How to Make Delicious Crab Dipping Sauces

Crab is a delicious seafood that deserves a flavorful dipping sauce. The right crab sauce enhances the natural sweetness of the crab meat and provides contrasting textures. With so many options for crab dipping sauces, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to make. This guide will walk you through how to make 10 fantastic crab sauces from classic drawn butter to spicy remoulade.

Getting Started

When choosing a crab dipping sauce consider what will pair well with the sweet crab flavor. Butter garlic, lemon, and herbs are perfect picks. Spicy, tangy, and creamy sauces also complement crab nicely. Look for recipes with some body that will cling to the crab meat. Sauces with a glossy, silky texture work best for coating.

Think about how you’ll use the sauce. Certain ones like drawn butter work better for dipping and dunking pieces of crab. Other sauces like remoulade make great spreads for crab cakes. Once you’ve selected a recipe, gather your ingredients and tools. Having everything prepped will make the cooking process smooth.

Easy Drawn Butter

Buttery drawn butter is hands down the easiest route for dipping cracked crab legs and claws. To make:

• Melt 1 stick of salted butter in a small pan over medium heat

• Let it come to a boil, then remove from heat.

• Skim the milk solids off the top and pour the clarified butter into a bowl.

• Whisk in the juice of 1 lemon wedge and a pinch of salt.

The brilliance of this recipe is its simplicity. The butter keeps the crab meat moist and picks up flavor from the crab juices. Add minced garlic or herbs to jazz it up.

Classic Cocktail Sauce

When thinking seafood sauce, creamy cocktail sauce probably comes to mind first. Making it at home is straightforward:

• In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp prepared horseradish, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp hot sauce, and 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce.

• Let chill 30 minutes so flavors meld.

• Serve chilled alongside peeled crab claws or shrimp cocktail.

The ketchup base is perfect for clinging to pieces of crab for dunking. The horseradish and hot sauce cut through the richness.

Quick Lemon Aioli

Whipping up an easy lemon garlic aioli takes minutes and adds big flavor to crab:

• In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper until smooth.

• Let chill 30 minutes before serving with boiled crab legs for dipping.

The bright lemon notes perk up the creamy base. Use this aioli for artichokes, sandwiches, and more.

Spicy Remoulade

In New Orleans, remoulade is the classic match for fried crab cakes and seafood. Make a spicy version at home:

• In a bowl, combine 1 cup mayo, 3 tbsp Creole mustard, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp horseradish, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp celery salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

• Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

The remoulade’s creamy base pairs perfectly with flaky crab cakes.

Quick Dijon Sauce

For a fast, tangy sauce, whip up this Dijon mixture:

• In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and a pinch of cayenne until blended.

• Season with salt and pepper.

• Serve chilled with crab claws and shrimp.

The sharp Dijon and touch of honey offer great flavor complexity.

Garlic Butter Sauce

Buttery garlic sauce is essential for dunking crab legs and seafood. Make it in just 10 minutes:

• Melt 1 stick salted butter in a skillet over medium heat.

• Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 2 minutes.

• Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp parsley, 1⁄4 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.

• Serve sauce warm with steamed crab legs for dipping.

The garlic butter seeps into the crab meat, making it even more succulent.

Lemony Brown Butter

For a more gourmet take, brown the butter before making this sauce:

• Cook 1 stick unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown with a nutty aroma.

• Off heat, stir in the juice of 1 lemon, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of salt.

The browned butter boasts deep, nutty notes that pair perfectly with sweet crab.

Homemade Tartar Sauce

Making your own tartar sauce allows you to customize the flavors. Try:

• In a bowl, combine 1 cup mayo, 1 tbsp capers, 2 tbsp pickle relish, 1 minced shallot, 1 tsp Dijon, 1⁄2 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and chopped parsley and dill.

• Refrigerate 1 hour before serving with crab cakes or seafood.

The capers, pickles, and herbs offer a tangy, cooling complement to rich crab.

Easy Honey Mustard

For a simple sauce that comes together in 5 minutes, make honey mustard:

• In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp olive oil, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

• Whisk vigorously until smooth.

• Serve with hot crab dip or lump crab meat.

The sweet honey balances the zippy mustard.

Spicy Cocktail Sauce

If you like heat, spice up your cocktail sauce:

• In a bowl, combine 1 cup ketchup, 3 tbsp horseradish, 1 minced jalapeño, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and the juice of 1 lime.

• Let chill before serving with peeled crab legs or shrimp.

The jalapeño and extra hot sauce ensure this sauce packs some punch.

With these easy recipes, you can whip up the perfect crab dipping sauce for any occasion. Just adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit your tastes. Serve the sauce in small ramekins for dunking and dipping steamed crab legs, shrimp, fried crab cakes, and more. With the right sauce, crab becomes a luxurious treat.

Juicy Crab sauce, often used for seafood boils, is typically a combination of melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a blend of seasonings like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, and sometimes a touch of sweetness from brown sugar.