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Breaded soft shell crab sandwich in a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato slices.
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Pan Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich - Simple Recipe

Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches are to die for! You get the sweet, savory, crispy, and juicy goodness all packed in a sandwich! 
Course Seafood
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 4 Sandwiches
Calories 496kcal
Author Jocelyn | JOZmahal
Cost $15

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • 4 soft shell crabs cleaned
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon Herbes de Provence seasoned salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup low-fat milk
  • 4 Brioche buns lightly buttered and toasted
  • 1 to mato sliced
  • 4 Green Leaf Lettuce
  • Lemon
  • Mayonnaise Mustard and/or Tartar Sauce

Instructions

For Soft Shell Crabs

  • Gently clean crabs by rinsing them in cold water. Dry the soft shell crabs and use paper towels to remove any excess water. Set aside.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, cornmeal, Old Bay seasoning, seasoned salt, and pepper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, prepare the milk bath by combining milk with Old Bay seasoning.  
  • Dredge crabs by doing the "three-step dredging" process. That is dry, wet, and dry. See "Top Tip" below. Set the crabs on a plate then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  • Set the crabs on a plate or flat baking sheet then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  • On medium-high heat, add olive oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet. Fry the crabs two at a time for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the oil.

For the Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches

  • For the brioche buns, I like mine slightly toasted. It adds an extra texture to the sandwich and keeps the buns from getting soggy from the condiments. 
  • Butter the flat side of the buns then toast them in an ar-fryer or warm skillet.
  • Spread the buns with mayonnaise, mustard, and/or tartar sauce. Place the fried crabs on the buns then top with lettuce and tomato.
  • Serve with coleslaw or potato chips with a side of cocktail sauce and a slice of lemon.

Notes

  • Time-saving tips: Get the soft shell crabs already cleaned.
  • For more flavor: Squeeze fresh lemon juice and/or a dash of Old Bay Seasoning on top of the soft-shell crab.