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 seafood boil for a summer family reunion, and it quickly became the highlight of the evening with everyone grabbing their favorite piece straight off the table.
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, melted: 1/2 cup (115 g)
- Fresh parsley, chopped: 2 tbsp
- Lemon wedges: for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the boil:
- 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.
- Add potatoes:
- Place baby potatoes into the boiling pot; cook for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and sausage:
- Slice corn into thirds and sausage into pieces, then add both to the pot; boil for 7 minutes.
- Add crab legs:
- Add cleaned crab legs; boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Add shrimp and cook just until pink and through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and serve:
- Drain seafood and vegetables, discarding cooking liquid and aromatics. Transfer everything to a platter or cover a table with parchment and pile the boil on top.
- Finish and enjoy:
- Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Save Watching everyone dig in together, from kids picking shrimp to grandparents sharing stories around the table, makes this boil extra special every time.
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 possible gluten in sausage and beer. Check sausage labels for wheat or soy.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 620 | Total Fat: 27 g | Carbohydrates: 48 g | Protein: 46 g (per serving)
Save A seafood boil creates lasting memories full of flavor with every bite. Gather your loved ones and enjoy this festive Southern feast together!