Crab MasalaCook

Crab Masala

Also known as Crab Masala, Nandu Masala, Tamilnadu Crab Masala, Spicy Crab Masala, Crab Gravy · Non-veg · Curries & Gravies, Kuzhambu, Sambar & Rasam

Curries & GraviesKuzhambu, Sambar & RasamLow carbHigh proteinGluten-freeDairy-free

Total40 min
Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Serves4
Per serving298 cal
Spicehot

Good for: Party

Crab Masala

Cook along

8 steps, each one filmed

A short video for every step, so your hands never have to leave the pan.

Crab masala, or nandu masala: crab in onion and tomato with a freshly roasted paste of coconut, fennel and pepper. Spicy, serves 4, 40 minutes, with video.

High proteinLow calorie

Ingredients

21 items
Cooking for4 servings
  • Sunflower OilSunflower Oil3 tbsp
  • Coriander SeedsCoriander Seeds1 tbsp
  • CuminCumin2 tsp
  • Black PeppercornsBlack Peppercorns1 tsp
  • Dry Red ChilliDry Red Chilli1
  • Green ChilliGreen Chilli1
  • OnionOnion, Thinly Sliced1
  • GarlicGarlic5 cloves
  • GingerGinger1 inch
  • Fennel SeedsFennel Seeds1 tsp
  • Coconut (Grated)Coconut (Grated)¼ cup
  • WaterWater1.75 cup
  • Bay LeavesBay Leaves1
  • OnionOnion, Finely Chopped1
  • Curry leavesCurry leaves10
  • Turmeric PowderTurmeric Powder1 tsp
  • CrabCrab500 grams
  • TomatoTomato, Finely Chopped1
  • Red Chilli PowderRed Chilli Powder1 tbsp
  • SaltSaltAs Needed
  • Coriander LeavesCoriander Leaves, Finely Chopped2 tbsp

Contains: shellfish.

Nutrition

One serving, and the whole batch of 4. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

NutrientPer servingAll 4
Energy298kcal1192kcal
Protein25g100g
Carbohydrate14g54g
Fat16g65g
Fibre4.1g16g
Sugar3.5g14g

Cookd masalas for crab

Method

  1. 1

    Heat a pan, add oil and add all the ingredients under roast and grind except fennel seeds and grated coconut. Saute until the spices emit aroma.

    Sunflower OilCoriander SeedsCuminBlack PeppercornsBlack PeppercornsDry Red ChilliGreen ChilliOnionGarlicGinger

  2. 2

    Add fennel seeds and grated coconut to the hot ingredients and mix well.

    Fennel SeedsCoconut (Grated)

  3. 3

    Once cool, add the mixture to a mixer grinder and grind into a fine paste with ¼ Cup of water.

    Water

  4. 4

    Heat a pan, add oil and then add the bay leaf. Add chopped onion, curry leaves and saute well till it starts to turn golden brown.

    Sunflower OilBay LeavesOnionCurry leaves

  5. 5

    Add chopped tomato, add turmeric powder and chilli powder. Saute till the tomatoes turn mushy.

    Turmeric PowderTomatoRed Chilli Powder

  6. 6

    Add water, salt and crab to the masala mixture and cook covered for 7 minutes.

    WaterCrabSalt

  7. 7

    Add the spice masala paste to it, mix well and cook for 5 minutes.

  8. 8

    Add coriander leaves and serve it hot.

    Coriander Leaves

Before you start

How long does Crab Masala take?
40 minutes from start to finish. That is 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Crab Masala serve?
4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Crab Masala vegetarian?
No, it contains meat or fish.
Is Crab Masala spicy?
It is hot: 3 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.
What do I need to make Crab Masala?
500 grams Crab, ¼ cup Coconut (Grated), 1 Dry Red Chilli, 1 Green Chilli, 1 Onion, 1 Bay Leaves, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Crab Masala?
No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Crab Masala?
About 298 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Tips from other cooks

8 notes
  • A

    AkshayaFebruary 2022

    Nice recipe. Me and My family really enjoyed it.

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala
  • S

    Sweetlin Stella DavidFebruary 2025

    Tasty recipe ♥️

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala
  • S

    Sujith David RoyJanuary 2025

    Crabbing it 😋

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala
  • Elan

    ElanAugust 2024

    The recipe went out really good. Thank you so much Cookd team for helping me cook a delicious crap dish ❤️

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala
  • G

    Grace GeraldineJuly 2024

    just yumminess

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala
  • C

    A Cookd cookMarch 2024

    tried this and it came out very well. thanks for recipes 🙏🏻

  • C

    A Cookd cookAugust 2023

    Awesome taste

  • C

    A Cookd cookFebruary 2023

    It's awesome....

    A cook's photo of Crab Masala

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