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Butter Garlic Crab Recipe

Butter Garlic Crab Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Butter Garlic Crab delivers pure ocean flavor straight to your dinner table with tender crab meat swimming in a rich, aromatic sauce. Crushed garlic and melted butter create a simple yet spectacular seafood experience that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 Dungeness crabs

Dairy and Fats:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 10 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges
  • Crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare your workspace by having two 2.5-lb Dungeness crabs cleaned and cracked, ready for cooking.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt ½ cup butter, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add 10-12 minced garlic cloves and sauté for exactly 2 minutes until they release a fragrant aroma and turn light golden.
  4. Pour ½ cup dry white wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce for 3 minutes.
  5. Incorporate the remaining ½ cup butter, ¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup cilantro, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
  6. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, stirring to combine all flavors evenly.
  7. Lower the heat to simmer the sauce for 6 minutes, letting the ingredients blend together smoothly.
  8. Gently add the crab pieces to the skillet, spreading them across the sauce surface.
  9. Carefully toss the crab to ensure each piece gets thoroughly coated with the aromatic sauce.
  10. Cover the skillet and let the crab heat through for 6 minutes, stirring once halfway to prevent sticking.
  11. Transfer the crab to a serving platter, garnishing with extra herbs.
  12. Serve immediately alongside fresh lemon wedges and crusty bread for dipping into the rich sauce.

Notes

  • Crack crab shells gently to keep meat intact and make eating easier for your dinner guests.
  • Choose fresh, high-quality butter for the richest flavor in your sauce, as this makes a significant difference.
  • Work quickly when cooking seafood to prevent overcooking, which can make the crab meat tough and rubbery.
  • For a lighter version, replace half the butter with olive oil and use less wine to reduce calories without sacrificing taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 1455 kcal
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 155 g
  • Saturated Fat: 97 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 58 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 37 g
  • Cholesterol: 665 mg