Steamed Soft-Shell Crab Sandwich with Spicy Aioli

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Fresh soft-shell crabs steamed and served in a toasted bun with crisp lettuce, tomato, and a bright spicy aioli for a coastal Maryland taste. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs soft-shell crabs, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 4 soft-shell crabs and pat dry. In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Lightly dredge each crab in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then place in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side until the coating is golden and the crab is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and 1 tsp lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Lightly toast 4 steamed buns or soft sandwich rolls.
  6. Step 6: To assemble, spread 1 tbsp spicy aioli on the bottom half of each bun, layer with 1 lettuce leaf and 2 tomato slices, then place one cooked soft-shell crab on top.
  7. Step 7: Cap with the top bun and serve immediately while warm, enjoying the tender crab with the creamy, spicy sauce.

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