Flavors of Mumbai

Indian Crab Curry Recipe, How to make Indian Crab Curry

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My favorite Mummy Special Indian Crab Curry Recipe. I have been eating this Crab Curry since my childhood. I just go crazy and love the taste of this curry. I have asked my mummy several times if its goan cuisine or any specific cuisine. To which she cutely replies its Indian Cuisine. All the credit goes to her for this curry. Today I will share this secret ………..How to make this special indian crab curry. Crabs are also called as Khekda and Shimori  in Mumbai-India.

My relatives, close family, friends all love this Crab Curry. Its made with Indian spices. The spice makes it spicy and heavenly.This curry goes well with steamed rice, Bread or Chapatis. You could also make this curry as a main course in your meal.

This Indian crab curry has blend of good spice and coconut. All this makes this curry special and mouth watering. Once you have this I bet you will make it always. The crab curry taste will linger on your taste-buds always.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

Crab and Mussels are my hot favorite. That too made by mum. My mouth starts watering even when I talk about it. Crab has to be diced properly. The hygiene is important you need to clean the crabs thoroughly. If you are using alive crabs be careful before dicing them. As crabs can give you crab bites. The pain is harsh and acute.

I have tried some of delicious crab curries like green crab curry and goan crab curry.

Mummy Special Crab Curry step by step details below:

1. Firstly dice the crab and wash it properly.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

2. Take a tawa or pan add little oil. Once hot add fennel seed and cumin seed. When they crackle.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

3. Add 2 sliced onion. Keep one onion aside for Tadka (tempering).

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

4. Now put Garlic cloves, desiccated coconut, 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, Ginger  and green chilies. Saute until onion all mixture becomes dark brown. Combine this fried mixture in the grinder. Grind until it forms a smooth paste. Add little water if required.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

5. Take little oil in the same pan. Add now fresh grated coconut to it.

Desiccated Coconut-Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

6. Saute until they are brown.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

7. Grind to form a smooth paste. Add water if required.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

8. Get a wok or vessel add 3 tbsp Oil. Add the remaining chopped onion. Saute for 2 mins on low flame.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

9. Add tomatoes and saute for a minute.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

10. Mix all spices except salt. Stir for sometime.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

11. Let the mixture become brown. Roughly after 5 to 6 mins.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

12. Add the fresh coconut spice paste to the curry. Its time to add crabs to it.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

13. Combine well. Now add the desiccated coconut paste to the gravy.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

14. Check the consistency add water as required. Stir well cover with a lid for 5 mins. Stir again. Once the curry starts bubbling add salt as per taste.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

15. After 3 to 4 mins taste the curry. See if more salt or spice required. Switch off the gas. Your Crab Curry is ready now. Before Serving garnish with coriander leaves. Serve This Crab curry with Pav, Bread Or Rotis. This crab curry goes well with steamed rice or pao.

Mummy Special Crab Curry - Indian Crab Curry

If you are looking for more seafood recipes then do check  Goan prawns curry, dry shrimp curry, clams dry recipe, mandeli fish fry, goan fish curry, goan prawn curry, mince potato chops, goan shark fry, green crab curry andgoan piri piri sauce.

Mummy Special Crab Curry recipe details below:

4.5 from 13 reviews
Indian Crab Curry
 
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This Indian Crab curry goes well with steamed rice, Bread or Chapatis. Also this curry has blend of good spice and coconut.
Author:
Recipe type: Coastal food, meals,
RecipeCuisine: Indian Cuisine
Serves: 4 servings
recipeIngredient (used american measuring cup, 1 cup = 250 ml)
  • 1 tbsp oil for frying + 1.5 tbsp oil for curry
  • 5 to 6 Big sized Crabs Or about 10 small sized Crabs
  • 18 to 20 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 inch Ginger Chopped
  • 3 Sliced Onion
  • ½ cup Desiccated Coconut
  • 3 t/s Fennel Seeds
  • 2 t/s cumin seed
  • ½ cup Coriander Leaves
  • 1 Green Chili
  • ½ cup fresh grated coconut
  • 2 tbsp Red Chili Powder
  • 2 tbsp Garam Masala Powder
  • 1 tbsp Turmeric
  • 1 tbsp Coriander Seed Powder
  • 1 Tomato
  • 2 cups Water
  • Salt as per taste
How to make the recipe?
  1. Firstly dice the crab and wash it properly.
  2. Take a tawa or pan add little oil. Once hot add fennel seed and cumin seed-. When they crackle.
  3. Add 2 sliced onion. Keep one onion aside for Tadka.
  4. Now put Garlic cloves, desiccated coconut, 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, Ginger and green chilies. Saute until onion all mixture becomes dark brown. Combine this fried mixture in the grinder. This mixture is of fried onion, ginger-garlic, cumin seed, coriander leaves, green chilies and desiccated coconut. Grind until it forms a smooth paste. Add little water if required.
  5. Take little oil. Add now fresh grated coconut to it.
  6. Saute until they are brown.
  7. Grind to form a smooth paste. Add water if required.
  8. Get a wok or vessel add 3 tbsp Oil. Add the remaining chopped onion. Saute for 2 mins on low flame.
  9. Add tomatoes and saute for a minute.
  10. Mix all spices except salt. Stir for sometime.
  11. Let the mixture become brown. Roughly after 5 to 6 mins.
  12. Add the fresh coconut spice paste to the curry. Its time to add crabs to it.
  13. Combine well. Now add the desiccated coconut paste to the gravy.
  14. Check the consistency add water as required. Stir well cover with a lid for 5 mins. Stir again. Once the curry starts bubbling add salt as per taste.
  15. After 3 to 4 mins taste the curry. See if more salt or spice required. Switch off the gas. Your Crab Curry is ready now.
  16. Before Serving garnish with coriander leaves. Serve This Crab curry with Pav, Bread Or Rotis. This crab curry goes well with steamed rice.
Notes
1. Ensure you buy fresh crabs.
2. You could use more chilies if spice required.


Comments

  2. Whenever i want to prepare crab curry , i search for recipes , i always end up using this recipe , no other recipe seems better than this ….. already more than 10 times used this recipe in past few years

    Reply

  3. Hi,
    My husband, a Goan, and myself, Canadian/Polish/Dutch live in Canada. It was our 40th anniversary this past weekend and I made your crab recipe. Absolutely delicious. Thanks for making our day special. Much better than going to a restaurant to celebrate…especially during these covid times.

    Thx
    florence

    Reply

  4. Hi Maria
    I absolutely loved the way you explained everything step by step.My husband wanted to eat crabs for a really long time .. and I honestly was hesitant to even try but I am so glad I found your receipe.. it turned out to be soooo good ! It’s very similar to my mum’s crab curry. Next time when I go home to Mumbai I am making it for my family☺️☺️ Thank you sooo much

    Reply

  5. Thanks for sharing your recipe. My husband and I absolutely loved it.
    I also tried using the recipe with some small tweaks with chicken. Turned out great as well.

    Reply

  6. A friend was telling me about the crab curry his grandad used to make and how much he loved it, so as a treat I followed your recipe for him for him.

    He was delighted by how close it was to that dish. We all really enjoyed it too. Great recipe Maria so many thanks.

    (6 years and counting, good job 🙂

    Reply

  8. Me and my husband loved the taste of crab when we tried them in havelock island in Andamans..
    Since then I wanted to taste them again luckily I found fresh sea crabs in pune few days ago and I prepared them by your method… And they were delicious 🙂
    Thanks for your sharing…

    Reply

  9. I am Bangalore based . Here we do not get fresh crabs often , they are rather small. So we normally do not buy crabs but yesterday we were lucky to get some mudcrabs here and I did not want to do my usual crab curry so I was browsing and happen to get this nice one. I prepared as per your recipe and my kids loved it. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Pleased to know your kids loved the crab curry 🙂 Thanks for positive views. Do try more recipes and let us know how it was? you are welcome.

      Reply

  10. About to get prepared for round 2 with this amazing recipe! My youngest hates spices but she too got into the dish that quickly turned into a fight like a pack of hungry lions! I struggled to catch 12 blue swimmer crabs 2am this morning as the local spot was packed with people,all of them steadily pulling up crabs…did 20 in the cook up last time and that got absolutely smashed in no time! Will savor every mouthful! thank you Maria for this little pot of gold!

    Reply

    • Thanks Mick for your positive views 🙂 you made my Sunday! Glad your kids and family loved the crab curry, thanks to my mom that’s her recipe. You are welcome there are more crab curries on my blog you could try those as well.

      Reply

  13. Mind blowing recipe….stumbled across the recipe, when hunting for crab curry recipe..

    Hats off to your mom and to you.

    Never ever tasted crab curry sooooo good…..I don’t think even the best restaurant can make it soooo yummy

    Reply

    • Ran you may substitute crab meat however the crab shells imparts a great flavor than just the meat. But if it’s not available then use crab meat.

      Reply

  17. Hi Maria. I tried you crab curry recipe last night after I got it on an internet search.

    It was superb! I must say I’m not much of a cook but your step by step instructions were great and (with substantial help from my wife :)) cooking was as enjoyable as eating…almost!

    Many thanks for sharing this and I’m looking forward to trying out other recipes!!

    PS this is the Facebook link to the end result: https://www.facebook.com/ian.dsouza.712?fref=nf

    The gravy seems thicker but it was delicious!

    Reply

    • Thankyou Dr Ian for your positive and kind words here and also on Facebook. I am pleased to know your family loved the crab curry 🙂 surely try other recipes as well take care and have a lovely weekend.

      Reply

  18. Hi , i tried this recipe earlier n its turns yummy. Happy to see my husband n kids enjoyed until last drop of curry. Thks Maria for the recipe. N this is one of the best crab curry i tasted.

    Reply

  19. Hi – I have a questions about this recipe. You mention fennel seeds for the recipe, except at one step where you mention the same mixture with “cumin” seeds. Could you please clarify what you used? I’d love to try this out.

    Reply

    • Sun I have used both cumin and fennel. Have rectified and made the necessary changes. Thanks for pointing out my mistake. Do try and keep me posted.

      Reply

  20. Awesum crab curry..!! I cooked ths recipe.. the oly compliment I got was its jst awesum..^_^ thnks.. do post more seafood recipes

    Reply

  21. Hello Maria
    Oh yum am on my way to buy crabs now. I bet you mommy knows where it is from and its from Kerala with no doubt. Even my mom used to cook the same using coconut n stuffs. Thanks for the post you really deserve a medal for this.

    Reply

    • Thanks Dave actually mummy hails from Goa and both states Goan and Kerala use coconuts widely in their cuisine. You are welcome do keep me posted how was the crab curry???

      Reply

  22. Hi Shamima – I live in Cape Town (where there definitely no fresh coconuts) but I find I can get them at my local Pick and Pay, or Spar.

    Reply

  23. dear maria my name is shamima i am from durban south africa, we hve a prob getting fresh coconut is there a subsistute i could use.

    Reply

    • Shamima you could use desiccated coconut instead of fresh coconut. If you are unable to find coconut then use 1 cup coconut milk the taste would differ but would taste great still. Hope this helps you but add coconut milk towards the end of the dish else it might cuddle.

      Reply

  24. This looks delicious, but I wonder, how do you eat this curry?

    Are you supposed to crack the claws open with your fingers, or has the meat already been taken out and added to the curry (and the shell is just for presentation)?

    Also that steel bowl you cook with, does it have a special name?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Paul the crab meat is not taken out it’s as it is. You are suppose to bite them with your teeth then use your finger to eat the flesh. You could use some device or tool to crack open the crab. But we eat with our teeth and hand at home. You could use any deep vessel or wok to make this curry no special bowl required. Thank-you for writing hope this helps you do lemme know how was the crab curry???

      Reply

      • Thanks for the reply Maria. I didn’t think of using teeth to crack them open

        I have a wok and lots of pans which would be suitable, but I really liked the bowl you were cooking with. Luckily I’ve since found a similar one on the internet.

        I haven’t cooked your curry yet. Its difficult to get fresh coconut in the UK, and the desiccated stuff is not quite as nice. I will be trying it very soon though 🙂

        Reply

        • Thankyou Paul 🙂 take your time do keep me posted once you make them. Also should I parcel you some fresh coconut 😉 take care.

          Reply

  27. Hey darling jus wanted to know if crab curry is healthy for my pregnancy as I am craving it but ppl r saying its nt gud for the child.u shud no better,a lil help?

    Reply

    • Hi Rozanne,

      Eating too much crabs is not good as it could produce heat in your stomach during pregnancy even prawns would create the same effect. You could eat crab in small quantities to reduce your craving but don’t make a habit. Hope this helps you.

      Reply

  29. This was amazingly delicious. I am now about to whizz all the leftovers, shells and all, in my food processor. Shall then carefully strain and freeze for a sublime curried crab bisque.

    Reply

  33. Thanks a lot for the recipe. My husband just bought crabs yesterday and i had no idea how to prepare them. I went through a lot of recipes on the net and your recipe looks the best. Will be trying out for sure.

    Reply

  35. Helo there ,Im Suba frm Malaysia ..I live ur crab curry so much ..but i have some doubts on below especially on the 2 type of grind paste.Pls correct is im wrong .

    The first paste is the mixture of Garlic cloves, 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, Ginger and fresh grated coconut right ???

    The 2nd paste is only desiccated coconut after saute it .

    Pls let me know on above ..Thanks dear

    Reply

    • Hi Suba nice to see you here 🙂 it’s only one paste only dry coconut is roasted with onion and other ingredients. Later roast fresh coconut separately until brown and grind all together. Hope your doubts are clear also have explained in detail below. Keep me posted how was the curry 🙂

      Reply

  36. Dear Maria,

    Thank you for this receipe, After 10 years i have made this dish, i use to eat it when my granny would prepare it. she passed away and so the receipe. I hear that crabs are heaty and wanted to try for my 3 years old daughter who got cold. I got this recepie and when i seen the pic it looked just like my grannys dish. Made it 3 times in 15 Days. Want to thankyou from my heart. THANKYOU.

    Reply

    • Thanks Suzanne for trying them and you are right crabs are heaty I am happy you liked the crab curry you are welcome Suzanne keep cooking hope your kid is alright now 🙂

      Reply

  37. Great recipe it turn out so good. I made it first time in my life but your step by step recipe made it so easy for me. Thank you for sharing the wonderful recipe with us.

    Reply

  38. Hey Maria,

    I am too from Mumbai, may be that is the reason my mom also cooks crab in the same way. I am also in love with crab…..just like you…

    Reply

  39. Your recipes are execellent………

    Maria the pictures and the explaination too good

    I want to know what is this garam masala exactly the preparation your mom makes for Crab curry

    Reply

  40. Hey …… the sequence of pictures showing the recipe are so amazing…that I almost felt the taste the Crab curry while looking at them!!!! Your presentation is fantabulous….it reminded me my Mom’s crab curry!!Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

  42. mix n match ur 2 crab recipe yesterday night…… basically followed this recipe and added malwani masala along with the red chilly pwdr ….. also in d end added solas (dry mango) …. n voila it was yum yum ……………. cant wait to go back home n dig into the leftover m sure it will be more yum tonite ……

    thank u Maria n ur mum for this wonderful recipe ……

    Reply

  43. Hi,

    I am so glad I found your recipe. I am from South Africa and while my father was stil alive, he made us crab curry. I’ve been wanting to make it for about 15 years now and always thought that it wont be good.

    This recipe was the best crab curry I have ever tasted in my life.

    Thanks very much for sharing

    Regards,
    Riaan Augustyn

    Reply

    • Hi Riann,

      Thanks for stopping by I am happy you loved the crab curry. Actually I am thankful to my mom for that. Guess our ancestors and parents have been great chef which gets passed on to us. Be happy and keep cooking.

      Lot’s of Love,
      Maria

      Reply

  46. You just killed me with all those delightful pictures of a droolworthy crab curry! Oh my! I haven’t had one in years and years. I thought I might on my recent trip to Bombay but it was not meant to be. I will have to fix that by making it in my own kitchen soon! How many crabs did you need for this curry? What size were they or was it by weight?

    Reply

    • Hey Manisha,

      Thanks for your lovely comments and views. You would require about 5 to 6 big sized crabs otherwise about 10 small crabs. In Mumbai you don’t get crabs measured by weight. You could buy one vata (One bunch of Crabs which they sell individually in the fish market). Thank you for asking me as I haven’t put the quantity of crabs required for the curry. I have added that as well. Hope my response helps you. Do try this crab curry and lemme know how was it? Also I am adding one more Crab Curry soon so check that as well.

      Love,
      Maria

      Reply

  48. Wowo I have not had crab curry for ages and ages and just seeing ths picture i am droling, wish I had this delicious curry with hot rice, just the thought makes me indeed drool all over again.

    Reply

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