Florida Keys Stone Crabs with Mustard Sauce is Key West's "must-try" culinary delight! Don't miss 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?
- Stone Crab Claws are Sustainable
- Mustard Sauce for Stone Crabs Recipe
- Where Can I Get Stone Crabs Online?
- How Many Claws Per Person?
- Are Stone Crabs Expensive?
- What Size Stone Crab Claws Should I Buy?
- Storage
- Nutrition in Stone Crabs
- Where to Get Stone Crabs in Key West
- More Florida Fish & Seafood Dinner Recipes
- Takeaway
- FAQ
- Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce 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.
When cracking the claws, it's important to do so gently to avoid crushing the meat inside.
Crack the claws 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.
You can also pick up a stone crab cracker at the fish market.
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.
Stone Crab Claws are Sustainable
Stone crabs are a sustainable seafood choice because only their claws are harvested, and the crabs are returned to the water, allowing them to regenerate their claws.
Only claws 2 ⅞ inches or larger can be taken, and harvesting from egg-bearing crabs is not allowed.
There is a limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per boat daily.
For more of the rules, visit The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission/Stone Crab.
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 Online?
Order stone crab claws with mustard sauce online from The Key Largo Fisheries in Key Largo.
The crabs will be at your door within 24 hours.
Or, you can visit us in The Keys in October to mark the start of the stone crab season, which extends through May.
How Many Claws Per Person?
Approximately 1 ½ 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.
Stone crab claws are one of the priciest seafoods you can buy. And depending on their size, a pound of claws at a restaurant can cost as much as $70. But catching these crabs is challenging work. Strangely enough, fishers can only harvest the claws from the crabs, while the bodies must be returned to the ocean. So, what makes these claws so coveted? And why are they so expensive?
Business Insider
Stone crab claws have become more expensive over the years, ranging from $35.00 per pound for medium claws to $95.00 for colossal claws.
What Size Stone Crab Claws Should I Buy?
No matter the size of the stone crab claws you choose, they all taste fantastic. Get the ones that 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 crab claws 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
Stone crab season runs from October 15th to May 1st. During this time, you can get stone crab claws at almost every restaurant in the Keys.
Special crab cracking tools are available, but a kitchen mallet, the back of a heavy knife or even a small hammer can also do the job.
Stone crab claws offer not only a delectable dining experience but also an example of how seafood can be enjoyed responsibly.
Their limited season, sustainability practices, and unique flavor profile make them a standout choice for a very special meal.
For a full list of sides: What Goes with Stone Crabs?
Where to Get Stone Crabs in Key West
Our favorite places for stone crab claws in Key West include A & B Lobster House, Blue Heaven, DJ's Clam Shack, and Eaton Street Seafood.
All the restaurants have them. They should all be pretty good. A largo claw is the same large claw across the board.
The most important thing is that they're fresh. They should be moist, sweet and very delicious.
More Florida Fish & Seafood Dinner Recipes
Takeaway
Stone crabs with mustard sauce is an iconic Florida dish known for its exquisite taste and rich flavor.
The crabs are steamed as they are caught so all you have to do is make the delicious stone crab dipping sauce. The mayo and mustard sauce is creamy and pairs perfectly with the rich crab meat.
Stone crab season runs from October through May in Florida.
You can buy the crab claws online from many of our local 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 sweet crab meat and is simple to prepare.
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. This sustainable practice allows the crabs to living and reproducing, helping to maintain good crab populations.
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.
One of the key reasons stone crab claws are so sought after is their flavor. The meat is often compared to lobster, with a sweet, rich taste.
Stone Crab Claws 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! Keep them cold until ready to serve.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl with a rubber spatula. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve cold stone crab claws with lemon wedges, melted butter, and cold mustard sauce.
Jerry T says
My favorite thing to eat! 😊🇺🇸❤️
Jenny Briar says
Thank you for sharing!