Fresh shrimp, lobster, clams, crab, potatoes, corn, and sausage are boiled in a tasty broth in this seafood boil. An impressive meal in one pot that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!.
People always love fresh seafood. When I want to make a dish that really stands out, I like to make bacon-wrapped scallops, garlic butter shrimp, or this amazing seafood boil.
When I’m looking to enjoy some fresh shellfish, I often end up making a mixed seafood boil. It’s a great choice because everything goes into one pot, it’s tasty, and it’s a great way to make expensive ingredients like lobster and crab last longer by mixing them with cheaper ones like corn and potatoes.
Crab boils are a quintessential summer tradition in coastal areas. The communal experience of dumping fresh seafood onto newspaper-covered tables for everyone to devour is so fun. While crab boils originated in Louisiana their popularity has spread nationwide. If you want to host a crab boil at home follow these simple steps.
Plan the Crab Boil
First, determine the guest list, date, time, and location Crab boils work best outdoors since they tend to get messy Make sure you have a place to set up a table covered in paper.
Next, create your shopping list. You’ll need:
-
Seafood – crabs, shrimp, crawfish, clams, etc. Allow 1-2 lbs per person.
-
Smoked sausage
-
Corn on the cob
-
Potatoes
-
Crab boil seasoning – can make your own or use a pack like Old Bay
-
Melted butter for dipping
-
Newspaper or butcher paper to cover tables
-
Large pots, strainers, tongs, etc.
-
Plates, napkins, utensils, cups, lemons
Purchase seafood as fresh as possible. Shop 1-2 days before the boil.
Prep the Crab Boil
Thaw frozen seafood in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking. Prepare sides like corn and potatoes. Snap off husks, peel potatoes and cut into chunks.
Make your crab boil seasoning mix. Common ingredients include:
- Old Bay seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Lemon juice
Combine seasoning and pour into small bowls for dipping.
Cover table(s) with a few layers of newspaper or butcher paper. I recommend taping it down to prevent slipping.
Fill large pots halfway with water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Cook the Crab Boil Feast
Once boiling, add potatoes and cook 5 minutes. Then add corn and smoked sausage. Cook 5 more minutes.
Next, dump in crabs, shrimp, mussels, etc. Cook until bright orange and shells open, 5-10 minutes.
Use a strainer to transfer cooked seafood into empty buckets or pots. Carefully pour spicy boiling broth from cook pot into pitchers for dipping.
Host an Epic Crab Boil Party
Display seafood piles on table covered in paper. Provide plenty of napkins, utensils, plates, dipping bowls.
Encourage guests to dig in! Crack crab shells, peel shrimp, rip corn off the cob. Dunk seafood into spicy broth for added flavor.
Set out lemon wedges, melted butter, and extra seasoning to further customize.
Provide large buckets for shells/debris. Line with trash bags for easy cleanup. Supply wet wipes for messy hands.
Most importantly, embrace the joyful chaos of a crab boil! Play upbeat music and relish the experience. The food always tastes better eaten communally.
Top Tips for Crab Boil Success
Here are some extra pointers to ensure your crab boil goes smoothly:
-
Check for shellfish allergies among guests beforehand. Provide alternate proteins if needed.
-
Use multiple pots to cook seafood in batches and keep things hot.
-
Have gloves and mallets available for cracking stubborn crab shells.
-
Chill extra broth and seafood for amazing leftovers later.
-
Display signs reminding people to check shells for leftovers before discarding.
-
Set up a hose or buckets of water for easy clean-up afterwards.
-
Take photos of the newspaper-covered spread before digging in!
Favorite Crab Boil Recipes
While you can’t go wrong with the classic Old Bay seasoning, there are some tasty variations on crab boils worth trying:
-
Cajun Crab Boil – Use Creole seasoning mix and add cayenne for extra heat.
-
Low Country Boil – Traditional flavors like lemongrass and bay leaves.
-
Beer Boil – Simmer ingredients in cheap beer and seasonings.
-
Garlic Butter Boil – Saute garlic in melted butter before pouring over seafood.
-
Backyard Seafood Boil – Beyond crabs, load up on clams, mussels, lobster.
Make It a Crab Boil Feast
A crab boil spread doesn’t stop at the seafood! Round out the menu with:
-
Cornbread – Essential for soaking up juices.
-
Coleslaw – Crunchy, creamy potato salad alternative.
-
Watermelon – Fresh fruit balances the heaviness.
-
Iced tea – For washing everything down.
-
Beer – Goes perfectly with spicy seafood.
-
Dessert – Berries, cookies, or popsicles.
Your guests will be stuffed and satisfied after a spread like this! The joy of crab boils is the carefree, hands-on eating experience they provide among friends and family. Just relax and dive right in!
HOW DO YOU MAKE A SEAFOOD BOIL?
This recipe contains shrimp, lobster, crab, clams, potatoes, corn and sausage. All of the ingredients are boiled in a seasoned broth, then tossed in a little butter. Add a sprinkling of parsley and some lemon wedges, and dinner is served.
TIPS FOR SEAFOOD BOIL
- For this recipe, I suggest getting the biggest shrimp you can find. I use 16-20 count jumbo shrimp.
- You can use other types of crab, like spiny lobster tail, snow crab, or king crab, instead of Maine lobster tails and Dungeness crab legs.
- This recipe works best with fresh corn on the cob. You can use white, yellow, or bi-color corn.
- Red potatoes are great too, but I like the small Yukon gold potatoes better.
- You can use kielbasa or Andouille sausage. It can get a little spicy, so I suggest using andouille sausage if you like things a little hot.
- The types of seafood called for in the recipe are just suggestions. You can use other kinds, like scallops, mussels, or even swordfish chunks.
- Before you serve your boil, get rid of any clams that haven’t opened up.
- I suggest serving your boil right away because seafood goes bad quickly and tastes best when it’s just cooked.
- You can use shell-on or peeled shrimp. I personally prefer peeled shrimp because they’re easier to eat.
The Best Seafood Crab Boil Recipe| Blessed Ro Cooks Collaboration | Cajun Crab Boil
How long do you boil crab meat?
Total crab boil for four. Gather all ingredients. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, sausages, onions, corn, and seafood seasoning. Boil until potatoes are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Gently drop crabs into pot and boil until crabmeat is cooked through, at least 10 minutes. Drain and serve.
How to make a crab boil sauce?
To make a crab boil sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the crab seasoning and chopped onion, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant. Then, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
How long do you boil crabmeat in a crock pot?
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, sausages, onions, corn, and seafood seasoning. Boil until potatoes are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Gently drop crabs into pot and boil until crabmeat is cooked through, at least 10 minutes. Drain and serve. A crab boil is as festive as it is delicious!
What ingredients are in a crab boil recipe?
This crab boil recipe requires crab legs, mussels, potatoes, sweet corn on the cob, sausages, and a mixture of butter and crab boil seasoning.