Save A festive, flavor-packed Southern-style seafood boil featuring juicy crab legs, plump shrimp, spicy sausage, potatoes, and corn tossed with aromatic Cajun spices. This lively main dish is ideal for gatherings, bringing bold flavors and excitement to the table.
I still remember the first time I made a seafood boil for a group of friends. The aroma of Cajun spices filled the kitchen, and everyone gathered around the table, eager to dig in together. It's become our go-to celebration meal for summer and holidays.
Ingredients
- Snow crab legs: 2 lbs (900 g), cleaned
- Large shrimp: 1.5 lbs (680 g), shell-on, deveined
- Andouille or smoked sausage: 1 lb (450 g), sliced into 1-inch pieces
- Baby potatoes: 1.5 lbs (680 g), halved
- Corn: 4 ears, cut into thirds
- Onion: 1 large, quartered
- Lemon: 1, sliced
- Garlic: 4 cloves, smashed
- Old Bay or Cajun seasoning: 1/4 cup (35 g)
- Smoked paprika: 2 tsp
- Salt: 2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1 tsp
- Cayenne pepper (optional): 1 tsp
- Water: 8 cups (2 L)
- Light beer (optional): 1 bottle (12 oz/355 ml)
- Unsalted butter for serving: 1/2 cup (115 g), melted
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
- Lemon wedges: for serving
Instructions
- Prepare boiling liquid:
- Fill a large stockpot with 8 cups water and beer (if using). Add Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic, onion, and lemon slices. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Cook potatoes:
- Add the potatoes and boil for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and sausage:
- Put in the corn and sliced sausage; boil for 7 minutes.
- Add crab legs:
- Drop in the crab legs and let boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Add shrimp and boil just until pink and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and transfer:
- Drain all seafood and vegetables, discarding the cooking liquid and aromatics.
- Serve:
- Transfer everything to a large platter or cover a table with parchment and pile the boil on top. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with extra lemon wedges.
Save When we make this for our family, everyone pitches in—someone checks the stockpot, another slices lemons, and there's always a line for seconds. Sharing a seafood boil brings us all together.
Required Tools
Large stockpot, colander, tongs, large serving platter or parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains shellfish (crab, shrimp), sausage (may contain gluten, soy, or wheat), and dairy (butter).
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides approximately 620 calories, 27 g fat, 48 g carbohydrates, and 46 g protein.
Save A seafood boil is all about family, laughter, and flavorful sharing. Enjoy every messy, delicious bite!
Kitchen Tips & Answers
- → What type of sausage works best in this boil?
Andouille or smoked sausage adds a smoky, spicy flavor that complements the seafood and vegetables well.
- → Can I adjust the heat level in the boil?
Yes, cayenne pepper can be increased or reduced to suit your preferred spice level without overpowering the other flavors.
- → How do I know when the shrimp are cooked?
The shrimp turn pink and opaque when done, usually after 2–3 minutes of boiling.
- → Is it necessary to discard the boiling liquid?
Yes, draining the seafood and vegetables removes the cooking aromatics and spices, providing a cleaner presentation and taste.
- → What sides pair well with this dish?
Crusty bread is ideal to soak up juices, and beverages like a crisp lager or chilled white wine complement the flavors nicely.