If you’re a seafood lover looking for a taste of Southern tradition, look no further! This copycat recipe for Sartin’s Signature Deep fried BBQ Blue Crabs is perfect. Combining the rich history of Sartin’s Seafood with the bold flavors of zesty seasoning, this dish brings the flavors of a well-loved restaurant straight to your table.
My family has been making these fried crabs for years—it’s a tradition that never gets old. Another family favorite rooted in tradition is our grandmother's famous Seafood Gumbo and our Easy Peel and Eat Shrimp.
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Sartin’s Seafood, a well-known restaurant in Sabine Pass, Texas, was famous for its barbecue crabs. Founded in 1971, Sartin’s became recognized for its unique blend of spices and deep frying technique, which turned blue crabs into a local delicacy. The original seasoning, Alamo Zestful Seasoning (later Sextons), was discontinued, leading Sartin’s to collaborate with Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Seasonings to recreate their signature flavor.
Our family visited Sartin's multiple times a year, cherishing the tradition of all-you-can-eat blue crabs and creating countless memories.
If you like this seafood recipe, you may also love our Butterfly Fried Shrimp or our Stovetop Boiled Crawfish.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Authentic Southern Flavor: Recreates the iconic taste of Sartin’s BBQ crabs.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses readily available ingredients for a straightforward cooking process.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight meals.
- Impressive Presentation: A show-stopping dish that’s sure to wow your guests. Just like our Fried Lobster!
Barbecue Crab Ingredients
- Blue Crabs: Fresh and live blue crabs, the star of this dish.
- Peanut Oil: Ideal for deep frying, giving a crispy texture.
- Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning: The secret to replicating Sartin’s signature flavor.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Clean Blue Crabs
- Prepare the Crabs: Place live blue crabs on ice for 10 minutes to make them dormant.
- Remove the Top Shell: Hold the crab and lift the top shell from the back, pulling it off.
- Remove Gills and Innards: Discard the gills (feathery, gray structures) and rinse out the yellow mustard and innards under running water.
- Pull off the Apron: Pull off the apron (small flap on the underside). Leave the legs and claws attached.
- Rinse the Crabs: Rinse the crabs under cold water to remove any remnants.
- Inspect the Crabs: Make sure all unwanted parts are removed and the crab meat is clean.
- Safety: Handle live crabs carefully to avoid pinches, and use a sharp knife or kitchen shears for breaking and cleaning.
Substitutions & Variations
- Peanut Oil: Can be replaced with another high smoke point oil if needed.
- Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning: Use a homemade blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper or try Durkee Zestful Seasoning which can be purchased in larger quantities.
How to Make Sartin’s Signature Deep Fried BBQ Blue Crabs
STEP ONE: Prepare the Crabs
Place live blue crabs on ice for 10 minutes until dormant and easy to handle.
Remove the top shell, mouthparts, gills, and guts under running water. Leave the legs and claws attached.
STEP TWO: Season the Crabs
Coat each cleaned crab generously with Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning, so that all surfaces are covered.
STEP THREE: Prepare for Frying
Fill your deep fryer with peanut oil and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the seasoned crabs in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch for 3-5 minutes, or until the crabs turn a golden brown and are cooked through.
STEP FOUR: Fry the Crabs
Remove the crabs from the oil and let them drain on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious, crispy, and flavorful crabs.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the crabs to achieve the perfect crispy texture.
❌ DO NOT Overcrowd the fryer. Keep the oil at a consistent temperature for even frying.
Storage
Store any leftover fried crabs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 day. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until crispy.
Recipe FAQs
To make Sartin's style BBQ crabs at home, start by cleaning live blue crabs and coating them with Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning. Deep fry the seasoned crabs in peanut oil at 350°F until golden brown. This method replicates the iconic flavor of Sartin’s Seafood BBQ crabs.
Sartin's BBQ crabs originally used Alamo Zestful Seasoning, which was later discontinued. Today, Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning is used to replicate the original flavor, combining spices that deliver the distinctive taste Sartin's is known for.
Place live blue crabs on ice for 10 minutes to make them dormant. Remove the top shell, gills, and innards under running water. Break the crab in half, leaving legs and claws attached. Rinse thoroughly. This ensures the crabs are properly cleaned and ready for cooking.
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📖 Recipe
Sartin’s Signature Deep Fried BBQ Blue Crabs: Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- Deep fryer or large pot
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 16 live blue crabs cleaned
- 3-4 quarts peanut oil (enough to fill your deep fryer and submerge the crabs completely)
- 2 cups Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning (or Durkee Zestful Seasoning sold in larger quantities)
Instructions
- Place live blue crabs on ice for 10 minutes until dormant and easy to handle.
- Remove the top shell, mouthparts, gills, and guts under running water. Leave the legs and claws attached.
- Coat each cleaned crab generously with Bolner’s Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning, ensuring all surfaces are covered.
- Fill your deep fryer with peanut oil and heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the seasoned crabs in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry each batch for 3-5 minutes, or until the crabs turn a golden brown. Larger crabs may need more time to cook through.
- Remove the crabs from the oil and let them drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot.
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Notes
- Peanut Oil: Can be replaced with another high smoke point oil if needed.
- Fiesta BBQ Crab Seasoning: Use a homemade blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper or try the Durkee Zestful seasoning which can be purchased in a larger quantity.
NANCY BULLARD says
Crazy good, Will definitely make again!!!
Justin says
Wow! These have memories of growing up tucked inside. We used to eat at Sartin's as a family and the flavor and experience is brought to life with this recipe. Nailed it!