Save It A festive, flavor-packed Southern-style seafood boil with juicy crab legs, plump shrimp, spicy sausage, potatoes, and corn, all tossed in aromatic Cajun spices. Perfect for sharing!
I first made this seafood boil for a summer gathering, and everyone loved piling their favorite bites onto plates right from the center of the table. It’s always a hit for celebrations and casual get-togethers alike!
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 (for serving): 2 tbsp, chopped
- Lemon wedges (for serving):
Instructions
- Prepare the boil:
- Fill a large stockpot with 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 potatoes and boil for 10 minutes.
- Add corn & sausage:
- Add corn and sausage segments. Boil for 7 minutes.
- Cook crab legs:
- Add crab legs and boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Boil just until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and discard:
- Drain the seafood and vegetables, discarding the cooking liquid and aromatics.
- Plate and serve:
- Transfer everything to a large platter or pile onto parchment paper for serving. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with parsley, and add lemon wedges on the side.
Save It Serving this for my family brings everyone together—my kids love digging in and choosing their favorite seafood. It’s a hands-on feast that’s always memorable!
Required Tools
Large stockpot (8 quart or larger), colander, tongs, large serving platter or parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains shellfish (crab, shrimp), dairy (butter) and possibly gluten or wheat from sausage and beer
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories: 620, Total Fat: 27 g, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 46 g
Save It Enjoy this communal feast with friends and family—it’s messier and so much more fun! Leftovers are excellent tossed in pasta the next day.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → How do I prevent seafood from overcooking?
Monitor shrimp and crab cooking times closely—remove them once shrimp turns pink and crab heats through to keep them tender.
- → Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, increase or decrease the cayenne pepper to tailor the spice level to your preference.
- → What type of sausage works best?
Andouille or smoked sausage add traditional flavor, but you can use kielbasa for a milder taste.
- → How should I serve the seafood boil?
Spread cooked ingredients on a platter or parchment, drizzle with butter, garnish with parsley, and offer lemon wedges.
- → What side dishes pair well?
Crusty bread helps soak up juices and crisp lager or chilled white wine complement the flavors nicely.
- → Can I omit the beer?
The beer is optional; simply substitute with more water for a similar result.