Luxurious Creamy Butter Garlic Crab Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Seafood enthusiasts swoon over this butter garlic crab recipe that packs an irresistible punch of flavor and coastal charm.

Tender crab meat bathes in a rich, aromatic sauce that dances with garlic and golden butter.

Each bite promises a luxurious maritime experience that transports you straight to seaside dining.

Succulent shellfish meets bold seasonings in this simple yet elegant dish.

Fresh ingredients combine to create a culinary masterpiece that’s both comforting and sophisticated.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate the straightforward preparation and stunning results.

Prepare to elevate your dinner with this mouthwatering seafood sensation that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Creamy Butter Garlic Crab

• Whole Live Crabs: Fresh ocean treasure that brings sweet, delicate flavor and authentic seafood experience.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing natural crab sweetness and balancing overall dish taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements seafood's delicate texture.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant color to elevate flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with luxurious mouthfeel and golden color.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent butter burning and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Garlic: Delivers intense aromatic punch and complex flavor depth to the entire dish.

• Broth: Creates silky liquid base that helps develop sauce consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures smooth, velvety texture and rich flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity and helps emulsify sauce.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces smoky depth and warm reddish color.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes that cut through richness.
• Lemon Juice: Provides fresh, zesty acidity to balance creamy elements.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty dimension and helps thicken sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers fresh, herbaceous garnish with vibrant green color.

Tools For Creamy Butter Garlic Crab

• Large Pan: Essential for cooking crab and creating the garlic butter sauce, with enough space to move ingredients around.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and coating crab pieces evenly without scratching the pan.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting lemon and preparing parsley garnish.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning with salt, pepper, and spices.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for prep work and ingredient handling.
• Tongs: Great for handling and turning crab pieces during cooking.

Steps For Cooking Creamy Butter Garlic Crab

• Prepare Crab Delights

Grab your fresh crab and break it down into bite-sized pieces. Clean thoroughly and set aside for a mouthwatering adventure.

• Sizzle with Flavor

Heat a skillet and melt butter with a splash of olive oil. Toss in minced garlic and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, creating an aromatic base that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Dance the Crab in Butter

Introduce crab pieces to the sizzling pan. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, letting the meat dance and absorb those golden, garlicky notes for about 5 minutes.

• Create Magical Cream Sauce

Slide the crab to one side and add more butter. Pour in broth and cream, whisking gently. Stir in Dijon mustard, a dash of smoked paprika, bright lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

• Melt in Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it transforms into a silky, luxurious coating. Let it simmer and thicken for a couple of minutes.

• Final Flavor Fusion

Coat the crab completely in the dreamy sauce, allowing everything to mingle and intensify. Shower with fresh parsley and serve alongside your favorite carbs for a truly indulgent meal.

Tips For Creamy Butter Garlic Crab Flavor

• Crab-Cooking Mastery: Learn pro techniques to elevate this delectable dish.
• Fresh Crab Selection: Choose live, heavy crabs with intact shells and vibrant color for maximum flavor and freshness.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace rice or bread with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a ketogenic-friendly version.
• Seafood Swap Options: Substitute crab with shrimp, lobster, or scallops for similar creamy, garlicky goodness.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a lactose-free alternative.

Ways To Serve Creamy Butter Garlic Crab

• Seaside Companions: Crusty sourdough bread slices perfect for soaking up the rich, creamy garlic butter sauce, capturing every delicious drop.
• Zesty Sidekick: Bright lemon wedges served alongside the dish, allowing diners to add extra citrusy tang and enhance the seafood's natural flavors.
• Refreshing Pairing: Crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay complements the buttery crab, cutting through the richness and elevating the dining experience.
• Rice Bed Option: Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice creates an excellent base, absorbing the luxurious sauce and providing a delightful texture contrast to the tender crab meat.

How To Store Creamy Butter Garlic Crab

• Refrigerator Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover crab in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Keep sauce and meat separate to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir carefully to keep crab meat tender and prevent breaking delicate pieces.
• Freezing Wisdom: Not recommended for this recipe due to cream-based sauce and delicate crab texture. Cream sauces tend to separate and crab meat loses its delicate flakiness when frozen and thawed.
• Meal Prep Tip: Prepare garlic butter sauce in advance and store separately in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Cook fresh crab just before serving to ensure maximum flavor and optimal seafood quality.

Succulent Butter Garlic Crab Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible creamy butter garlic crab brings coastal Italian flavors to your dinner table. Succulent seafood mingles with rich garlic butter, promising a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large crabs (cleaned and cracked, about 1 kg / 2.2 lbs total)
• 5 tbsps butter
• ½ cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk for a lighter version)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• ¼ cup chicken or seafood broth
• 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for depth of flavor)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for richness)
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crab Preparation: Meticulously clean and segment fresh crab, removing shell fragments to ensure smooth dining.
2. Pan Infusion: Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil, creating a golden, aromatic foundation that will elevate the seafood’s natural essence.
3. Flavor Activation: Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the shimmering fat, stirring quickly to release their intense, provocative aroma without scorching.
4. Initial Cooking: Gently nestle crab pieces into the fragrant oil, coating each morsel thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to amplify the maritime flavors.
5. Sauce Development: Shift crab to one side and melt additional butter, then incorporate broth and cream with a smooth, consistent whisking motion to prevent curdling.
6. Flavor Layering: Enrich the sauce with Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Stir continuously to distribute the complex flavor profile.
7. Cheese Integration: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melts and creates a velvety, luxurious consistency that gracefully coats the crab.
8. Final Fusion: Reunite crab with the sumptuous sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete flavor absorption and optimal temperature throughout.
9. Presentation: Transfer to a serving platter, adorning with fresh parsley for a vibrant, eye-catching finish. Serve alongside crusty bread, rice, or pasta to complete the culinary experience.

Notes

• Freshness First: Choose live or recently caught crab for maximum flavor and tenderness, avoiding frozen options whenever possible.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat to prevent butter from burning and garlic from becoming bitter, creating a perfectly balanced base.
• Sauce Consistency Trick: Whisk cream and broth slowly to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce that clings beautifully to the crab meat.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and stir continuously to achieve a creamy texture without clumping or separating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg