Description
Classic Creamy Butter Garlic Crab delights seafood enthusiasts with rich, luxurious flavors from coastal kitchens. Succulent crab meat bathes in a silky garlic butter sauce, promising restaurant-quality indulgence you can savor at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large crabs (cleaned and cracked, about 1 kg / 2.2 pounds total)
Fats and Oils:
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk for a lighter version)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for depth of flavor)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for richness)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Select fresh, high-quality crab and prepare for cooking by cleaning and separating into accessible segments. Ensure shell pieces are removed for easy consumption.
- Preheat a spacious skillet with a blend of butter and olive oil, creating a rich initial flavor foundation. Allow the fat to shimmer and warm evenly across the cooking surface.
- Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the heated pan, stirring rapidly to release their aromatic essence without burning. The kitchen will fill with an enticing fragrance within seconds.
- Gently place crab pieces into the infused oil, carefully coating each morsel with the garlicky mixture. Sprinkle salt and black pepper to enhance the natural seafood flavors.
- Manipulate the crab in the pan, ensuring uniform heating and complete flavor absorption. Continue cooking until the exterior develops a light golden sheen.
- Create the creamy sauce by sliding crab to one side and incorporating additional butter. Allow it to melt completely and spread across the pan’s surface.
- Stream broth and cream into the pan, whisking smoothly to prevent separation. The liquid should integrate seamlessly, creating a silky texture.
- Enhance the sauce’s complexity by adding Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Stir consistently to distribute flavors evenly.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melts and thickens slightly. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon elegantly.
- Reunite crab pieces with the luxurious sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coverage. Allow brief simmering to marry the ingredients’ flavors.
- Transfer to a serving platter, garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Accompany with crusty bread, rice, or pasta for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality crab for the most succulent and flavorful results.
- Use a mix of butter and olive oil to enhance the richness while preventing butter from burning.
- Crack crab shells gently to allow sauce to penetrate and create maximum flavor absorption.
- Substitute cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg