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Simple Butter Garlic Crab Recipe


  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 23 servings 1x

Description

Butter Garlic Crab is a rich and indulgent seafood dish made with succulent crab cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with white wine, lemon, and fresh herbs. This restaurant-style recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for special dinners or easy entertaining at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 22.5 lbs Dungeness crab, cleaned and cracked
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1012 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Crusty bread, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse cleaned and cracked crab under cold water and pat dry.
  2. Melt ½ cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat until gently bubbling.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, not browned.
  4. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in remaining butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, cilantro, red pepper flakes, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5–7 minutes to let flavors combine.
  7. Add crab pieces and gently toss to coat in sauce.
  8. Cover and simmer for 5–7 minutes until crab is heated through.
  9. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with extra herbs, and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Use medium heat and avoid boiling to prevent the butter sauce from separating.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Seafood

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 40g
  • Saturated Fat: 24g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 155mg

Keywords: butter garlic crab, garlic butter crab, seafood dinner, crab recipe