Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCrab Du Jour Cajun Seafood & BarSoft Shell Crab Taco Recipe

Soft Shell Crab Taco Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Make Soft Shell Crab Taco Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Taco Ingredients

Frying Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Ingredients

    Clean the soft shell crabs under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the gills and any innards, if necessary. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Dice the avocado and set aside.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Cabbage

    Finely shred the cabbage and place it in a bowl. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the cabbage, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate.

Frying the Crabs

  1. 3

    Prepare the Batter

    In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in the water until the batter is smooth.

  2. 4

    Heat the Oil

    In a large frying pan or deep skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  3. 5

    Fry the Crabs

    Dip each soft shell crab into the batter, allowing the excess to drip off. Carefully place the crabs in the hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the crabs and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Assembling the Tacos

  1. 6

    Warm the Tortillas

    In a dry skillet, warm the corn tortillas over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side until pliable.

  2. 7

    Assemble the Tacos

    On each tortilla, layer some marinated cabbage, a few pieces of the fried soft shell crab, diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top.

  3. 8

    Serve

    Serve the soft shell crab tacos immediately, accompanied by lime wedges on the side.

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