Description
Dungeness crab simmered in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with white wine, herbs, and a touch of spice. Perfect for a special occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 whole Dungeness crabs (about 2–2.5 lbs each), cleaned and cracked
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
- 10–12 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Crusty bread, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crab: If starting with whole crabs, clean and crack them as described above.
- Melt Butter: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn.
- Add Wine: Pour in white wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
- Add Crab: Add cracked crab pieces to the skillet, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the sauce.
- Coat Crab: Toss the crab in the sauce to coat all pieces thoroughly.
- Simmer Crab: Cover the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the crab is heated through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Transfer to a platter or plates, garnish with extra parsley and cilantro, and serve immediately with lemon wedges and crusty bread (optional).
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- If you don’t have dry white wine on hand, you can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- You can add vegetables to the skillet along with the crab. Some good options include mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions. Sauté the vegetables in the butter before adding the garlic.
- This recipe also works well with other types of seafood, such as shrimp, lobster, or mussels. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- You can prepare the butter garlic sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook the crab, simply reheat the sauce and add the crab.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes