Grilled Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches with Old Bay Tartar Sauce
Experience a perfect summer day’s meal with these delectable Grilled Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches. Each bite brings a harmonious blend of flavors—the sweetness of the crab enhanced by aromatic garlic and Old Bay seasoning, paired with a zesty homemade tartar sauce that will elevate every element. Serve between buttery grilled bread slices with fresh lettuce and juicy tomato slices for a truly unforgettable dish. This refined culinary delight is both simple to prepare and fantastically delicious.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
12 tablespoons (melted)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
shallot
1 (minced)
Old Bay Seasoning
2 teaspoons
soft-shelled crabs
12 (cleaned)
white bread
6 slices
lettuce leaves
6 (Boston or Bibb lettuce)
ripe tomatoes
1 (thinly sliced)
mayonnaise
1 cup
pickled jalapeno pepper
1 (finely chopped)
capers
1 tablespoon (drained)
chopped pickle
1 tablespoon (preferably cornichons)
fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon
fresh chives
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon
Old Bay Seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Prepare the Old Bay Tartar Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely chopped pickled jalapeño peppers, capers, cornichons, fresh lemon juice, chopped chives, chopped tarragon, Dijon mustard, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning. Whisk until well-blended. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week. Bring it to room temperature before serving.
2
Cook the Crabs: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic, shallots, and 2 teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning. Sauté until the garlic and shallots are soft and translucent, approximately 2 minutes, without browning them. Reserve the flavored butter for grilling.
3
Prepare the Grill: Set up your grill for direct grilling and preheat it to high. Once preheated, brush and oil the grill grate thoroughly.
4
Grill the Crabs: Brush both sides of each cleaned soft-shell crab with the prepared flavored butter. Place the crabs on the hot grill grate and cook for 2 to 4 minutes per side, basting occasionally with the flavored butter. The crabs are done when their shells turn bright red.
5
Grill the Bread: Brush the slices of white bread with the remaining flavored butter. Place them on the grill and toast for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
6
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous amount of Old Bay Tartar Sauce onto each slice of grilled bread. Place a fresh lettuce leaf, a few slices of ripe tomato, and two grilled soft-shell crabs on top. Serve immediately with extra tartar sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein used in this sandwich recipe?
The primary protein is 12 cleaned soft-shell crabs.
What specific sauce is served with these crab sandwiches?
The sandwiches are served with a homemade Old Bay Tartar Sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to produce 6 servings.
How long should each soft-shell crab be grilled?
The crabs should be grilled for 2 to 4 minutes per side.
How can I tell when the soft-shell crabs are finished cooking?
The crabs are done when their shells turn bright red.
What type of lettuce is recommended for the sandwich assembly?
Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves are recommended for this recipe.
How long can the Old Bay Tartar Sauce be stored in the refrigerator?
The sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.
What temperature should the tartar sauce be when served?
The sauce should be brought to room temperature before serving.
What kind of bread is used for these sandwiches?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of white bread.
What ingredients are used to flavor the butter for grilling?
The flavored butter includes unsalted butter, minced garlic, minced shallots, and Old Bay Seasoning.
What components are included in the Old Bay Tartar Sauce?
The sauce contains mayonnaise, pickled jalapeño, capers, cornichons, lemon juice, chives, tarragon, Dijon mustard, and Old Bay Seasoning.
To what heat should the grill be preheated?
The grill should be preheated to high for direct grilling.
How long should the white bread be toasted on the grill?
The bread should be toasted for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
Do the soft-shell crabs need any preparation before cooking?
Yes, the crabs should be cleaned and then brushed with flavored butter before grilling.
Is there a spicy element in the tartar sauce?
Yes, the sauce includes one finely chopped pickled jalapeño pepper.
What fresh herbs are used in the tartar sauce?
The sauce uses finely chopped fresh chives and fresh tarragon.
What type of pickles are preferred for the tartar sauce?
Cornichons are the preferred chopped pickle for this recipe.
Should the butter be salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifies using 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
How many crabs are placed on each sandwich?
Two grilled soft-shell crabs are placed on each slice of grilled bread.
What grilling method is used for this recipe?
The recipe uses the direct grilling method.
What is done with the flavored butter after brushing the crabs?
The remaining flavored butter is used to brush the slices of white bread before toasting.
What vegetables are used as toppings for the sandwiches?
The sandwiches are topped with lettuce leaves and thinly sliced ripe tomatoes.
How many total ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 18 ingredients listed in the recipe.
How should the garlic and shallots be cooked for the butter mixture?
They should be sautéed in melted butter until soft and translucent, taking care not to brown them.
Which seasoning brand is used multiple times in this recipe?
Old Bay Seasoning is used in both the flavored butter and the tartar sauce.
Can the tartar sauce be made in advance?
Yes, it can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Is the lemon juice for the sauce fresh or bottled?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
What is the final appearance of the bread after grilling?
The bread should be toasted until it is golden brown.
What flavor profile does the description promise for this dish?
It promises a blend of sweet crab, aromatic garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and a zesty homemade tartar sauce.
How should the sandwiches be served?
They should be served immediately with extra tartar sauce on the side.