soft-shell crab

American  

noun

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

---

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

---

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

A week into its opening, the buttermilk soft-shell crab slider is already one of the most talked-about bar noshes in the bar scene.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 2022

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

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2021

The beloved roadside stand’s best offerings are its no-frills fried soft-shell crab sandwiches and fried seafood baskets with a choice of hush puppies or fries.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2021

One-third New York cheese, one-third dessicated soft-shell crab, one-sixth green peppers chopped very fine.

From The Cookery Blue Book by First Unitarian Society of San Francisco. Society for Christian Work