue crabs (cleaned)
8 tablespoons butter (melted, or neutral cooking oil)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Rinse the crabs in running cool water and reserve. Heat a grill to medium-hot-you should be able to hold your hand about an inch over the cooking grate for 3 to 4 seconds before pulling it away from the heat.
  • Pat the crabs dry with paper towels. Liberally brush the crabs all over with melted butter or oil and set them on the hot grill.
  • Cover the grill and cook until the crabs are lightly browned on the cooking grate side, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Flip the crabs over, brush with more butter, and cook until they are browned on the second side and cooked through, or about 10 minutes in total. Use tongs to remove the crabs from the grill.
  • Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 469 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Cholesterol 398 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 67 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 1457 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 18 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

GRILLED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     dinner, easy, lunch, quick, main course

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons minced shallots
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 ounces white port
3 ounces heavy cream
1 2-inch slice fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
4 ounces unsalted butter, chopped in pieces
Coarse salt and cayenne pepper to taste
8 jumbo soft-shell crabs, cleaned
2 tablespoons olive oil
Freshly ground white pepper to taste
1 large scallion, thinly sliced
1 small bunch fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Steps:

  • Place the shallots in a saucepan with the lime juice and port. Reduce over medium heat until two tablespoons of sauce remain (five to seven minutes). Add heavy cream and grated ginger. Bring to a boil and reduce by a third to three tablespoons.
  • Reduce heat to very low and whisk in the butter, a small piece at a time. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer and add a few more drops of lime juice if necessary. Keep warm (be careful not to overheat or the sauce may curdle).
  • Preheat broiler or outdoor grill.
  • Brush the crabs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill three to four minutes on each side, until crisp and a deep reddish brown.
  • Arrange the crabs on a serving platter, drizzle sauce over them and sprinkle with scallions and coriander.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 420, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 38 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Sodium 357 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 1 gram

GRILLED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH OLD BAY TARTAR SAUCE



Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs With Old Bay Tartar Sauce image

Make and share this Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs With Old Bay Tartar Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 38m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

12 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
12 soft shelled crabs, cleaned
6 slices white bread
6 lettuce leaves (Boston or Bibb lettuce)
1 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup mayonnaise
1 -2 pickled jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped pickle (preferably cornichons)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon basil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: add mayonnaise, peppers, capers, pickles, lemon juice, chives, tarragon, mustard, and Old Bay seasoning to a bowl; whisk to mix.
  • Season to taste with black pepper; sauce can be refrigerated, covered, for at least 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.
  • The crabs: melt the butter in a small saucepan over med-high heat.
  • Add in garlic, shallot, and Old Bay seasoning; cook until the garlic and shallot have lost their rawness, about 2 minutes; they should be soft and translucent; do not let them brown; set flavored butter aside.
  • Set up grill for direct grilling; preheat to high.
  • When ready to cook brush and oil the grill grate; brush the crabs on both sides with some of the flavored butter.
  • Place the crabs on the hot grate and grill until cooked through, about 2-4 minutes per side, basting with some of the flavored butter.
  • When done, the shells will turn bright red.
  • Brush the bread slices with the remaining flavored butter and grill them as well, about 1 minute per side.
  • To serve: slather the toast with some of the Old Bay Tartar Sauce; place a lettuce leaf, a few tomato slices, and 2 soft-shell crabs on top.
  • Serve with the remaining tartar sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474.7, Fat 37.6, SaturatedFat 16.8, Cholesterol 104, Sodium 734.1, Carbohydrate 25.2, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 4.6, Protein 11

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

GRILLED SOFT SHELL CRABS WITH JICAMA SALAD



Grilled Soft Shell Crabs With Jicama Salad image

Make and share this Grilled Soft Shell Crabs With Jicama Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by susie cooks

Categories     Crab

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 medium jicama, peeled and julienned
3 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and julienned
1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
salt, to taste
2 medium tomatoes, diced
3 serrano chilies, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 medium white onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 avocado, peeled and diced
8 soft shelled crabs, cleaned
1 lime, cut into wedges

Steps:

  • Combine jicama, cucumber, and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro in a medium bowl. Dress with 4 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons lime juice. Season with salt, mix well and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine tomatoes, chiles, garlic, onions, avocado and remaining chopped cilantro. Dress with remaining lime juice, season with salt, mix gently and set aside.
  • Lightly brush a hot grill or grill pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Brush crabs with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, then place on grill and cook until firm, about 2 or more minutes on each side.
  • To serve, divide jicama salad and tomato-avocado salsa between four plates. Top each plate with 2 crabs and garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 458, Fat 32.1, SaturatedFat 4.6, Cholesterol 32.8, Sodium 145.2, Carbohydrate 36.2, Fiber 14.5, Sugar 10.7, Protein 12.4

Tips:

  • Choose crabs that are fresh and have a sweet, briny smell.
  • Clean the crabs thoroughly before cooking.
  • Use a sharp knife to split the crabs in half.
  • Remove the gills and intestines.
  • Rinse the crabs again under cold water.
  • Pat the crabs dry with paper towels.
  • Season the crabs with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
  • Grill the crabs over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
  • Serve the crabs with your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion:

Soft-shell crabs are a delicious and versatile seafood that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Whether you grill, fry, or sauté them, soft-shell crabs are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. So next time you're looking for a new seafood recipe, give soft-shell crabs a try!

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