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How to clean and cut a whole crab
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This step-by-step guide will show you how to clean and cut a whole crab, whether it's a mud crab or another type. Follow along for easy instructions on preparing the crab for cooking, from cleaning to cutting to ensure the freshest and most delicious results.
Ingredients
Scale:
Scale
0.25
0.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
Steps
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Notes
1. Crab types – I’m using mud crab here, this crab breakdown process will work for any large crab that needs to be cut into smaller pieces for cooking and eating. Examples:
Australia – Mud crab, blue swimmer crab, spanner crabUS – Dungeness crab, rock crab, stone crab (similar shape to mud crab)UK – Brown crab (aka edible crab), spider crab
2. Dispatching crab – Crabs should be killed humanely for consumption. Freezing is an easy method of putting the crab in a coma-like state, so it feels no sensation and ceases to move, for butchering. See in post for more details.
3. Cut straight away after removing from the freezer, while the crab is in this physically depressed state. It is still alive but asleep, unable to feel any sensation or move. Live crab freshly cooked = optimum eating experience!
4. Tomalley – This is the crab liver and pancreas, also referred to as “crab mustard” or “crab fat”. This is packed full of crab flavour and should be reserved for use in cooking.
Australia – Mud crab, blue swimmer crab, spanner crabUS – Dungeness crab, rock crab, stone crab (similar shape to mud crab)UK – Brown crab (aka edible crab), spider crab
2. Dispatching crab – Crabs should be killed humanely for consumption. Freezing is an easy method of putting the crab in a coma-like state, so it feels no sensation and ceases to move, for butchering. See in post for more details.
3. Cut straight away after removing from the freezer, while the crab is in this physically depressed state. It is still alive but asleep, unable to feel any sensation or move. Live crab freshly cooked = optimum eating experience!
4. Tomalley – This is the crab liver and pancreas, also referred to as “crab mustard” or “crab fat”. This is packed full of crab flavour and should be reserved for use in cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition facts are based on 1 serving. If servings is not specified, 6 is assumed for the total
recipe.
-
Calories94kcal4%
-
Fat0g0%
-
Saturated Fat0g0%
-
Carbohydrates0g0%
-
Fiber0g0%
-
Sugar0g0%
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Protein19g0%
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Cholesterol40mg2%
-
Sodium216mg10%
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.