How to Clean Soft-Shell Crab

Published on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, by CHOW Video Team / Edit Post

How to Clean Soft-Shell Crab

Mermaid Inn chef Laurence Edelman says soft-shell crab should always be prepared fresh, which means removing the lungs and cutting off the face before cooking. Warning: The video’s graphic.

CHOW Tips are the shared wisdom of our community. If you’ve figured out some piece of food, drink, or cooking wisdom that you’d like to share on video (and you can be in San Francisco), email Meredith Arthur and tell us what you’ve got in mind.

ALLCHOW Tip
POST A COMMENT |10 Comments

COMMENT

  • uh....there is a clear hair gel looking substance that needs to be squeezed out as well. And the yellow stuff, which is said to acumulate harmful stuff like mercury. And I'm not crazy about leaving those pink sacs in there either.

  • After you cut off the head you have to reach in and pull out the stomach which usually has sand in it that can break teeth.
    In terms of taking off the head first, it usually squiggles less if you remove the genitalia first.

  • I just eat my soft shell crabs like one would an apple. Am I not doing it right?

  • uhh...you forgot to pinch out the sand sac.

  • Nice Video. taught me . thank you for sharing.

  • 'Nickle', believe me, cleaning a soft shell crab is as easy as it looks.
    I personally never cut out that much of the face though. Just the eyes and the very outer edge.
    Soft shell crab with a tarragon Butter over homemade linguini is absolutely delicious!!! Try it with an Ice cold Prosecco/Cava.

  • clip was not clear on identifing apron and lungs. To understand it you almost have to have a soft shell in your hands, without clearer picture of crab.

  • Wouldn't ripping off the lungs kill it too? The piece is informative - thanks. I've been working on getting closer to the whole animal experience with the food I eat, and this is another good step.

  • That was straightforward and honest. Awesome.

  • Uhh, I think if you're concerned that "it's a little brutal", then one should reverse the steps so that the face of the crab is cut first and the crab is killed, rather than tear it apart while it's alive.