Florida Keys Stone Crabs with Mustard Sauce is Key West's "must-try" culinary delight! Don't miss out on our homemade mustard sauce recipe. Its tangy and creamy flavor makes it the ultimate companion for stone crabs.
Jump to:
- How to Eat Florida Stone Crab Claws
- How To Crack Crab Claws
- How Big Are Stone Crabs?
- Mustard Sauce for Stone Crabs Recipe
- Where Can I Get Stone Crabs Shipped To Me?
- Are Stone Crabs Expensive?
- What Size Stone Crab Claws Should I Buy?
- Storage
- Nutrition in Stone Crabs
- FAQ
- Try These Delicious Recipes From Florida
- Takeaway
- "📖 Recipe"
How to Eat Florida Stone Crab Claws
Florida stone crab claws are steamed immediately after harvesting.
They are graded by size: Colossal, Jumbo, Large, and Medium.
The claws are cracked just before serving in the restaurants. When purchasing stone crabs at the fish store, the fishmonger can neatly crack them for you.
Just bring them home, refrigerate, and enjoy them within 24 hours.
How To Crack Crab Claws
Crab claws are already cooked for you when you buy stone crabs at your fish market in Florida.
You can bring the crab claws home uncracked and crack them open with a stone crab cracker, nutcrackers, a stone crab mallet, or a big knife.
To use a big knife, place the flat side of a chef's knife on the flat side of the claw and press down a few times as if you are smashing a clove of garlic.
When you purchase your stone crabs from the fish market, you can also pick up a stone crab cracker.
This lightweight aluminum device, as shown above, simplifies the process of cracking the crabs.
Simply place the crab in the device, and gently press down on the joints. The shells will easily slip off.
How Big Are Stone Crabs?
When harvested from traps on the ocean floor, only the claws of crabs measuring at least 2 ¾ inches long are removed.
The crabs' bodies are then returned to the warm waters to regenerate—a process that takes 18-24 months—helping to sustain their populations.
Mustard Sauce for Stone Crabs Recipe
The traditional accompaniment for stone crabs is a tangy mustard sauce. This sauce is simple to prepare and pairs perfectly with the succulent stone crab claws, enhancing their flavor.
Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl:
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Lemon Juice
- Horseradish
- Salt
You can also add a spoonful of sugar. We had stone crabs at a local club a few months ago and the sauce was a little sweeter than usual and it tasted very good.
Where Can I Get Stone Crabs Shipped To Me?
You can order stone crab claws with mustard sauce online from The Key Largo Fisheries in Key Largo or the Eaton Street Seafood Market in Key West.
The crabs will be delivered within a day, packed in dry ice.
Or, you can visit The Keys in October to mark the start of the stone crab season, which extends through May.
The succulent crab meat is truly a delicacy. Approximately one and a half pounds should generously serve two adults.
Are Stone Crabs Expensive?
According to Business Insider, stone crabs rank among the most expensive seafood items on the market.
With prices starting at $35.00 per pound for medium claws and reaching up to $95.00 for colossal claws, the cost of stone crab claws has been steadily increasing over the years.
What Size Stone Crab Claws Should I Buy?
No matter the size of the stone crab claws you choose, they all taste fantastic. Get whichever ones fit your budget.
While Jumbo or Colossal claws can make your meal quite expensive, in my opinion, the taste does not significantly differ from Medium to Jumbo sizes.
Storage
If you're purchasing fresh stone crabs, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the back of your refrigerator. For maximum flavor, consume them within 24 hours.
Although they might last for three or four days, it's best to enjoy them as soon as possible.
Nutrition in Stone Crabs
Stone Crabs are low in calories and carbohydrates, and they are gluten-free. They are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, copper, and selenium.
With only 31 calories and 6 grams of protein per serving, steamed stone crabs constitute a nutritious meal fit for a champion.
Enjoy stone crabs with a squeeze of lemon and a side of melted butter if you prefer an alternative to mustard sauce.
- Calories: 31
- Total Fat: .4g
- Cholesterol: 21.5 mg
- Sodium: 107 mg
- Total Carb .3g
- Sugar: 0
- Protein: 6.3g
FAQ
Yes, stone crabs are wild. They are harvested on the east coast of the United States from Connecticut to the Florida Keys.
Stone crabs are caught in traps, only one claw is removed, and they are returned to the wild to regrow the claw.
Florida Stone Crab season runs from October to May every year.
Stone crabs are traditionally served with mustard sauce. Made by combining mayonnaise, Dijon or dried mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and a little salt, the tangy sauce goes perfectly with the sweet crabs.
Try These Delicious Recipes From Florida
For a full list of sides: What Goes with Stone Crabs?
- Peel-n-Eat Shrimp
- Seared Mahimahi with Basil Butter
- Pan-Fried Yellowtail Snapper
- Blackened Swordfish
- Roasted Yellowtail Snapper
- Seared Tripletail with Garlic Butter Sauce
- Broiled Yellowtail Snapper with Blackening Seasoning
- Pan Seared Mangrove Snapper
- Florida Smoked Fish Dip
Takeaway
Stone crabs with mustard sauce is a classic dish celebrated for its exquisite taste and rich flavor.
The crab claws can be conveniently purchased online from a variety of fish stores, making it easy to enjoy this delicacy at home.
The mustard sauce recipe for stone crabs is provided below. It's the perfect complement to the sweet crab meat and is simple to prepare.
"📖 Recipe"
Stone Crabs with Mustard Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds steamed stone crab claws
FOR THE MUSTARD SAUCE
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons creamy style horseradish
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Get cooked stone crabs from a reputable market. Remember, quality is more important than size!
- Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl with a rubber spatula. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve cold stone crabs with lemon wedges, melted butter, and cold mustard sauce.
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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