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 made this seafood boil for my family last summer and everyone loved gathering around the table picking their favorite bites and sharing laughs over a big spread. It's a dish that's as much about the experience as the bold flavors.
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 (for serving): 1/2 cup (115 g) melted
- Fresh parsley (for serving): 2 tbsp chopped
- Lemon wedges (for serving):
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking liquid:
- 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 to boiling liquid and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and sausage:
- Add corn and sausage and boil for 7 minutes.
- Add crab legs:
- Add crab legs and boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp:
- Add shrimp and boil just until pink and cooked through about 2 3 minutes.
- Drain and discard aromatics:
- Drain the seafood and vegetables discarding the cooking liquid and aromatics.
- Serve:
- Transfer everything to a large platter or pile on table with parchment paper. Drizzle with melted butter sprinkle with parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.
Save Our favorite seafood boils are always full of laughter and a little friendly competition over the last crab leg making every bite memorable for the family.
Required Tools
Large stockpot (8-quart or larger) colander tongs and a big serving platter or parchment paper to pile everything up for sharing.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains shellfish crab and shrimp dairy butter and may have gluten from sausage and beer. Always check sausage labels for wheat or soy if needed.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides around 620 calories 27 g fat 48 g carbohydrates and 46 g protein for a hearty meal.
Save This Southern-style seafood boil packs a punch of flavor and is sure to bring everyone together for a joyful meal. Enjoy every bite with friends and family!
Recipe FAQ
- → What spices create the signature flavor?
The boil uses Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne, garlic, and onion to build a robust Southern flavor profile.
- → How is the cooking sequence organized?
Start boiling potatoes, then add corn and sausage, followed by crab legs, and finish with shrimp to ensure everything cooks perfectly.
- → Can I substitute the sausage?
Yes, andouille sausage can be replaced with kielbasa or other smoked sausages based on preference.
- → What is the purpose of adding beer to the boil?
Beer adds a subtle depth and enhances the aromatic broth but is optional for those who prefer to omit it.
- → How should the dish be served?
Drain all ingredients then arrange on a large platter or parchment, drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
- → Are there common allergens to watch for?
This dish contains shellfish and dairy; sausage and beer may contain gluten, so check labels if sensitive.