Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter is the rich, flavorful finishing touch that elevates any seafood boil to the next level. Loaded with garlic, butter, and a bold blend of spices, this sauce coats shrimp, crab, lobster, and more in a luxurious, mouthwatering glaze. Whether you’re planning a backyard seafood feast or just want to add a kick to your weeknight shellfish dinner, this sauce is easy to make and absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 whole head of garlic, peeled and minced (or about 10–12 cloves)

• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tablespoon paprika (smoked or sweet)

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Melt the butter: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Stir occasionally to ensure it doesn’t brown.

2. Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant but not browned.

3. Add the seasonings: Stir in the Old Bay, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, lemon pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine all the spices with the butter and garlic.

4. Add lemon and Worcestershire: Pour in the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Season to taste: Add salt and black pepper to your liking. Adjust spice levels if needed.

6. Serve: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Pour it directly over your seafood boil or serve it on the side for dipping.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Makes about 1½ cups of sauce (enough for a boil serving 4-6)

• Preparation time: 10 minutes

• Cooking time: 10 minutes

• Total time: 20 minutes

Variations

• Extra Spicy: Increase the cayenne and red pepper flakes, or add a dash of hot sauce like Tabasco or sriracha.

• Herb-Forward: Add fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil for a unique herbal twist.

• Garlic Explosion: Roast the garlic before adding for a sweet, mellow garlic flavor.

• Citrus Boost: Add a bit of orange or lime juice along with the lemon for extra brightness.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

• Freezing: This sauce freezes well. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

• Reheating: Reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

FAQs

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit added salt in the recipe to avoid making the sauce too salty.

2. How can I thicken the sauce?

If you want a thicker sauce, simmer it a little longer to reduce it slightly. You can also whisk in 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch dissolved in water.

3. Is this sauce good for other dishes?

Absolutely. It works well on pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or even as a bread dip.

4. Can I use pre-minced garlic?

Yes, but fresh garlic is strongly recommended for the best flavor. If using jarred garlic, use about 3 tablespoons.

5. Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or margarine.

6. How spicy is this sauce?

The heat level is moderate. You can easily reduce or increase the spice by adjusting the cayenne and red pepper flakes.

7. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, it actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop more. Just store and reheat when ready to serve.

8. What kind of seafood works best with this sauce?

Shrimp, crab, crawfish, lobster, clams, and mussels are all excellent choices for this sauce.

9. Do I need to clarify the butter?

No, regular melted butter works fine. But for a cleaner sauce, you can use clarified butter if you prefer.

10. Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe is easy to scale up. Just double all ingredients and follow the same cooking process.

Conclusion

Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter is the ultimate companion for your favorite shellfish dishes. Loaded with garlic, butter, and bold spices, it’s the kind of sauce that turns any seafood boil into a flavor-packed feast. Whether you’re dipping, drizzling, or soaking, this sauce brings the taste of a seafood shack right to your kitchen. It’s easy, customizable, and utterly delicious—once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

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