Short Description
A seafood boil is a bold, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing dish featuring fresh seafood, corn, potatoes, and sausage boiled in a spiced broth and tossed in a buttery garlic sauce. This Southern-inspired feast is perfect for gatherings, offering a fun and interactive dining experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with flavor – A rich blend of Cajun spices, garlic butter, and fresh seafood.
- Perfect for gatherings – A fun, communal meal for family and friends.
- Customizable – Use your favorite seafood and spice level.
- One-pot meal – Easy cleanup with minimal effort.
- Great for special occasions – Ideal for summer cookouts, holidays, or celebrations.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Boil:
- 2 lbs shrimp (shell-on for more flavor)
- 2 lbs crab legs (snow or king crab)
- 1 lb lobster tails (optional)
- 1 lb mussels or clams (cleaned)
- 1 lb smoked sausage (sliced, andouille or kielbasa)
- 4 ears corn (cut into halves)
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes (red or Yukon Gold)
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp salt
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup beer or chicken broth (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 1 cup butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Directions

- Boil the broth – In a large pot, bring water, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, salt, lemon slices, garlic, bay leaves, and beer (if using) to a boil.
- Cook the potatoes and corn – Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Then, add corn and sausage and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the seafood – Add crab legs, lobster tails, and mussels/clams. Cook for 5 minutes. Then, add shrimp and cook for 2-3 more minutes, until everything is fully cooked.
- Make the garlic butter sauce – In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Drain and toss – Drain the seafood and vegetables, then toss everything in the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish and serve – Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot with extra lemon wedges and dipping sauce.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Extra spicy – Add more Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper.
- Low-carb version – Skip the potatoes and corn, adding more seafood and sausage.
- Different seafood – Swap shrimp for crawfish or add scallops.
- Creamy garlic butter – Mix heavy cream into the butter sauce for a richer flavor.
- Grilled seafood boil – Grill the seafood separately and toss with the sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended for potatoes and corn, but seafood can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet with extra butter or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Cook potatoes, corn, and sausage on high pressure for 5 minutes, then add seafood and pressure cook for 2-3 minutes.
What’s the best seafood to use?
Shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, and clams are common, but you can mix and match.
Can I make it less spicy?
Yes! Reduce the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
How do I prevent overcooked seafood?
Add seafood at the end and cook just until done—shrimp takes 2-3 minutes!
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes! Just thaw it beforehand for even cooking.
What should I serve with a seafood boil?
Crusty bread, coleslaw, or a fresh salad pair well.
Can I use store-bought garlic butter?
Yes, but homemade garlic butter sauce adds more flavor.
How do I make this without Old Bay seasoning?
Use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, celery salt, and black pepper.
What’s the best pot size?
Use a large stockpot (at least 8 quarts) to fit all ingredients.
Can I add pasta?
Yes! Serve over buttered pasta for a seafood pasta boil twist.
Conclusion
A seafood boil is a fun, flavorful, and impressive dish perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting a summer feast or craving a hearty seafood meal, this easy one-pot recipe delivers bold flavors and juicy seafood in every bite. Try it today and enjoy a taste of Southern-style seafood at home!
PrintSeafood Boil Recipe
This Seafood Boil is a classic, flavorful dish loaded with shrimp, crab, lobster, and more, all cooked in a rich, spicy, and buttery broth. Packed with bold Cajun seasoning, corn, potatoes, and sausage, this one-pot feast is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or a fun weekend meal!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun, Southern
Ingredients
For the Seafood Boil:
- 4 quarts (16 cups) water
- 3 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 lb baby potatoes (red or gold)
- 4 ears corn, cut into halves
- 1 lb smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 lb crab legs (snow crab or king crab)
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on)
- 1 lb mussels or clams, cleaned
- 2 lobster tails, split in half (optional)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Boil Base
- Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts of water.
- Add Old Bay, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, lemon halves, and garlic cloves.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 2: Cook the Ingredients
- Add baby potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and sausage, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add crab legs, shrimp, mussels, and lobster tails. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the shellfish have opened.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
- Stir in garlic, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and parsley. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 4: Drain & Serve
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the seafood, sausage, corn, and potatoes to a large serving tray.
- Drizzle with garlic butter sauce and toss gently.
- Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and melted butter.
Notes
- Spicy Option: Add 1 tbsp cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the boil.
- No Seafood Steamer? Cook everything in a large Dutch oven or slow cooker.
- Extra Flavor: Toss the seafood in more garlic butter sauce before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.