Seafood Boil Crab Shrimp (Printable Version)

A festive Southern seafood dish with crab, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn tossed in Cajun spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 2 lb snow crab legs, cleaned
02 - 1.5 lb large shrimp, shell-on, deveined

→ Meats

03 - 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced into 1-inch pieces

→ Vegetables

04 - 1.5 lb baby potatoes, halved
05 - 4 ears corn, cut into thirds
06 - 1 large onion, quartered
07 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Aromatics & Spices

08 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed
09 - 1/4 cup Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
10 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 2 tsp salt
12 - 1 tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Liquids

14 - 8 cups water
15 - 1 bottle (12 fl oz) light beer (optional)

→ For Serving

16 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Fill a large stockpot with 8 cups water and the beer if using. Add Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, and lemon slices. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add halved baby potatoes to the boiling liquid and cook for 10 minutes.
03 - Add corn pieces and sliced sausage to the pot and boil for an additional 7 minutes.
04 - Add cleaned crab legs to the pot and boil for 5 minutes.
05 - Add shrimp to the pot and boil until they turn pink and are fully cooked, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Drain all seafood and vegetables, discarding the cooking liquid and aromatics. Transfer to a large platter or spread over parchment paper. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Social and fun for group gatherings
  • Rich blend of Cajun flavors with tender seafood and veggies
02 -
  • This dish contains shellfish and dairy, so check for allergies before serving.
  • Best enjoyed immediately; seafood may become tough if reheated.
03 -
  • Toss the finished seafood with extra Cajun seasoning and melted butter for added depth.
  • Serve with crusty bread to absorb flavorful juices.
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