Vietnamese Steamed Crab with Garlic Butter

🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes

🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes

🍽 Servings: 2–3

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🛒 Ingredients

• 2–3 fresh whole crabs (about 1–1.2 kg total)

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 5–6 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

• Optional: chili slices for heat

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👩‍🍳 Instructions.

Step 1: Clean the Crabs

1. Rinse crabs thoroughly under cold water.

2. Remove the top shell and clean out the gills and internal organs.

3. Rinse again and cut into halves or quarters if desired.

4. Crack the claws slightly so the sauce can penetrate.

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Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add minced garlic and shallot; sauté until fragrant and lightly golden (about 1–2 minutes).

3. Add butter and let it melt.

4. Stir in fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, and salt.

5. Simmer gently for 1–2 minutes. Turn off heat.

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Step 3: Steam the Crab

1. Bring water to a boil in a steamer.

2. Place crab pieces in the steamer basket.

3. Steam for 12–15 minutes until shells turn bright orange-red and meat is fully cooked.

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Step 4: Combine with Sauce

1. Transfer steamed crab to a large bowl.

2. Pour hot garlic butter sauce evenly over the crab.

3. Toss gently to coat.

4. Garnish with fresh cilantro and chili slices.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with crusty bread or steamed rice.

• Dip crab meat into extra garlic butter sauce.

• Pair with a simple herb plate (Vietnamese coriander, cilantro).

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🔥 Tips for Best Flavor

• Use live, fresh crab for the sweetest meat.

• Do not overcook, or the meat will become dry.

• Add a squeeze of lime before serving for brightness.

• For richer flavor, add a spoon of crab roe (if available) into the sauce.