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    Home » Seafood

    Crab Butter Sauce

    Published: Jan 18, 2021 · Modified: Jun 13, 2022 · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This easy crab butter sauce can be made four different ways. Try it plain, or season with lemon, garlic or cayenne. Serve with crab legs!

    crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs

    Who else loves crab legs?

    I know, I know.

    We all love crab legs!

    Last month I was positively delighted when our frozen Dungeness crab legs arrived from Sitka Salmon Shares, and I’ve been happily planning out all the different ways to eat this tasty treat.

    We love crab eggs Benedict, crab nachos, crab fries, crab pizza, and a crab omelette will always make me smile.

    That said, there’s something pretty fabulous about crab legs dipped in butter sauce. It might seem simple, but it’s one of the best things in life.

    Today, I’m going to show you how to make four versions of crab butter sauce. All four options are easy and pair perfectly with crab meat.

    Want more crab recipes? Try making mini crab cakes, King crab salad with avocado dressing and a King crab Louie salad.

    Preparing the Crab

    First things first: take a moment to make sure you know how to steam and crack your crab legs.

    I like to use a seafood cracker to help speed up the crab cracking process.

    After removing the crab meat, make sure to save the crab shells to make seafood stock.

    How to Make Crab Butter Sauce

    Start with butter. I bet you figured that part out already!

    Put the butter in a saucepan or a butter warmer, and heat the butter until it melts.

    Add Butter To Saucepan
    Add Butter To Saucepan
    Melt the Butter
    Melt the Butter

    Crab Butter Sauce: Four Ways

    At this point, you’ll add seasonings (or not).

    For plain butter sauce, simply add a little lemon juice and you’re done!

    For spicy butter sauce, add red chili flakes and lemon juice.

    Season the Butter
    Season the Butter

    Add minced garlic and lemon juice for garlic butter sauce.

    And finally, add lemon zest and lemon juice for a lemon butter sauce.

    Serve the warm, seasoned butter along with steamed crab legs and lots of napkins!

    Make It Ahead of Time

    If you prefer, you can make the butter sauce ahead of time and either refrigerate or freeze it.

    Simply reheat before serving.

    crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs

    Other Ways to Use This Butter

    Seasoned, melted butter sauce is delicious with any type of shellfish!

    It’s perfect for dipping grilled lobster tails, grilled scallops, or drizzle the sauce over seared sea scallops.

    It’s tasty on other types of seafood too!

    Bring the butter back to room temperature to make it spreadable, and then smear it on this salmon almondine or herb butter salmon.

    crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 12 votes

    Crab Butter Sauce

    This easy crab butter sauce can be made four different ways. Try it plain, or season with lemon, garlic or cayenne. Serve with crab legs!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time2 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 8 servings (½ tablespoon each)
    Calories: 55kcal
    Freezer Friendly?

    Yes

    Will It Keep?

    5 Days (Fridge), 6 Months (Freezer)

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Crab Butter Sauce (Base):

    • ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
    • ½ lemon, juiced
    • small pinch sea salt (optional) Omit if using salted butter or if serving along with heavily seasoned crab.

    Garlic Butter:

    • 2 cloves garlic, finely diced

    Spicy Butter:

    • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes

    Lemon Butter:

    • zest from one lemon

    Instructions

    • Melt the butter over medium-low heat.
      Allow the butter to melt but not brown.
      Add Butter To Saucepan
    • As soon as the butter melts, add any extra seasoning if desired (garlic, red pepper or lemon zest).
      Continue heating 1-2 minutes, or until the seasonings become fragrant.
      Stir in the lemon juice. Serve warm along with crab legs.
      Season the Butter

    Notes

    Make Ahead:  Butter can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months. 
    Freezing Tips: If freezing, you may want to portion the butter into smaller amounts by freezing in silicone molds (such as a silicone ice cube tray).  Once frozen, transfer the frozen butter into an air-tight container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 55kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) | Sodium: 55mg (2%) | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 251IU (5%) | Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) | Calcium: 5mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
    « Chocolate Lava Cake
    Seafood Boil for Two »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Tanya

      September 04, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      All 3 are awesome

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone

        September 05, 2021 at 11:48 am

        Glad you enjoyed them so much! Thanks for letting us know.

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply
    2. Carolyn Hill

      September 17, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      This looks great! I’m making it tomorrow to serve with king crab legs. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone

        September 18, 2022 at 6:56 pm

        Awesome! Hope it turned out deliciously! 😊

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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