Best Ways To Choose And Prepare Fresh Stone Crabs

Florida stone crabs have gained popularity all over the world because of their unique and sweet flavor. Stone crabs are known for their flaky meat and often seem like a mixture of shrimp and lobster. They have to be served cold and the complex flavor of the meat makes it a perfect appetizer – it tastes delicious with butter-based sauces or mustard sauce.

So, if you are new to eating stone crabs and don’t know how to choose fresh ones and prepare them to perfection, we are sharing some tips with you!

Choosing The Fresh Stone Crabs

Needless to say, fresh stone crabs from fish markets taste better as compared to frozen crabs that may be sold in markets or  served in restaurants. So, if you have never purchased the stone crabs and don’t know if they are fresh or not, check for the following;

• First, check the sheen on their claws. If the claws are shiny, the stone crabs are fresh
• Second, check the meat’s texture. Fresh stone crabs have juicy and tender meat but it won’t be slimy
• Third, fresh crab meat will easily peel away from the shell as compared to frozen crabs because their meat will stick to the shell

Preparing The Stone Crabs

When you get your hands on the stone crabs, keep in mind that they have to be flash-cooked before they are shipped because overcooking can damage the flavor and texture of the crabs. So, start by taking off the wrapping, and once the wrapping is removed, wash them under cold water. In addition, they must be dried for fifteen minutes to make sure they are well-dried.

Once dried, fill a bowl with ice cubes and put all the crabs in it – put this bowl in the refrigerator for one hour before you start the cooking process. However, the temperature of crabs must be 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that the stone crabs are at the right temperature, you can try the following methods to prepare the stone crabs for serving.

Boiling or steaming is the best option to ensure the succulence of the meat. This is because it helps maintain the water content and texture of the meat. As far as seasoning is concerned, it’s not recommended because boiling will take it away, so just serve them with sauce.

If you have chilled the crabs, microwave reheating is a reliable way of preparing the stone crabs. That’s because microwave ovens can infuse heat to the core of the food and excessive exposure to heat can lead to overcooking of the meat. Also, it’s recommended that you crack the claws before putting the crabs in the microwave.

Grilling is the ultimate way of achieving a firm and succulent meat. To grill the crabs, you have to preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and baste them with a bit of olive oil.

So, are you ready to enjoy the delicious goodness of stone crabs?  Head over to your favorite local fish market or, if you don't want to do the dishes, you can find some great restaurants in the Beachside Directory.  If you need "crackers", here's an affiliate link to get 'em from Amazon.