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 everyone loved gathering around the table, cracking crab legs and sharing stories. It brings people together for special occasions and makes every meal memorable.
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: 1 tsp (optional, for heat)
- Water: 8 cups (2 L)
- Light beer: 1 bottle (12 oz/355 ml, optional)
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (115 g), melted
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
- Lemon wedges: for serving
Instructions
- Make the broth:
- Fill a large stockpot with 8 cups water and beer (if using). Add Old Bay/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:
- Put in corn and sausage. Boil for 7 minutes.
- Add crab legs:
- Place crab legs in. Boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Add shrimp. Boil just until pink and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and serve:
- Drain seafood and vegetables, discarding cooking liquid and aromatics. Transfer to large platter or pile on parchment. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle chopped parsley, and serve with extra lemon wedges.
Save When I set the platter on our kitchen island, my kids raced in, eager to help themselves and dip everything in buttery sauce. It’s always a hit at birthdays and holiday weekends!
Required Tools
Large stockpot (8 quart or larger), colander, tongs, and a large serving platter or parchment paper make serving easy and fun.
Allergen Information
This dish contains shellfish (crab, shrimp) and dairy (butter). Sausage and beer may contain wheat or soy, so check labels if you have allergies.
Nutritional Information
Each serving offers about 620 calories, 27 g total fat, 48 g carbohydrates, and 46 g protein.
Save Enjoy this festive boil straight from the table & savor each bite with fresh lemon. Make it your own by mixing your favorite seafood and spices!
Kitchen Q&A
- → What spices are used in the boil?
Old Bay or Cajun seasoning combined with smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, and lemon slices create the aromatic base.
- → How long should each ingredient be boiled?
Potatoes boil for 10 minutes, corn and sausage for 7 minutes, crab legs for 5 minutes, and shrimp for 2–3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
- → Can the sausage be substituted?
Yes, andouille sausage can be replaced with kielbasa or other smoked sausages without losing flavor.
- → What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve it piled high on a large platter or parchment-lined table, drizzled with melted butter, sprinkled with parsley, and accompanied by lemon wedges.
- → Are there any beverage pairings suggested?
This dish pairs well with a crisp lager or chilled white wine to balance the spices and richness.
- → How can I adjust the heat level?
The cayenne pepper amount can be increased or reduced based on your preferred spice tolerance.