Coconut Free Garlic-Style Butter Crab Legs
Steamed snow crab legs bathed in a glossy, garlicky butter sauce feel like a special-occasion meal, but this recipe is genuinely approachable enough for a weeknight splurge. The sauce builds beautifully — garlic-infused oil, scallion tops, and dry white wine reduce down before butter is swirled in tablespoon by tablespoon, creating that silky, restaurant-worthy emulsion right in your skillet. Smoked paprika and red pepper flakes add just enough warmth and depth, while fresh lemon zest and juice keep everything bright and balanced. Many store-bought or restaurant versions of buttery crab dishes sneak in coconut-derived oils or sauces, so making it yourself with these straightforward ingredients puts you fully in control. Every component here is exactly what it says it is — no hidden tropical oils, no ambiguous blends. Finish with a shower of fresh flat-leaf parsley and a squeeze of lemon, and you've got a showstopper that looks far more complicated than it actually is.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the crab
- 3 lb snow crab legs, thawed if frozen
For the butter sauce
- ¼ cup garlic-infused oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 4 scallion green tops, thinly sliced
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Set a steamer insert or colander above the water. Arrange the crab legs in the steamer in a single layer (work in batches if needed), cover tightly, and steam for 5–6 minutes, until the shells are heated through and the meat is opaque and hot at the thickest joint.
- 2
While the crab steams, heat the garlic-infused oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the scallion green tops and cook, stirring, until softened and bright green, about 1–2 minutes.
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