The star of the show at Juicy Crab is their addictive, signature Juicy Special sauce. This tangy, spicy, and buttery sauce takes ordinary seafood boils to extraordinary levels of flavor. But what exactly is in this top-secret recipe?
As a longtime fan of Juicy Crab, I’ve cracked the code on decoding the complex blend of flavors that makes their Juicy Special so unique and irresistible. Keep reading to learn all about this famous sauce so you can bring the Juicy Crab experience home.
Juicy Crab is a seafood restaurant chain founded in 2015 specializing in Louisiana-style crab boils. They are best known for cooking up fresh snow crab, lobster, shrimp, crawfish and more in their signature seasoned broths
The Juicy Special is their most popular sauce – a smooth creamy orange concoction that packs a serious flavor punch. It’s generously drizzled over seafood boils used as a dipping sauce, and even sold by the bottle. Fans can’t get enough of its spicy, garlicky, tangy Cajun essence.
But what exactly gives this sauce its uniquely addictive flavor? Let’s break it down.
Main Ingredients in Juicy Special Sauce
While the exact recipe is confidential, interviews with former employees and copycat recipes have revealed the main components of Juicy Special sauce:
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Butter – The base is sticks of salted and unsalted butter to provide a rich, creamy texture.
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Garlic – Minced and powdered garlic adds a pungent kick.
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Lemon – Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce tangy acidity.
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Cajun seasoning – A special proprietary blend called Juicy Crab seasoning.
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Tabasco or cayenne – Provides signature heat and red-orange color.
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Onion – Diced white onion and onion powder for savory depth.
So butter, garlic, lemon and Cajun heat are the foundation. But there’s more to this sauce’s complex flavor.
Hidden Ingredients That Make It “Pop”
In addition to the core components, Juicy Special sauce contains harder-to-detect seasonings that enhance its overall flavor:
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Old Bay – Adds warmth and savoriness.
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Paprika – Provides a subtle smoky taste.
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Black pepper – Finishes it with a bite of peppery spice.
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Oregano – Earthy herb flavor.
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Thyme – Extra layer of savory aroma.
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Red pepper flakes – For an extra kick of heat.
Together these supporting actors work seamlessly to create a sauce bursting with flavor.
The Significance of Butter
Butter is more than just a base – it’s pivotal to releasing the flavors of the spices through fat solubility. The butter also gives the sauce a silky texture and sheen.
Most recipes call for a stick or two of salted butter and a stick or two of unsalted. The combination provides deep, rich butteriness.
Trying to lighten up the sauce by using less butter will sacrifice some of that signature creaminess and flavor impact.
Optimal Cooking Method
The cooking technique is also vital to developing the complex Juicy Special taste.
First, the butter, garlic and onion are sautéed briefly to meld the flavors. Then the Cajun seasoning and pepper flakes get stirred in so they bloom in the hot butter.
Simmering for a few minutes allows the ingredients to further blend together into one cohesive, flavor-packed sauce.
Pairings That Make the Sauce Shine
While undeniably delicious on its own, Juicy Special sauce was designed to complement and enhance seafood:
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Crab legs – The butter soaks into the meat, taking it next level.
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Shrimp – The spice mixture beautifully seasons the shrimp.
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Crawfish – The sauce gets into all the nooks and crannies.
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Lobster tails – Draws out the natural sweetness.
The sauce is also great for dipping French fries, garlic bread and other snacks.
Storage and Shelf Life
The fresh garlic and lemon give Juicy Special sauce the most punch in the first 5 days. After that, the brightness begins mellowing out.
For maximum spice and tang, use any leftovers within a week and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. The butter may separate after thawing but will reincorporate when stirred or reheated.
How to Use Juicy Special at Home
Recreate the Juicy Crab experience at home with these tips:
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Simmer raw shrimp or lobster tails in the sauce to infuse with flavor.
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Toss fried seafood in the sauce after cooking for a quick sauce bath.
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Stir sauce into rice or pasta for a quick, spicy seafood side.
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Brush sauce on fish, chicken or shrimp before grilling or broiling.
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Incorporate into dipping sauces for bread, fries or crackers.
Drizzle this powerhouse sauce over anything you’d typically squeeze lemon on – it’s sure to become a favorite condiment!
Making a Lighter Version
To give the sauce a slimmer nutrition profile:
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Use half butter, half olive oil.
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Increase lemon juice and decrease butter.
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Omit old bay and paprika for fewer calories.
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Use milk instead of broth for a lower-fat base.
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Skip the sugary Cajun seasoning blends.
Copycat Hacks to Nail the Flavor
Recreating the distinctive Juicy Crab sauce flavor at home takes a few insider tricks:
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Use both granulated and powdered garlic for layered garlic intensity.
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Simmer for 5+ minutes to concentrate the spice flavors.
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Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami.
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Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste for increased richness.
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Finish with a pinch of MSG to amplify the savory taste.
Getting every nuance perfect takes lots of trial and error, but follow my tips and you’ll be enjoying Juicy Crab-caliber sauce in your own kitchen.
FAQs About Juicy Special Sauce
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this iconic sauce:
Is Juicy Special sauce just melted butter and Old Bay?
It contains way more seasonings than just Old Bay to create its signature flavor.
What’s the difference between Juicy Special and garlic butter?
While butter and garlic are main components, Juicy Special has many other seasonings that give it a unique Cajun flavor.
Is Juicy Special spicy?
It contains cayenne and red pepper flakes so has a noticeable level of heat. But it isn’t overly spicy.
What do they put in the boil?
The seafood boil contains crab, sausage, shrimp, potatoes and corn boiled in Juicy Crab seasoning.
Can you buy Juicy Special sauce?
Yes, it is available bottled online and in some franchise locations to take home.
The Secret to Endless Craving
Magic happens when butter meets spice – and Juicy Crab has perfected the recipe with their proprietary Juicy Special sauce. The complex medley of seasonings, garlic, citrus and butter is an unmatched pairing with fresh seafood.
Understanding the key ingredients and ideal cooking methods helps unpack why this sauce is so craveable. Now you can recreate the Juicy Crab phenomenon in your own kitchen!
