Description
This Southern Seafood Boil is a traditional and flavorful feast featuring shrimp, snow crab legs, smoked sausage, baby potatoes, and corn, all seasoned generously with Cajun and Old Bay spices. Tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley, it makes an ideal dish for family gatherings, holidays, and backyard cookouts.
Ingredients
Seafood and Meat
- 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 lbs snow crab legs
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables and Produce
- 1½ lbs baby potatoes
- 4 ears corn, cut into halves
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Seasonings and Sauces
- ¼ cup Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the boiling liquid: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the lemon slices, garlic cloves, Cajun seasoning, and Old Bay seasoning to infuse the water with bold flavors.
- Cook the potatoes: Add the baby potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 15 minutes, allowing them to soften but still hold their shape.
- Add sausage and corn: Incorporate the sliced smoked sausage and halved corn ears into the pot. Continue cooking for 5 minutes to heat through and absorb flavors.
- Cook the crab legs: Add the snow crab legs to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated thoroughly.
- Cook the shrimp: Finally, add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Drain and serve: Drain all the ingredients well and transfer them onto a large serving platter for a communal feast.
- Melt butter and drizzle: Melt the unsalted butter and drizzle it evenly over the seafood boil to add richness and a buttery garlic flavor.
- Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh finish and serve immediately, optionally with additional garlic butter and lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Serve with extra garlic butter and lemon wedges for additional richness and tang.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- For more variety, consider adding crawfish, lobster tails, or clams to the boil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Southern, Cajun
