🦀 Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Crab

A fast, flavorful, buttery seafood dish made with tender imitation crab, fresh garlic, warm spices, and a splash of lemon. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and ready in 10 minutes — making it perfect for quick lunches, appetizers, or a simple weeknight meal. Serve it with rice, pasta, veggies, or crusty bread to soak up all that garlicky butter goodness!

🛒 Ingredients

• ½ lb imitation crab meat (about 1.5 cups)

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• Fresh parsley or green onion (optional for garnish)

🔥 7 Quick Directions

1. Prep the crab meat:
   Gently separate or flake the imitation crab so it cooks evenly and absorbs the butter and seasonings.

2. Melt the butter:
   Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until it begins to foam.

3. Add the garlic:
   Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).

4. Season the butter:
   Stir in Old Bay, salt, paprika, and black pepper to bloom the spices in the butter.

5. Add the crab:
   Place the imitation crab into the pan and gently toss to coat in the garlic butter mixture.

6. Warm through:
   Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the crab is heated evenly and buttery.

7. Finish with lemon:
   Turn off the heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the crab. Garnish with parsley or green onion if desired.

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