Description
This Cajun Seafood Boil is a flavorful and festive one-pot meal that combines an array of fresh seafood, smoked sausage, and vegetables boiled in a spicy and aromatic broth. Served with a rich, homemade garlic butter sauce seasoned with Cajun spices, this dish brings a taste of Southern coastal cooking right to your table. Perfect for gatherings, it offers the perfect balance of seasoned seafood, potatoes, corn, and smoky sausage with an irresistible spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Boil Base and Seasonings
- 2 12 oz Beer (use your favorite beer)
- 8 qts Water (pot should be about 2/3 the way full, add more water if needed)
- 5 Bay leaves
- 1 cup Old Bay Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp Cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Dried thyme
- 2 Lemons (sliced)
- 10 Garlic cloves (peeled and smashed)
- 2 Large onions (peeled and sliced)
- 2 tbsp Salt
Main Ingredients
- 3 lbs Red potatoes (halved)
- 6 ears Corn (peeled and cut into thirds)
- 1 lb Andouille sausage
- 2 lbs Snow crab clusters/legs
- 1 lb Lobster tails
- 1 lb Mussels (optional)
- 1 lb Clams (optional)
- 2 lbs Jumbo shrimp
Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce
- 2 cups Butter (4 sticks)
- 8 Garlic cloves (finely diced)
- 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp Brown sugar
- Salt (to taste, approximately 1 tsp)
- 2 cups Reserved broth (from the boil)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup Hot sauce (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Boil Base: In a large stockpot, combine beer and water and bring to a rolling boil. Add bay leaves, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried thyme, salt, sliced lemons, smashed garlic cloves, and sliced onions. Stir well and allow to boil for 5 minutes to develop a flavorful broth.
- Cook Potatoes and Corn: Add halved red potatoes and corn pieces to the boiling broth. Cook until potatoes are tender but firm, about 15 minutes. Maintain a steady boil throughout.
- Add Sausage: Introduce the Andouille sausage to the pot and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes to absorb the spices and heat through.
- Cook Seafood in Stages: Add snow crab clusters/legs and cook for 3 minutes. Then add lobster tails, mussels, and clams, cover with a lid, and boil for 5 minutes until mussels and clams open. Finally, add jumbo shrimp and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and opaque.
- Drain and Arrange: Using a strainer or spider skimmer, remove the seafood, potatoes, corn, and sausage from the broth. Place onto newspaper or a large serving tray for an informal presentation.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add diced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), onion powder, brown sugar, and salt. Pour in 1 cup of reserved seafood broth and simmer on low for 3-5 minutes until thickened. For a thinner sauce, use 2 cups of broth. Remove from heat and stir in freshly chopped parsley.
- Toss and Serve: Pour approximately three-quarters of the garlic butter sauce over the seafood boil and toss well to coat evenly. Reserve the remaining sauce for dipping. Serve immediately alongside hot sauce for an added spicy kick.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes according to your preferred heat level.
- Make sure to keep the broth at a rolling boil when cooking various ingredients to ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh seafood when possible for the best flavor and texture.
- If you don’t have an andouille sausage, a smoked sausage or kielbasa makes a good substitute.
- The optional mussels and clams can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
- Reserve some broth before draining to make the garlic butter sauce with extra flavor.
- For easier cleanup, line your serving tray with newspaper or foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Southern United States
Keywords: Cajun seafood boil, seafood boil recipe, Cajun crab boil, shrimp boil, spicy seafood boil, seafood boil with sausage and corn, Southern seafood recipe
