Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Herbed Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet crab claws caramelized in a garlic-herb butter sauce, served with steamed asparagus for a coastal California meal. This California-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs Dungeness crab claws, unsalted butter, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 2 California cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

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.

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