Salta al contenuto principale

Chilli Crab

This aromatic chilli crab is a spectacular high-protein seafood dish that perfectly balances sweet, savoury, and spicy notes. Inspired by the iconic flavours of Singapore, the recipe features succulent crab coated in a rich, velvety sauce thickened with egg and spiked with fresh ginger and bird's-eye chillies. It is a messy, hands-on feast that is as rewarding to cook as it is to eat, making it a brilliant centrepiece for a weekend dinner party or a special family treat.

While soft-shell crabs offer a quicker preparation, using whole crabs provides a deeper depth of flavour and a more authentic dining experience. This vibrant dish is traditionally served with steamed Chinese buns to soak up every drop of the thick, spicy gravy, though a crusty baguette works just as well. It is a nutritious, low-fat way to enjoy high-quality protein while exploring bold, Southeast Asian seasonings in your own kitchen.

Video consigliati

Ingredients for Chilli Crab

  • 8 soft-shelled crabs, cleaned, or 2 whole Dungeness crabs

  • 2 cucchiai di olio vegetale

  • 1 (3-inch) knob ginger, minced (about 3 tablespoons )

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons )

  • 3 to 4 fresh red bird's-eye chillies, seeded and minced

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese fermented black beans or black bean sauce

  • 1 tablespoon shaohsing rice wine or sherry

  • 120ml plain tomato sauce, purchased or homemade

  • 60ml mild chilli sauce, such as Heinz

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoons ground white pepper

  • 2 teaspoons cornflour

  • 2 uova grandi, leggermente sbattute

  • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped

  • 1 spring onion, thinly sliced on bias

  • Accompaniments: steamed Chinese buns or baguette slices

If using Dungeness crabs, using cleaver or large chef's knife, cut in half lengthwise and remove back shell and spongy green matter. Remove claws from body section and, using back of cleaver or chef's knife, crack in several places. Cut each body section into 2 or 3 pieces, leaving legs attached. Rinse all pieces thoroughly and pat completely dry.

In wok or large skillet over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add ginger, garlic, and chillies, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add black beans and stir-fry several seconds. Add crab and stir-fry until meat begins to turn opaque, about 1 minute. Stir in rice wine, tomato and chilli sauces, sugar, salt, pepper, and 240ml water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until crab meat is fully cooked, 3 to 4 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk together cornflour and 2 tablespoons water. Stir into crab mixture in pan and simmer, uncovered, until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Stir in eggs and simmer, uncovered, until bits of egg are fully cooked, about 1 minute. Stir in coriander and spring onion. Serve immediately with steamed Chinese buns or baguette slices.

Avvertenza

Sebbene sia stato fatto ogni sforzo per garantire che le informazioni siano accurate e aggiornate, le esigenze individuali possono variare e i requisiti dietetici possono differire in base alle condizioni di salute personali. Controlla sempre le etichette degli alimenti e le informazioni sugli allergeni prima di preparare o consumare qualsiasi ricetta. Se hai preoccupazioni specifiche per la salute, allergie, intolleranze o stai seguendo una dieta prescritta dal medico, consulta il tuo medico di base, farmacista o un dietista registrato prima di apportare cambiamenti significativi alla tua dieta o stile di vita.

Storia dell'articolo

Le informazioni su questa pagina sono revisionate da clinici qualificati.

  • 29 Gen 2026 | Pubblicato originariamente

    Autore:

    Redattori di ricette del Regno Unito

    Revisione paritaria di

    Redattori di ricette del Regno Unito
flu eligibility checker

Chiedi, condividi, connettiti.

Esplora le discussioni, fai domande e condividi esperienze su centinaia di argomenti di salute.

symptom checker

Non ti senti bene?

Valuta i tuoi sintomi online gratuitamente

Iscriviti alla newsletter di Patient

La tua dose settimanale di consigli sulla salute chiari e affidabili - scritti per aiutarti a sentirti informato, sicuro e in controllo.

Per favore, inserisci un indirizzo email valido

Abbonandoti accetti il nostro Informativa sulla Privacy. Puoi annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento. Non vendiamo mai i tuoi dati.