Pan-Seared Dungeness Crab with Lemon-Dill Butter
Fresh Dungeness crab claws seared until golden and finished with a bright lemon-dill butter sauce, a classic California coastal dish that highlights the state's seafood bounty. This seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs Dungeness crab claws, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 16 oz Dungeness crab claws
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
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Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the crab claws dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add the crab claws and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet, and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp chopped fresh dill. Return the crab to the skillet and toss gently to coat, cooking for 1 minute until heated through and the butter sauce is fragrant.






