If you’re searching for a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing sauce to take your next seafood feast to unforgettable heights, Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter is about to become your new obsession. This rich, savory blend of melted butter, olive oil, loads of fresh garlic, and a symphony of Cajun-inspired spices creates an irresistible, aromatic sauce that clings beautifully to every shrimp, crab leg, and cob of corn it touches. Whether you’re drizzling it over a classic seafood boil or serving it as a decadent dipping sauce, this buttery concoction will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter comes together with a handful of kitchen staples, but every ingredient brings its own magic to the mix. Don’t be tempted to skip anything—each item adds a layer of warmth, zest, or a pop of color, making the final sauce both crave-worthy and memorable.
- Unsalted butter: The buttery base for the sauce, providing richness and helping all the flavors meld together.
- Olive oil: Adds a silky texture and keeps the butter from browning too quickly.
- Garlic (minced): The star of the show, infusing the sauce with unbeatable aroma and depth.
- Onion powder: Brings a mellow, savory undertone without the need to chop onions.
- Paprika (preferably smoked): Lends a smoky, vibrant color and a gentle peppery kick.
- Cayenne pepper: For those who love a spicy edge—adjust to your own heat preference.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Adds citrusy brightness and a peppery bite to balance the richness.
- Old Bay seasoning: A classic seafood partner, delivering that signature, slightly tangy flavor.
- Dried thyme: Offers earthy, herby notes that round out the spice blend.
- Dried oregano: Introduces a touch of Mediterranean flair and complexity.
- Hot sauce (optional): For the bold, an extra splash of heat!
- Juice of 1 lemon: Brightens the whole sauce and balances the buttery richness.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring all the flavors together.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled in at the end for a fresh, vibrant finish.
How to Make Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter
Step 1: Melt the Butter and Olive Oil
Grab a medium saucepan and set it over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and olive oil, letting them melt together until the mixture is smooth and glossy. The olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning, so you’ll get a perfectly silky base for your Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for just 1 to 2 minutes. You want the garlic to become fragrant and slightly golden, but not browned—this keeps the sauce sweet and mellow, not bitter. The kitchen aroma at this point is pure magic!
Step 3: Add the Spices and Herbs
Now, sprinkle in the onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, Old Bay, thyme, and oregano. Stir constantly for another 1 to 2 minutes so the spices bloom and infuse the butter with their flavors. This is where the sauce takes on that deep, Cajun-inspired complexity.
Step 4: Add Lemon Juice and Hot Sauce
Pour in the fresh lemon juice and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a splash of your favorite hot sauce. Give everything a good stir, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. The lemon brightens the whole sauce, balancing the richness and spice.
Step 5: Simmer and Finish
Let the Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter simmer on low for 3 to 5 minutes. This gentle bubbling helps all the flavors meld together beautifully. Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the sauce warm, either poured over your seafood boil or as a dreamy dipping sauce on the side.
How to Serve Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter
Garnishes
For a beautiful finishing touch, sprinkle extra chopped fresh parsley or a dash of smoked paprika over your Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter. A few thin lemon slices or wedges on the side not only look gorgeous but invite guests to squeeze on extra brightness as they dip.
Side Dishes
This sauce pairs like a dream with all sorts of seafood: shrimp, crab legs, lobster tails, mussels, and even corn on the cob. Round out your spread with steamed potatoes, crusty bread for sopping up every last drop, or a simple green salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the sauce in individual ramekins for dipping, or pour it generously over a piled-high seafood boil for that restaurant-style wow factor. For a fun twist, brush Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter onto grilled veggies or use it as a decadent drizzle over baked potatoes—the possibilities are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter (lucky you!), let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week, ready to brighten up any meal in a flash.
Freezing
This sauce freezes surprisingly well! Pour cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or portion it into an ice cube tray for easy, single-serve amounts. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and giving it a good stir to restore its silky texture.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. If it seems a little thick, add a splash of seafood broth or water to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving on high, as this can cause the butter to separate.
FAQs
Can I make Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter less spicy?
Absolutely! To dial back the heat, use less cayenne pepper or skip the hot sauce entirely. You’ll still get loads of flavor from the garlic, butter, and other spices.
Is it possible to make this sauce dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute plant-based butter and use only olive oil for a dairy-free version—just keep an eye on the seasoning and adjust salt to taste.
What type Sauce, Condiment
This sauce shines with shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, clams, and even scallops. It’s also fantastic spooned over roasted potatoes or grilled corn if you’re serving vegetarians.
Can I double the recipe for a big party?
Definitely! Simply multiply all the ingredients as needed. Just make sure your saucepan is big enough to hold the larger batch and give everything a good stir so the flavors stay balanced.
How can I thin out the sauce if it gets too thick?
If your Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter thickens up, simply stir in a splash of seafood broth, water, or even a little extra lemon juice until you reach the perfect consistency for dipping or drizzling.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something special about gathering around the table and sharing a big, messy seafood feast with friends and family. With this Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter, you’ll have everyone licking their fingers and begging for the recipe. Give it a try—you’ll see just how quickly it becomes a new family favorite!
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Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/2 cups sauce
- Category: Sauce, Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Creole, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This rich and flavorful Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter is a perfect accompaniment to your favorite seafood boils. Made with a blend of melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and a mixture of aromatic spices including smoked paprika, cayenne, lemon pepper, and Old Bay seasoning, this sauce brings a delicious Cajun-Creole flair to crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, and even corn on the cob. The addition of fresh lemon juice and optional hot sauce adds brightness and heat, making every bite irresistible. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce or poured generously over cooked seafood for a restaurant-quality experience at home.
Ingredients
Butter & Oils
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Spices & Seasonings
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika (preferably smoked)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Additional Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a medium saucepan, gently melt the unsalted butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to let it brown as this can cause bitterness.
- Add Spices: Stir in the onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently to toast the spices and bring out their flavors.
- Incorporate Lemon Juice and Hot Sauce: Pour in the fresh lemon juice and add hot sauce if using. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting based on your preference for heat and seasoning.
- Simmer the Sauce: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully together and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat. If desired, stir in chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the sauce warm poured over seafood boil or as a rich dipping sauce alongside crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, or corn on the cob.
Notes
- This sauce pairs perfectly with crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, and corn on the cob.
- For a thinner consistency, stir in a splash of seafood broth or water.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving to prevent the butter from separating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
