This Dungeness Crab Recipe with Garlic Butter Sauce is a dream come true for seafood enthusiasts! Rich, garlicky butter sauce with a trace of Old Bay spice and a squeeze of fresh lemon covers sweet, luscious crab meat. This is a simple yet amazing meal that brings right-at-home restaurant-quality tastes.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Delicious : the garlic butter sauce brings out the crab’s inherent sweet taste.
- Ready in just 25 minutes for a gourmet lunch, quick and easy, free of effort.
- Ideal for Celebrations : Special Events, an opulent seafood meal guaranteed to wow.
- Customize heat; keep it light, or add red pepper flakes for a fiery bite.
- Comforts
Ingredients
For the Crab
- Dungeness crabs cleaned and cracked for simple consumption.
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- The foundation of the thick garlicky sauce is unsalted butter.
- Freshly minced garlic cloves have a strong, pungent taste.
- Old Bay Seasoning: A classic spice blend that combines wonderfully with seafood.
- Salt and black pepper improve the general flavour.
- Optional crushed red pepper flakes give some heat.
- Lemon juice is a flash of acidity meant to offset the richness.
- Freshness and colour abound in chopped fresh parsley.
- Lemon Wedges: To accentuate the extra citrus taste, serve them.
- Melted butter was presented on the side for additional dipping.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Making Dungeness Crab with Garlic Butter Sauce
First Step: Fry the Crab
- Bring a big salted water pot to boil. Add the cleaned Dungeness crabs and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the shells turn red. Clear and save.
Second Step: Create Garlic Butter Sauce
- Melt butter in a big skillet set on medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and Old Bay flavour. Cook for another thirty seconds to meld the flavours.
Third Step: Coat the Crab
- Toss the cooked Dungeness crab gently in the skillet to coat it with the garlic butter sauce.
Fourth Step: Finish and Serve
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle chopped parsley. Present hot, accompanied by melted butter and lemon wedges for dipping. Fun!
Pro Advice on Creating the Recipe
- Fresh crab tastes and textures the finest when freshly cooked.
- Never overcook; the crab is ready when the meat is opaque and the shell is brilliant red.
- Before cooking, crack the shells so the flavours may permeate the meat.
- Change the spice; eliminate red pepper flakes for a milder dish or add more for added fire.
Methods of Serving
- Perfect for soaking up all that garlicky butter sauce is crusty bread.
- Along with roasted vegetables, asparagus, maize, or green beans enhance the meal nicely.
- With a Side of Rice or Pasta, the buttery sauce complements both.
✔ Bonus Tip: If you love seafood, check out this salmon recipe for another delicious meal idea!
Make Ahead and Organization for Storage
Organizing Leftovers
- Store leftover crab refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat very carefully to prevent the meat from drying out.
Refining
- Refrigerated in an airtight container, cooked crab keeps for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight; then reheat.
Reheat
- To keep the crab moist, reheat it in a low-heat skillet with a small butter drizzle and a splash of water.
Questions of Frequency
Is it possible to use frozen crab?
Sure! Thaw frozen Dungeness crab entirely before cooking.
For Old Bay seasoning, what might I replace?
Mix paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a little cayenne for a similar taste.
Can I spice this recipe?
Definitely! Add some spicy sauce to the butter sauce or boost the red pepper flakes in the butter sauce.
How best should one break crab shells?
Access the meat more easily using kitchen shears or a crab cracker.
Conclusion
This Dungeness Crab with Garlic Butter Sauce is a must-try for seafood aficionados. An amazing meal is created with sweet, succulent crab meat and creamy, garlicky butter sauce. This simple dish will wow whether for a big occasion or just a seafood desire! 🦀✨
Enjoy and happy cooking!
Dungeness Crab with Garlic Butter Sauce
Sweet and succulent Dungeness crab tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of spice and citrus. Perfect for a seafood feast!
Share with WhatsApp
Share on FacebookEquipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the Crab
- 2 whole Dungeness crabs cleaned and cracked
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
For Serving
- lemon wedges for serving
- melted butter for dipping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cleaned Dungeness crabs and cook for 12-15 minutes, until bright red. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in Old Bay seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the cooked Dungeness crab to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter sauce.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and melted butter for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
For an extra flavor boost, serve with a side of warm garlic bread or steamed vegetables.