This classic seafood boil is a bold, flavorful feast packed with shrimp, crab legs, sausage, corn, and potatoes simmered in a seasoned broth.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 4 quarts water
- 1 cup seafood boil seasoning (such as Old Bay or Zatarain’s)
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 pounds baby red potatoes
- 4 ears corn on the cob, cut into thirds
- 1 ½ pounds smoked sausage, sliced into chunks
- 2 pounds snow crab legs
- 2 pounds large shrimp, shell-on and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Direction
- Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Stir in seafood boil seasoning, lemon halves, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Add potatoes and cook for 12–15 minutes, until just starting to become tender.
- Add corn and sausage; cook for an additional 8–10 minutes.
- Add crab legs and cook for 4–5 minutes.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Turn off heat, stir in butter, and let the boil sit for 2–3 minutes to absorb flavor.
- Drain and transfer seafood boil to a large platter or table lined with parchment paper. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Optional Tips / Variations
- Add mussels or clams during the last 5 minutes of cooking
- Increase heat with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
- Serve with melted garlic butter, cocktail sauce, or lemon wedges
- Substitute crawfish when in season
- For extra flavor, let everything soak in the broth for 10 minutes before draining
