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.
Our family visited Sartin's multiple times a year, cherishing the tradition of all-you-can-eat blue crabs and creating countless memories.
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.
This recipe captures the essence of Sartin’s BBQ crabs, offering a taste of Texas culinary history.
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.
If you like this seafood recipe, you may also love our Shrimp and Crab Gumbo or our Easy Peel and Eat Shrimp.
Jump to:
- What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Instructions
- What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
- How Should You Store This?
- What Are Some Expert Tips?
- How to Clean Blue Crabs
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Related
- FAQ
- 📖 Recipe
- Important Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- 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.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
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).
STEP FOUR: Fry the Crabs
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.
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.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- 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 Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- Spice: Increase the amount of Fiesta seasoning for a spicier kick.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Deep fryer or large pot
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Cutting board
How Should You Store This?
Store any leftover fried crabs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 day.
Note: Refer to Top Tips below for more storage and reheating tips.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the crabs to achieve the perfect crispy texture.
Avoid overcrowding the fryer to maintain the oil temperature.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until crispy.
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.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Use leftover peanut oil for frying other seafood like shrimp or catfish.
- Incorporate extra Fiesta seasoning into grilled chicken dishes.
- Repurpose leftover crabs into a seafood gumbo.
Need Something To Pair This With?
- Pair with coleslaw for a summer side dish.
- Serve with hush puppies for a classic Southern meal.
- Enjoy a cold beer, a glass of chilled white wine, or iced tea to quench your thirst.
In The Mood For a Similar Dish?
- Southern Fried Catfish
- Butterfly Fried Shrimp
- Fried Lobster
- Fried Grouper Cheeks
- Cajun Boiled Shrimp
- Boiled Crawfish
Related
More seafood recipes you will love:
FAQ
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.
📖 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.
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.
Nutrition
Bringing a taste of Sartin’s Seafood to your home is easy with this copycat recipe for deep fried BBQ blue crabs.
Try this recipe today, share your results, and explore more delicious Southern dishes on our blog!
Important Food Safety Tips
Always handle live crabs with care to avoid pinches. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 350°F for safe frying. Cook crabs thoroughly to avoid any risk of foodborne illness.
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Justin
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!