Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter
Sweet crab claws caramelized in a garlic-herb butter sauce, served with steamed asparagus for a coastal California meal. This california-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs (24 claws) Dungeness crab claws, unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (24 claws) Dungeness crab claws
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 (juice only) lemon
- 12 oz (trimmed) asparagus
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat crab claws dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add crab claws and sear for 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, garlic, and 1 tbsp parsley to skillet. Cook for 1 minute until butter foams, then squeeze in lemon juice and stir until combined.
- Step 3: Add asparagus to skillet and toss to coat in butter sauce. Cook for 4 minutes until asparagus is tender-crisp. Stir in remaining parsley and serve immediately with crab claws.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter?
California seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
