Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter Recipe

Finger-Licking Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter Recipe

Seafood nights spark joy for any home cook eager to create something spectacular.

A garlicky seafood boil sauce with butter promises to deliver mouthwatering flavors that dance on your palate.

Bold garlic notes blend seamlessly with rich, melted butter, creating a luxurious coating for your favorite shellfish.

Each spoonful brings a burst of aromatic intensity that elevates simple seafood into a restaurant-worthy dish.

The sauce comes together quickly with just a few pantry staples and minimal effort.

Fresh herbs and a pinch of spice complete this irresistible recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be the culinary hero at your next gathering with this incredible seafood sauce.

Storing Extra Sauce For Later Feasts

  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Transfer sauce to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing for longer periods as butter may separate.
  • Gently warm sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a splash of water or lemon juice to restore original consistency if needed.
  • Reheat in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating and prevent butter from separating.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients in this Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce?

The key ingredients are butter, garlic, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning, which create a rich and flavorful sauce perfect for seafood.

  • Can I adjust the amount of garlic in the sauce?

Yes, you can easily increase or decrease the amount of garlic based on your personal preference. More garlic will create a stronger, more intense flavor.

  • Is Old Bay seasoning necessary for this recipe?

While Old Bay seasoning adds a classic seafood flavor, you can substitute it with other seafood or Cajun seasonings if needed. The key is to maintain a balance of spices.

Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter: The Showstopper

  • This garlicky seafood boil sauce brings an intense burst of rich, buttery goodness that transforms ordinary seafood into a restaurant-worthy dish.
  • Prepare this sauce in mere minutes with just a few simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy cooks who want maximum taste with minimal effort.
  • Easily adjust the seasoning to match your personal spice preferences, creating a versatile sauce that works with shrimp, crab, lobster, or any seafood you love.
  • Elevate your meal with a professional-level sauce that looks and tastes sophisticated but requires zero culinary expertise to create.

Everything You Need For Seafood Boil Sauce

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that forms the foundation of the sauce.
  • Garlic: A pungent and aromatic ingredient that adds depth and flavor to the seafood boil sauce.
Seasonings:
  • Lemon Juice: A bright and tangy ingredient that adds a fresh citrus note to the sauce.
  • Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood spice blend that provides a traditional and zesty flavor profile.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the sauce.

Tools For The Ultimate Seafood Sauce

  • Large Saucepan: Perfect for melting butter and creating a smooth, rich sauce.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pan.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for mincing fresh garlic and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Used to finely mince garlic with precision.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring lemon juice and seasonings.

Mixing Up Garlicky, Buttery Seafood Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Butter Melting

Get a small saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat.

Gently melt the butter until it becomes smooth and liquid, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 2: Infuse With Aromatic Garlic

Toss the finely chopped garlic into the melted butter.

Stir and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until it releases its incredible fragrant aroma and turns slightly golden.

Step 3: Introduce Zesty Flavor Enhancers

Add these ingredients to the buttery garlic base:
  • Lemon juice
  • Old Bay seasoning

Whisk everything together and let the mixture simmer for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify.

Step 4: Create Final Seasoning Touch

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper according to your taste preference.

Give the sauce a final quick stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, and it’s ready to complement your favorite seafood dish.

Seafood Boil Sauce Tips & Secrets

  • Crush garlic cloves instead of mincing for a more intense and robust taste profile.
  • Use unsalted butter to manage salt levels and achieve a smoother sauce texture.
  • Adjust Old Bay seasoning quantity based on personal heat preference or dietary needs.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly from the fruit for brighter, more vibrant citrus notes.
  • Prepare sauce just before serving to maintain optimal temperature and prevent butter separation.

Sauce Twists & Creative Additions

  • Herb-Infused Seafood Sauce: Replace Old Bay seasoning with fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, and chives for a bright, garden-fresh flavor profile.
  • Spicy Cajun Version: Swap Old Bay for Cajun seasoning and add a dash of cayenne pepper to create a bold, fiery seafood sauce with extra kick.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut oil instead of butter and add nutritional yeast for a creamy, vegan-friendly seafood sauce that maintains rich flavor.
  • Low-Sodium Option: Eliminate added salt and use sodium-free herb blends or fresh herb combinations to reduce overall sodium content while keeping the sauce tasty.

Ways To Serve Seafood Boil Sauce

  • Seafood Feast Companion: Drizzle this buttery sauce directly over steamed crab, shrimp, or lobster for an instant flavor explosion.
  • Dipping Delight: Pour the sauce into small ramekins as a rich, zesty accompaniment for guests to dunk their favorite seafood pieces.
  • Bread Enhancer: Use this garlicky butter sauce as a mouthwatering spread for crusty French bread or sourdough, transforming a simple side into a restaurant-quality treat.
  • Pasta Partner: Toss the sauce with hot linguine or mix into cooked rice for a quick, luxurious seafood-inspired side dish that elevates any meal.
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Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter Recipe

Garlicky Seafood Boil Sauce with Butter Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Garlicky seafood boil sauce blends rich butter with zesty herbs for a mouthwatering coastal feast. Coastal kitchens buzz with flavor as home cooks create this simple, irresistible sauce perfect for weekend gatherings you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Liquid Ingredient:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Warm the butter in a compact saucepan over medium heat until completely liquefied, creating a smooth golden base.
  2. Introduce finely chopped garlic into the melted butter, allowing it to dance and release its aromatic essence for approximately 1-2 minutes, ensuring it becomes wonderfully fragrant without browning.
  3. Pour fresh lemon juice into the butter-garlic mixture, then sprinkle Old Bay seasoning, gently stirring to harmonize the flavors for an additional 1-2 minutes, creating a zesty and robust sauce.
  4. Delicately adjust the sauce’s profile with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper, tasting and refining until the perfect balance is achieved. Immediately remove from heat, preparing to drizzle over succulent seafood.

Notes

  • Boost Flavor by using fresh garlic cloves instead of pre-minced for a more intense, robust taste.
  • Customize Seasoning by adjusting Old Bay quantity to match personal spice preferences or dietary needs.
  • Prevent Burning ensure low-medium heat when sautéing garlic to avoid bitter, scorched flavor.
  • Make Ahead friendly sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving, maintaining its rich, buttery consistency.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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