How to Make Drawn Butter for Lobster & Crab

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Ever wonder how to make drawn butter for lobster and crabs? This homemade drawn butter recipe makes the easiest and most delicious dip for crab or lobster tails – it’s basically liquid gold. All you need is 1 ingredient: unsalted butter!

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What is Drawn Butter?

Drawn butter is the melted butter that is often paired alongside steamed seafood, like crab and lobster. This simple dip can be served on its own, but people often add lemon juice to drawn butter sauce for the ultimate seafood-eating experience.

Benefits of Using Drawn Butter

Rich & Smooth

First things first, why should you even care about drawn butter? Well, if you’re a fan of seafood, this is the dip of your dreams. It’s got a rich, smooth texture that just glides over the food. It takes the flavor of crab, lobster, and even shrimp to a whole new level.

Luxurious Seafood Feast

Drawn butter isn’t just any butter; it’s like butter that went to a fancy school. It adds a touch of luxury to your plate. Seriously, it turns dinner into an experience.

Health Perks (Kinda)

Now, we’re not saying drawn butter is health food, but it does have a higher smoking point. That means it’s a bit more stable when heated. Just keep an eye on the cholesterol and sodium!

Is Drawn Butter the Same As Clarified Butter?

Regular butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk to separate the butterfat from the buttermilk.

Drawn butter, on the other hand, is often referred to as clarified butter (aka ghee). It is a type of butter, usually unsalted, that has had almost all the water and milk protein removed, leaving only the fat.

Through this skimming process, clarified butter has negligible amounts of lactose casein and is often a recommended substitute for regular butter for those with lactose intolerance or casein sensitivity.

What You Need to Make Drawn Butter

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
• lemon juice, to serve (optional, but recommended)

How to Make Drawn Butter

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter on medium-low heat.
2. Once melted, you should notice a foamy white layer on top of the butter mixture. This is the butter’s milk solids. Use a heat-proof spoon to skim off and discard the foam.
3. When most of the foam has been removed, turn off the heat and remove the saucepan away from hot burner. At this point, the butter left over in the pan should look golden and not foamy – this is the butterfat.
4. Line a wire mesh strainer with cheesecloth, or a large coffee filter. Place the strainer over a large bowl. Carefully pour the butterfat through the strainer. You might discover more milk solids as you get to the bottom of the butter mixture. Leave the milk solids in the pan and don’t pour it through the strainer.
5. Pour the drawn butter (aka clarified butter) into an air-tight jar to use for later, or pour into a dipping bowl if serving immediately. Just before serving, squeeze some lemon juice and pair with freshly steamed seafood (especially crabs and lobster tail!)

Variations to this Drawn Butter Recipe

Get Spicy or Herby

You don’t have to stick to the basics. Add some herbs, spices, or even make it into garlic butter. A teaspoon of this, a sprinkle of that to jazz up your drawn butter for lobster and crabs.

Zest It Up

Citrus, anyone? A bit of lemon or lime zest can give your drawn butter that extra zing! Just grate it right into the small saucepan while you’re melting the butter.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Drawn Butter

Slow & Steady

When melting butter, use medium heat and keep an eye on the bottom of the pan. You don’t want to burn it. The slower you melt it, the better the taste.

Skimming Off the Top

You’ll see some foam form at the top. That’s what you wanna get rid of by straining it. You can use layers of cheesecloth or any straining device you’ve got handy.

Store & More

Done but have leftovers? Pour it into a jar and stick it in the refrigerator. It has a longer shelf life when drawn, so you can enjoy it later too!

Serving Suggestions

Beyond Lobster

Don’t just stop at lobster; drawn butter goes well with scallops, shrimp, and even grilled fish. Heck, drizzle it over grilled veggies too!

On the Grill

Speaking of grill, this stuff is like a marinade and dipping sauce in one. Great for grilled shrimp or scallops to dip in!

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If you make this Easy Drawn Butter Recipe for Lobster and Crabs, please drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think! Or take a picture and share it on Instagram by tagging @dwellbymichelle so I can repost it on my stories!

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