How to Make Crafty Crab Boom Sauce at Home

Crafty Crab boom sauce is a beloved condiment typically served alongside seafood boils and po’boys at the restaurant chain Crafty Crab. With its addictive blend of garlic lemon, and Cajun seasoning this sauce adds an explosion of flavor to any dish.

While the original recipe is a closely guarded secret I’ve cracked the code on how to make authentic-tasting Crafty Crab boom sauce right in your own kitchen. In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn all the tips and tricks to whip up this top-secret sauce.

For those not familiar, Crafty Crab is a restaurant chain specializing in seafood boils and po’boys. The name comes from their signature sauce – the Crafty Crab boom sauce.

This sauce features a base of butter and lemon juice amped up with garlic, onions, Cajun seasoning, and spices. It has a rich, creamy texture from the melted butter with a tangy zip from the lemon and heat from the Cajun spices.

The sauce is served warm, often poured directly over a seafood boil. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for the restaurant’s famous po’boy sandwiches.

Fans rave about the complex flavors and many have tried copying it at home. But with its secret blend of seasonings, it’s tricky to replicate.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to produce a spot-on homemade version bursting with the same great taste.

Tips for Making Crafty Crab Boom Sauce

Here are some tips to ensure your Crafty Crab boom sauce tastes as authentic as possible:

• Use high-quality ingredients. With just a few main ingredients, it’s important to use the best butter, garlic, lemons, etc.

• Make your own Cajun seasoning. To control the flavor, I recommend making your own blend instead of store-bought.

• Saute the aromatics. Cook the onion and garlic before adding other ingredients to deepen the flavor.

• Add heat gradually. Start with just a pinch of cayenne and add more if needed to customize the heat level.

• Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled doesn’t have the same bright, fresh taste. Squeeze it right before using.

• Simmer the sauce briefly. 2-3 minutes of simmering melds the flavors beautifully.

• Refrigerate overnight. Letting it chill in the fridge improves the flavor significantly.

Follow these tips and your homemade boom sauce will impress even the biggest Crafty Crab fans.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make about 1 cup of sauce, you’ll need:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
• Cayenne pepper and salt to taste

Of course, you can double or triple this recipe to make more sauce at once. Just maintain the ratios of ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for incredible from-scratch Crafty Crab boom sauce:

1. Prepare the onion and garlic

Peel and mince the garlic. Finely dice the onion. Having them prepped makes the cooking go faster.

2. Melt the butter

Add 1 stick of unsalted butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the onion and garlic.

3. Saute the aromatics

Cook for 3-5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Season lightly with salt.

4. Add remaining ingredients

Next, stir in the second stick of butter, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, mustard and parsley.

5. Simmer briefly

Allow the sauce to come up to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.

6. Taste and adjust

Add cayenne pepper and salt if needed. Add more lemon for acidity or Cajun seasoning for spice.

7. Cool completely

Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight before using.

And your homemade Crafty Crab boom sauce is ready enjoy! Drizzle it over seafood, chicken, veggies and more.

Serving Suggestions

Crafty Crab boom sauce is endlessly versatile beyond just seafood. Try it with:

• Po’boy sandwiches – spread on bread or use as a dip.

• Grilled meats – great sauce for chicken, pork and beef.

• Tacos – give fish or shrimp tacos a flavor punch.

• Steamed vegetables – broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc.

• Fries or tater tots – perfect dipping sauce!

• Crab cakes or fried fish – delicious topping.

• Grilled oysters or clams on the half shell.

Get creative with how you use this sauce in recipes. It adds flavor to everything it touches!

storage and Shelf Life

Store leftover boom sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

The butter may separate after freezing – just stir before use to reincorporate. Reheating gently before serving is recommended.

For maximum fresh lemon flavor, try to use within 5-7 days. The garlic, onion and spices will start to lose potency after that.

Customize the Sauce Flavor

Once you master the basic recipe, put your own spin on it:

• Add cayenne, Tabasco or red pepper flakes for extra heat.

• Use Cajun seasoning blends like Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s.

• Swap parsley for cilantro for a Tex-Mex vibe.

• Stir in some grated Parmesan for a creamier texture.

• Use a blend of butter and olive oil instead of just butter.

• Add old bay seasoning, smoked paprika or celery salt.

• Infuse flavors by sautéing lemon slices, whole garlic cloves or fresh herbs in the butter before mixing everything.

Have fun with it! The possibilities are endless for customizing to your tastes.

FAQs

Got questions about making this popular sauce at home? Here are some common ones:

Can I use salted butter?

You can, just reduce the amount of salt you add to avoid over-salting. Unsalted butter has a richer flavor.

Is fresh lemon juice necessary?

Strongly recommended for bright, fresh flavor. Bottled lemon juice works but taste and quality vary.

How hot does Crafty Crab boom sauce get?

It has mild to medium heat. Adjust the cayenne to suit your preferred spice level.

Can I use jarred minced garlic?

For convenience, yes. But flavor will be less pronounced than fresh garlic.

How long does it last in the fridge or freezer?

About 2 weeks refrigerated, 2-3 months in the freezer.

Mastering this top-secret Crafty Crab boom sauce is easier than you think! In less than 30 minutes, you can have delicious, flavor-packed sauce ready to take your meals to the next level. Give this recipe a try and get ready for some finger-licking flavor.