Classic Fried Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches With Lettuce and Tomato Recipe

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Senior Culinary Director
Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.
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Updated Aug. 29, 2018
20170602-fried-soft-shell-crab-sandwich-vicky-wasik-11.jpg
Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • A light beer batter provides just enough of a crispy shell, without weighing the crab down.
  • A simple sandwich, with tender toasted bread, lettuce, tomato, and a basic condiment, adds all the flavor and texture you need, but doesn't compete with the crab unnecessarily.

Fried soft-shell crabs are a seasonal treat, and there's hardly a better way to enjoy them than on a sandwich with tender toasted bread, lettuce, and tomato, plus your choice of mayo, tartar sauce, or remoulade. Battered in a light and crispy shell, the crabs are the rightful stars of the sandwich.

Recipe Facts

5

(1)

Active: 30 mins
Total: 30 mins
Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

  • Peanut, vegetable, or canola oil, for frying

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (4 1/2 ounces; 130g), divided

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (1 ounce; 30g)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • Large pinch paprika

  • 4 large soft-shell crabs, preferably jumbo or “whale” size, cleaned

  • 6 ounces (175ml) light beer

  • 4 toasted soft burger buns

  • Mayonnaise, tartar sauce, or remoulade, for serving

  • Shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce, for serving

  • Thinly sliced tomato, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet, preheat about 1/2 inch oil to 350°F (177°C). In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup (65g) flour with cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, baking powder, and paprika and whisk to combine. Place remaining 1/2 cup flour in a shallow bowl.

  2. Add crabs to plain flour and toss gently to coat. Add beer to flour/cornstarch mixture and whisk until a batter has just formed; it's okay if a few small lumps of dry flour remain.

  3. Working with one at a time, lift a crab from flour and shake off excess. Dip in batter, turning to coat, then lift, allowing excess batter to drain back into bowl. Carefully lower crab into hot oil. Repeat with remaining crabs.

  4. Cook, turning at least once, until batter is golden and crispy on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted fish spatula, transfer crabs to paper towels to drain and sprinkle immediately with salt.

  5. Smear top and bottom of each bun with mayo, tartar sauce, or remoulade. Add shredded lettuce to each bottom bun, followed by a slice or two of tomato. Top each with a fried crab and close sandwiches. Serve right away.

Special equipment

Instant-read thermometer, slotted fish spatula

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
486 Calories
25g Fat
42g Carbs
22g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 486
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 780mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 11mg 54%
Calcium 194mg 15%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 469mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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