Crab

What Is Crab?

Crabs are shellfish in the arthropod group, known for their hard exoskeletons and claws. One of the most commonly eaten species along Türkiye’s coasts is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus); it is caught in abundance in the Aegean and Mediterranean.

The meat is sweet, fibrous, and white; the meat in the claws has a slightly more intense flavor than the meat in the body. To eat it, first boil it and remove the meat from its hard shell.

Nutritional Values of Crab

Crab meat is a low-fat, high-protein seafood; 100 grams contains about 87 kcal, 18.1 g of protein, and 1.1 g of fat.

What Are the Benefits of Crab?

With its high-quality protein and low fat content, crab meat is a light seafood option that can be part of a balanced diet.

This is general information; crab is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Crab

Buy fresh crab alive; signs of life and movement are the clearest indicators of freshness.

• It should be alive and moving; avoid crabs that are still and motionless.
• It should feel heavy when held; a light crab may be hollow inside.
• The shell should be intact and uncracked.

How to Store Crab

Live crab can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, covered with a damp cloth. Cooked crab meat can be stored in the refrigerator for 1–2 days or in the freezer for 2–3 months.

Using Crab in the Kitchen

First boil crab in salted water, then pick the meat from its shell and use it in salads, meze, stuffed dishes, and pasta sauces.

How to Boil Crab

Place live crabs in boiling salted water and boil them for 8–15 minutes, depending on their size; they are cooked when the shells turn a reddish pink. Cooling them quickly in cold water after boiling makes the meat easier to remove.

How to Remove Crab Meat from the Shell

Remove the belly flap and top shell from the boiled crab, crack the claws with a mallet and remove the meat, then pick the meat from the body cavities with a small fork or a specialized tool.

What Recipes Use Crab?

Crab salad, crab pasta, and stuffed crab are among the most popular recipes. Serving crab simply with lemon and olive oil is also common.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is crab good for?

With its high-quality protein and low fat content, crab meat is among the seafood options that can be part of a balanced diet. It is a food and makes no claim to treat disease.

How long should crab be boiled?

Depending on its size, boiling crab in salted water for 8–15 minutes is sufficient.

Can you eat blue crab?

Yes. Blue crab is commonly eaten along Türkiye’s coasts, and its exports have also increased in recent years; its meat is eaten after boiling and picking it from the shell, as with other crab species.

Are people allergic to crab?

Shellfish are among the common known allergens; people with a shellfish allergy are advised to consult a health professional before eating crab.

Can crab be frozen?

Yes. Boiled crab meat that has been picked from the shell can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 2–3 months.