What to Do with Crayfish Shells

Crayfish shells and bodies are full of that stunning cray flavour—don’t let them go to waste! Here are a few ways to make the most of them, whether it’s for your next dish, your garden, or even your chooks.

1. Make Crayfish Oil

Crayfish oil is a fantastic way to capture the rich flavour of the crayfish and use it in your cooking.

How to Make Crayfish Oil:

  • Rinse the shells and dry them thoroughly.

  • Crush them lightly to expose more surface area.

  • In a large pan or pot, heat 1-2 cups of neutral oil (like canola or sunflower) on medium heat.

  • Add the crushed shells and cook on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the oil with flavour.

  • Strain the oil through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bottle.

  • Store in the fridge and use within 1-2 weeks.

Ways to Use Crayfish Oil:

  • Drizzle over pasta or risotto for an instant flavour boost.

  • Add to salad dressings for a seafood twist.

2. Freeze for Later

If you’re not ready to use the shells right away, simply freeze them for later.

Ideas for Frozen Shells:

  • Bisque: Make a rich crayfish bisque.

  • Stock: Simmer the shells with onion, celery, and herbs to create a delicious seafood stock.

  • Soup: Add shells to a pot of water, simmer, and flavour with garlic, ginger, and chili for a hearty broth.

Pro tip: Freeze the shells in small portions, so you can grab just what you need without defrosting the whole lot.

3. Feed Them to Your Chooks

Crushed crayfish shells are packed with calcium, which helps your chooks lay strong, healthy eggs. Simply crush them up or just feed them to the chooks as they are!

4. Compost Them

Crayfish shells are an amazing addition to your compost, breaking down into calcium-rich nutrients that improve your soil.

Best Composting Method:

  • Use the Bokashi method, which ferments food waste (including shells, fish frames, meat and bones!) to speed up the composting process.

  • Check out Pickled Compost for more details on how to get started!

Alternatively, crush the shells and add them directly to your compost bin or bury them in the garden to nourish your plants