🇵🇭 Salt and Pepper Crab (Filipino Style)
Butter Garlic Crab is one of the simplest yet most flavorful seafood dishes, where fresh crab is transformed into a rich, aromatic meal using just a handful of ingredients. The combination of melted butter, golden sautéed garlic, and a hint of seasoning brings out the natural sweetness of the crab, making it both comforting and indulgent. In Davao, where fresh mud crabs are locally farmed, this dish highlights how quality seafood can shine with minimal preparation.
At BigByte Aqua Ventures, this recipe reflects their commitment to showcasing premium, sustainably raised crabs straight from their aquaculture systems. Butter Garlic Crab is not only a crowd favorite for its bold aroma and buttery richness, but also a perfect example of how simple cooking techniques can elevate fresh, locally sourced seafood into a restaurant-quality experience right at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg crabs (alimango or alimasag), cleaned and cut into halves
- ½ cup cornstarch (for coating)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 head garlic, minced
- 3–4 pcs siling haba or siling labuyo, chopped
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 stalks spring onion, chopped
- 1 red chili, sliced (for garnish)
- Oil for deep-frying
Instructions:
- Prep the crabs – Clean, cut, and slightly crack the claws so flavors absorb. Pat dry.
- Coat for crispiness – Mix cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the crabs lightly in the mixture.
- Deep-fry – Heat oil and fry crabs until crispy golden brown. Set aside.
- Stir-fry aromatics – In a wok, sauté garlic, onion, chili, and spring onion until fragrant.
- Toss together – Add the fried crabs, sprinkle more salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Toss quickly over high heat to coat evenly.
- Serve – Garnish with sliced red chili and spring onion. Best enjoyed with steamed rice or ice-cold beer.
🔥 Pro Tips (Filipino Style):
- For a crispy-salty kick, add fried garlic bits as topping.
- Use siling labuyo if you want it authentically spicy Pinoy-style.
- Can also be cooked with butter + garlic stir-fry base for extra richness.
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