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Mud Crab in Coconut Cream

Name: Mud Crab in Coconut Cream
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 whole mud crabs (about 2 lb total), cleaned and cracked; 2 cups coconut cream; 1 cup coconut milk; 2 shallots, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger; 1-2 red chilies, sliced; 2 lime leaves or 1 tsp lime zest; Juice of 1 lime; 1/2 tsp salt; Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Papua New Guinea mud crab recipe: sweet crab simmered in coconut cream with ginger, chili, and lime. A festive coastal feast, best eaten with your hands.

⏱ 15 minPrep time

🔥 30 minCook time

🍽 4Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Mud crabs are the treasure of Papua New Guinea’s mangroves, and when one is caught, it is a small celebration. The crab is simmered in coconut cream with ginger and chili, the sweet meat soaking up the rich sauce, then tipped onto a banana leaf for everyone to dig in. It is the closest thing the coast has to a feast dish.

What makes this crab great is the contrast: sweet, briny crab against velvety coconut cream with a warm kick of chili. It is messy, hands-on, and exactly that. Serve it with rice or sago to soak up every last drop of the sauce, and do not be shy about cracking the claws.

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Step by stepInstructions

Warm 1/2 cup of the coconut milk in a large pot and cook the shallots, garlic, and ginger until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add the remaining coconut milk, coconut cream, chilies, lime leaves, and salt and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the crab pieces, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, spooning the sauce over the crab occasionally.
Stir in the lime juice and simmer for 2 more minutes.
Transfer the crab to a serving platter, pour the sauce over the top, and garnish with cilantro.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Crack the claws before simmering so the coconut cream seeps into the meat. Serve with plenty of rice or sago and a stack of napkins.

Recipe details

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Mud Crab in Coconut Cream

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Mud Crab in Coconut Cream

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

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Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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