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