Description
A vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings, featuring succulent seafood, spicy sausage, and tender vegetables, all drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce. This communal feast brings people together around the table.
Ingredients
For the Seafood Boil: 3 quarts water
1 (12 oz) can of beer (optional)
3 tbsp Creole Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
Hot sauce, to taste
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 large lemon, cut into wedges (plus more for serving)
12 oz andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
1 lb baby potatoes (red or gold)
1 lb pre-cooked snow crab leg clusters (fresh or frozen)
1–1 ½ lbs jumbo shrimp (deveined, shell-on or peeled)
4–6 ears of mini corn on the cob
4–6 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
10 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp Creole Cajun seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
Hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, combine the water and beer (if using). Bring to a boil. Add Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, and hot sauce. Toss in the onion slices and lemon wedges. Stir well and boil for 15 minutes.
- Add the sausage and baby potatoes to the pot. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Gently add the snow crab clusters, shrimp, and corn to the pot. Ensure everything is submerged and boil for another 5-7 minutes until the shrimp turn pink.
- In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the garlic. Stir in the lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and hot sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until combined.
- Remove the seafood boil ingredients with a spider strainer and spread them on a large, foil-lined baking sheet (or newspaper for traditional serving). Add the hard-boiled eggs if using.
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the boil and toss everything to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute beer with chicken broth or stock.
- Seafood boils are traditionally served on a newspaper-covered table for a fun, communal experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Mashing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg