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How to Prepare Soft-Shell Blue Crab

Soft-shell crabs are just blue crabs that have shed their shells and haven't grown new ones yet. Although they don't need to be cracked, soft-shell crabs do need to be prepared for cooking.

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    Difficulty:
    Moderately Easy

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • Soft-shell Blue Crabs
    • Kitchen Shears
      • 1

        Use kitchen shears to cut off crab's face, slicing about 1/4 inch behind the eyes.

      • 2

        Pull up one side of the soft upper shell, leaving it intact, and remove the spongy gills underneath.

      • 3

        Do the same on the crab's other side.

      • 4

        Turn over and pull off belly flap, or "apron," which is triangle-shaped.

      • 5

        Rinse crab with cold water.

      • 6

        Pat dry.

      • 7

        Cook crab as desired.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Prepare crabs while they're still alive.

    • Soft-shell crabs can be eaten whole, so you don't need to remove their shells after cooking.

    • Watch out for the pincers of live crabs.

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