Garlic Butter Brown Crab Claws with Lemon & Chilli

A Taste of the Coast

This dish combines the rich, briny flavour of fresh brown crab claws with a buttery garlic sauce and a touch of local heat — perfect for a starter or sharing platter at a braai or seafood feast.

Ingredients

Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

  • 800g cooked brown crab claws (defrosted if frozen)
  • 4 Tbsp salted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 fresh red chilli, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional but adds a lovely warmth)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To serve:

  • Lemon wedges
  • Crusty bread or roosterkoek for dipping

Three Streams Smokehouse is proud to partner with Woolworths South Africa in the retail sector, supplying sustainably sourced and responsibly farmed Norwegian Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and a variety of other premium-quality seafood products.

As of 2024, we are honoured to not only supply Woolworths in the Deli, Frozen, and Primal categories but also to have taken over the management and supply of their Fresh Seafood Counters.

This partnership means that Three Streams Smokehouse now proudly supplies an extensive range of seafood products to Woolworths stores across the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal regions.

Method

Prepare the claws
Lightly crack the crab claws using the back of a knife or a crab cracker to make it easier to access the meat once cooked.

Make the garlic butter sauce
In a large pan over medium heat, add butter and olive oil. When the butter starts to foam, add the garlic and chilli. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).

Add the claws
Add the crab claws to the pan and toss gently to coat them in the buttery mixture. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Season & finish
Add the lemon juice, zest, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss again to coat evenly. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Serve
Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle any remaining butter sauce over the top, and serve immediately with lemon wedges and warm bread for dipping.

Serving Suggestion
Pair with:
A crisp Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc
A side of braaied corn on the cob with herb butter
A fresh green salad or paprika potato wedges

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