Hairy Crab
Steamed hairy crabs, a seasonal delicacy, served simply with a tangy ginger-vinegar dipping sauce. The sweet, rich meat is the star, and the roe is a prized treat.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 18g
Ingredients
6 items — tap to check off
Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.
Open the appInstructions
Step 1
Scrub the 4 live hairy crabs under cold running water with a brush, paying attention to the legs and claws. Do not remove the strings that tie them.
Step 2
Fill a large pot with 2 cups water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
Step 3
Place the crabs upside down on the steamer basket. Cover and steam over high heat until the shells turn bright orange and the crabs are cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 4
While the crabs steam, peel and finely mince the 1-inch piece of ginger. In a small bowl, combine the minced ginger, 3 tbsp black vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Step 5
Carefully remove the hot crabs from the steamer using tongs. Place them on a serving platter, still tied.
Step 6
Serve the crabs hot with the ginger-vinegar dipping sauce on the side. Untie the crabs at the table and enjoy the meat and roe.
Step 7
To eat, twist off the legs and claws, crack the shells, and dip the meat in the sauce. Discard the inedible gills and stomach sac.
Tools you’ll need
- Large pot with steamer basket
- Tongs
- Small bowl
- Brush
- Knife and cutting board
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is an iPhone and Android app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations. Try it free for 7 days.
