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Crayfish Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to crayfish
About crayfish
Crayfish are a small crustacean found in freshwater that typically grow to between 3.5 and 7 inches in length. They look like small lobsters and are typically found in the southeastern United States, above all in Louisiana and Mississippi. They come in many colors, including red, sandy brown, blue, and pink. Only certain parts of the crayfish can be eaten, typically consisting of the tail and front claws, where most of the meat is found. Crayfish meat tastes similar to lobster meat but is more tender and slightly sweeter.
Crayfish may be sold fresh or frozen. You can buy them whole, which means the shell and claws will still be attached. Alternatively, some crayfish products only include the tail meat cut into portions. If you're buying whole crayfish, three pounds is usually enough for a single serving.
Crayfish are a great source of several nutrients. A portion of cooked crayfish meat weighing 85 grams includes the following nutrients:
- Protein: 14.89 grams
- Phosphorus: 205 milligrams
- Iron: 0.94 gram
- Vitamin B12: 2.64 grams
- Copper: 0.94 milligram
- Zinc: 1.26 milligrams
- Vitamin B3: 1.41 milligrams
- Selenium: 29.3 grams
Crayfish are also a good source of vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and various amino acids.
Crayfish cooking tips
You have several options when it comes to cooking crayfish, including steaming, boiling, pan-frying, barbecuing, and blanching.
If you're steaming crayfish:
- Add 2 to 3 inches of salted water to a pan and bring to a boil.
- Add your crayfish to the pot one at a time to ensure even distribution.
- Cover the pot and cook for eight to 10 minutes, or until the outer shell is red and the meat is white.
Turn the crayfish halfway through to ensure they steam equally on both sides.
If you're boiling crayfish:
- Bring salted water to a boil in a pan.
- Add the crayfish in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly.
- If your crayfish weigh around 1.5 pounds, boil them for nine to 10 minutes. For crayfish weighing approximately 2 pounds, cook for 11 to 12 minutes.
However you cook your crayfish, remember not to remove them from the pot until the shell is bright red. Another way to tell if your crayfish is ready is if an antenna is removed easily.
If you're pan-frying crayfish steaks:
- Coat the meat with butter or olive oil, and season to your liking.
- Fry the meat on both sides for two to three minutes.
You can season your crayfish or the water you're using to cook them in order to produce extra flavor. For example, try adding a spoon of sugar to the water when you boil crayfish to add a touch of sweetness to the flesh. If you're frying crayfish meat, season it with grated ginger, garlic, and chili powder to create an Asian flavor.
Whether you're looking for a whole crayfish to boil or some crayfish meat for a special dish, you can find what you're looking for by shopping via Instacart. Let our shoppers put together your order, and they can have fresh or pre-cooked crayfish delivered to you the same day!
Crayfish Near Me
Buy your favorite Crayfish online with Instacart. Order Crayfish from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about crayfish
The shell of the crayfish is not edible. You can eat the meat from the tail, front claws, and other claws. There is disagreement about whether you can eat other body parts. Some people like to suck the yellow substance from the head, which is known as crayfish butter. In some cultures, the liver, which has a greenish color, is also considered a delicacy. However, many people prefer to avoid these parts of the crayfish when eating them.
One of the most popular ways to serve crayfish is with butter. After you've boiled or steamed the crayfish, stop the cooking process and cool the meat by placing them in a bowl of ice. Ice is better to use than cold water since water can get into the crayfish and saturate the meat. While the meat cools, heat some butter and season it with anything you like, such as salt and pepper, lemon juice, or garlic. Finally, place the crayfish on a plate and coat them with seasoned butter.
Crayfish meat can also be used in other recipes, such as soups and risottos. To do this, you'll need to remove the tail and claw meat from a whole crayfish or purchase crayfish meat that has already been prepared for cooking.
Start by gently pulling and twisting the tail to separate it from the head. If you want to, suck on the head to eat the crayfish butter. Apply pressure on the bottom side of the tail on each side to remove the skeleton. Once the skeleton cracks, you can carefully twist and pull out the tail meat to enjoy. Finally, pull down and twist the claws to gain access to the meat inside.