How to Make Crab Butter at Home: A Simple Gourmet Recipe

by Oleg Nikitenko October 10, 2024

Make Crab Butter at Home

Crab butter is the perfect way to take your seafood dishes to the next level. Whether you’re preparing a gourmet dinner or simply want to indulge in a rich, flavorful spread, making crab butter at home is a must for any seafood lover. The sweet, briny flavor of crab combined with creamy butter creates a luxurious condiment that pairs beautifully with everything from crab legs to fresh bread.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make crab butter from scratch, the best types of crab to use, and provide some creative ways to incorporate this indulgent spread into your meals. For the best results, we recommend using high-quality crab like Snow Crab, Golden King Crab, or Dungeness Crab from trusted sources like Global Seafoods .

1. What is Crab Butter?

Crab butter is made by combining fresh crab meat, crab roe (if available), and butter, along with seasonings and aromatics. This rich, seafood-flavored butter can be used as a spread, dipping sauce, or ingredient in various recipes. The beauty of crab butter lies in its versatility—it can be made to suit your personal taste preferences by adjusting the ingredients.

Why Crab Butter?

  • Flavor Enhancement: Crab butter intensifies the natural sweetness of seafood, especially when served with Dungeness Crab or King Crab.
  • Versatile: It can be used as a sauce, spread, or even as a base for seafood soups and pastas.
  • Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet appeal, crab butter is surprisingly simple to prepare at home with just a few ingredients.

As Anthony Bourdain once said, “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” Sharing a meal with freshly made crab butter not only adds luxury to the experience, but it also showcases your culinary skills.

2. Ingredients for Making Crab Butter at Home

To make crab butter, you’ll need a few basic ingredients, but the quality of these ingredients is key to achieving the best flavor.

Core Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1/2 cup fresh crab meat (use Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, or King Crab from Global Seafoods )
  • 1 tablespoon crab roe (optional, for added richness)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill, finely chopped)

You can also add additional flavor elements such as smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or fresh chives, depending on your taste preferences.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crab Butter

Making crab butter is a quick and straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Meat

Start by cooking your crab. You can either steam or boil the crab, depending on your preference. For this recipe, Dungeness Crab or Snow Crab works well due to their sweet, delicate flavor. Once cooked, remove the meat from the shell and set it aside. Be sure to pick through the meat carefully to remove any small shell fragments.

If you’re using crab roe, set it aside as well. Crab roe adds an extra layer of richness and depth to the butter.

Step 2: Soften the Butter

Let the butter sit at room temperature until it’s softened but not melted. You want the butter to be easily spreadable, so it mixes smoothly with the crab.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

In a bowl, combine the softened butter with the crab meat, minced garlic, and optional ingredients like lemon zest and crab roe. Use a fork or spatula to mix everything together until the crab is evenly distributed throughout the butter.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in fresh herbs like parsley or dill for added freshness.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Transfer the crab butter to a container or wrap it in parchment paper and roll it into a log shape. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature with warm crusty bread, crackers, or alongside your favorite seafood dishes.

For a visual guide on preparing crab butter, visit the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel , where you’ll find seafood tutorials and recipes.

4. Best Types of Crab for Making Crab Butter

The type of crab you use will significantly impact the flavor of your crab butter. While you can technically use any type of crab, certain species offer a sweeter, more delicate flavor that pairs perfectly with butter.

Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crab is known for its sweet, tender meat and is a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. It’s an excellent choice for making crab butter, as its mild flavor doesn’t overpower the richness of the butter.

Golden King Crab

Golden King Crab offers a rich, buttery flavor that complements the creaminess of crab butter. The large, meaty legs make it easy to extract plenty of crab meat for this recipe.

Snow Crab

Snow crab is slightly sweeter and more delicate than other types of crab, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter flavor. It’s a great option for making crab butter to serve with pasta or seafood dishes.

5. Creative Ways to Use Crab Butter

Crab butter is incredibly versatile, and there are many ways to incorporate it into your cooking. Here are a few creative ideas:

1. Serve with Crab Legs

The most classic use for crab butter is as a dipping sauce for crab legs. Whether you’re serving King Crab, Snow Crab, or Dungeness Crab, the buttery richness enhances the sweet, delicate flavor of the crab meat. Simply warm the crab butter and use it as a dip.

2. Spread on Toast or Crackers

Crab butter makes an excellent spread for toasted bread or crackers. Serve it as a simple appetizer or snack, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon.

3. Toss with Pasta

For a luxurious seafood pasta, toss freshly cooked pasta with melted crab butter and a splash of pasta water. Add a handful of fresh herbs, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality dish in minutes.

4. Add to Soups and Chowders

Stir a spoonful of crab butter into seafood soups or chowders for extra flavor. The richness of the butter will elevate the dish, adding depth and complexity.

5. Use as a Finishing Butter for Grilled Seafood

Top grilled fish, shrimp, or scallops with a pat of crab butter just before serving. The butter will melt over the seafood, infusing it with rich crab flavor.

For more creative seafood recipes, visit Global Seafoods to discover premium seafood options and cooking inspiration.

6. Tips for Storing Crab Butter

Crab butter can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it a convenient make-ahead option for future meals.

Refrigerating Crab Butter:

Store crab butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you prefer, you can roll the butter into a log using parchment paper, then slice off portions as needed.

Freezing Crab Butter:

To freeze crab butter, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To use, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

7. FAQs: How to Make Crab Butter at Home

1. Can I use frozen crab meat to make crab butter?
Yes, frozen crab meat can be used for crab butter. Just make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess water before mixing it with the butter.

2. Can I make crab butter in advance?
Absolutely! Crab butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

3. What’s the best type of butter to use?
Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. High-quality European butter, which has a higher fat content, will provide the best flavor and texture.

4. How long can I store crab butter in the freezer?
Crab butter can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.

5. Can I use crab butter in baked dishes?
Yes, crab butter adds incredible flavor to baked seafood dishes, such as crab-stuffed mushrooms or baked fish.

For more expert seafood tips and delicious recipes, be sure to visit the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel , where you can learn how to cook and prepare gourmet seafood dishes from the comfort of your home.

Back to News
Go to full site