Save 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 recipe for a family reunion and instantly became the go-to cook for our seafood boils. The combination of crab, shrimp, sausage, and veggies makes every bite memorable!
Ingredients
- Snow crab legs: 2 lbs (900 g), cleaned
- Large shrimp: 1.5 lbs (680 g), shell-on, deveined
- Andouille sausage 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 for heat
- Water: 8 cups (2 L)
- Light beer (optional): 1 bottle (12 oz/355 ml)
- Unsalted butter, melted: 1/2 cup (115 g)
- Fresh parsley, chopped: 2 tbsp
- Lemon wedges: for serving
Instructions
- Prepare boiling liquid:
- Fill a large stockpot with 8 cups water and beer. 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. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and sausage:
- Stir in corn and sausage. Boil for 7 minutes.
- Add crab legs:
- Place crab legs in pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Add shrimp. Boil just until pink and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and assemble:
- Drain seafood and vegetables. Discard cooking liquid and aromatics.
- Serve:
- Transfer everything to a large platter or a table covered in parchment. Drizzle melted butter on top, sprinkle chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Save My kids always love helping at the table when we pour out the seafood boil for everyone to dig in together. It brings back happy memories every time!
Required Tools
Large stockpot, colander, tongs, and a serving platter or parchment paper are essential for preparing and serving this boil.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains shellfish (crab, shrimp) and dairy (butter). Sausage and beer may have gluten, soy, or wheat. Review ingredient labels for dietary needs.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has 620 calories, 27 g total fat, 48 g carbohydrates, and 46 g protein, making it satisfying and great for feeding a crowd.
Save This seafood boil is sure to become a favorite centerpiece for your next gathering. Grab plenty of napkins—it gets messy, but that's the fun!
Recipe Guide
- → What type of sausage works best?
Andouille or smoked sausage lends a spicy, smoky flavor that complements the seafood and spices perfectly.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, modify cayenne pepper to taste for milder or spicier results without altering core flavors.
- → How do I prevent overcooking the shrimp?
Add shrimp last and boil just 2-3 minutes until pink and firm to keep them tender.
- → What sides pair well with this dish?
Crusty bread and crisp lager or chilled white wine complement the rich, savory flavors nicely.
- → Can I use other seafood options?
Snow crab and shrimp are ideal, but you can substitute with lobster or clams for variation.