soft-shell crab

American  

noun

1. a crab, especially the blue crab, that has recently molted and therefore has a soft, edible shell.

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soft-shell crab British  

noun

1. a crab, esp of the edible species Cancer pagurus, that has recently moulted and has not yet formed its new shell Compare hard-shell crab

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Etymology

Origin of soft-shell crab

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

I ordered a stir fry of crab and broken rice with greens and yam that came topped with a fried soft-shell crab drizzled with shito, a Ghanaian chili sauce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Expect Western twists on classic dishes, such as soft-shell crab served with a tomatillo base or elk striploin with wild mushrooms.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2021

Chicken, shrimp, soft-shell crab, mixed seafood or tofu can be added to any of the dishes.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2021

Underrated is the mound of salt-and-pepper soft-shell crab battered in flour and sautéed with garlic and chilies.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2018

“And I don’t believe that even a fried soft-shell crab is dead enough so that it can’t bite a fellow!”

From Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point Nita, the Girl Castaway by Emerson, Alice B.