10+ Dipping Sauces for Crab Legs (Easy Recipes!)

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Crab legs are a delicious and decadent seafood dish that is perfect for a special occasion. But what makes crab legs even better is a delicious dipping sauce. Here’s 10+ tasty dipping sauces for crab legs to try out!

Collage of dipping sauces for crab legs with text overlay.

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Here are some tips for serving crab legs with sauce:

  • Serve the sauce in a small bowl or ramekin so that guests can dip their crab legs as they eat.
  • If you are serving a variety of sauces, label each one so that guests know what they are.
  • If you are serving the crab legs at a party, set out a variety of dipping sauces so that guests can choose their favorite.
  • Be sure to serve them with some tasty sides. Here’s 20+ side dishes for crab legs.

No matter what sauce you choose, crab legs are sure to be a delicious and decadent treat!

PS – Be sure to check out these 35+ tasty crab recipes too!

The BEST Dipping Sauces for Crab Legs

Small bowl of crab butter next to cracked crabs on newspapers.
Garlic Butter Sauce
This is a classic sauce that is always a crowd-pleaser. It is made with melted butter, garlic, and herbs, and it is the perfect way to enhance the flavor of the crab meat.
Get the RECIPE
Crab leg dipped in whole shabang sauce.
Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce
Cajun garlic butter sauce is a flavorful and spicy sauce that is perfect for crab legs. It is made with melted butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and hot sauce, and it provides a nice kick of heat.
Get the RECIPE
Tartar Sauce (the Best Crab Cake Sauce Recipe)
Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is another classic sauce that is often served with crab legs. It is made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, and onions, and it provides a tangy and refreshing contrast to the richness of the crab meat.
Get the RECIPE from Le Creme de La Crumb
Overhead shot of shrimp arranged on white plate with cocktail forks and bowl of cocktail sauce in the middle.
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Homemade cocktail sauce is a great way to add a bit of spice to your crab legs. It is made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice, and it provides a nice balance of flavors.
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Lemon Aioli
Lemon aioli is a bright and flavorful sauce that is perfect for crab legs. It is made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, and it provides a nice balance of flavors.
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Konfidence
Green Cocktail Sauce
Green cocktail sauce is a refreshing and flavorful sauce that is perfect for crab legs. It is made with mayonnaise, horseradish, green grapes, and cucumber, and it provides a nice contrast of flavors and textures.
Get the RECIPE from Epicurious
Ginger and Scallion Crab (Best Chinese Recipe) - Rasa Malaysia
Ginger Sauce
Ginger sauce is a refreshing and flavorful sauce that is perfect for crab legs. It is made with ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, and it provides a nice contrast of flavors and textures.
Get the RECIPE from Rasa Malaysia
Wasabi Cocktail Sauce
Wasabi cocktail sauce is a spicy and flavorful sauce that is perfect for those who like a bit of heat with their crab legs. It is made with mayonnaise, wasabi paste, and horseradish, and it provides a nice kick of heat.
Get the RECIPE from Gluten Free and More
Spicy Mustard Seafood Sauce
Creamy Mustard Sauce
Creamy mustard sauce is a flavorful and versatile sauce that is perfect for crab legs. It is made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and horseradish, and it provides a nice balance of flavors.
Get the RECIPE from A Spicy Perspective
Sauce with spoon in skillet.
Diablo Sauce
Diablo sauce is a spicy and flavorful sauce that is perfect for those who like a bit of heat with their crab legs. It is made with chili peppers, tomatoes, vinegar, and spices, and it provides a nice kick of heat.
Get the RECIPE
Spoon stirring yellow herb sauce in small white bowl
Lemon Butter Sauce
This lemon butter sauce, made with dry white wine and fresh dill, is the upgrade your next crab dish craves!
Get the RECIPE
Overhead shot of remoulade in bowl with shrimp surrounding it.
Remoulade Sauce
This Louisiana-style Remoulade Sauce is a smoky and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for crab, po’ boys, fried green tomatoes, and crab cakes.
Get the RECIPE

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these crab dipping sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Seafood Sauce Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Crab Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for crab legs. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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PS – Be sure to check out these 35+ tasty crab recipes too!

Crabs on newspaper with small bowls of dipping butter.

10+ Dipping Sauces for Crab Legs

Crab legs are a delicious and decadent seafood dish that is perfect for a special occasion. But what makes crab legs even better is a delicious dipping sauce. Here's 10+ tasty dipping sauces for crab legs to try out! Try this easy Crab Butter. Keep it simple with the base recipe or take it up a notch with any of the 3 flavor variations (garlic, lemon, and spicy)!
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

  • ½ pound unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • Kosher salt (to taste)

Garlic Crab Butter

  • 3 cloves garlic (grated or finely minced)

Spicy Crab Butter

Lemon Crab Butter

  • ½ lemon (juiced )
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  • Add the butter to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow to boil for one minute.
  • Remove the butter from the heat and allow to cool, without stirring, until the milk solids rise to the top. Skim off the solids with a spoon and pour the butter into a serving bowl or glass measuring cup.
  • Season with a pinch of salt, to taste.
  • If desired, stir in additional seasonings. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Any extras can be stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 6 months.
  • When it’s time to reheat the crab sauce, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat until the butter is remelted. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 15 to 20-second increments.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Small saucepan

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 814IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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