Whenever possible, soft-shell crabs should be purchased alive so they’re at their freshest. Store live soft-shells uncovered in the fridge on ice for no more than one day.
Video: Juli Roberts demonstrates how to kill and clean soft-shell crabs.
Recipe: Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches with Spicy Tartar Sauce.
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Step one: Rinse the crab under cold running water. | |
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Step two: Using a pair of poultry shears, quickly cut off the front of the crab about 1/4 inch behind the eyes. This kills the crab. | |
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Step three: Lift up the tapered points on each side of the top shell to reveal the gills. Pull out and discard them. | |
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Step four: Turn the crab over and pull off the bottom part of the shell, called the apron. |
