Seafood Boil With Garlic Butter Sauce
This garlic butter seafood boil is loaded with juicy shrimp, crab legs, sausage, corn, and potatoes, all coated in a rich, flavorful garlic butter sauce that takes it over the top. Every bite is seasoned perfectly and packed with that bold, buttery, slightly spicy flavor you expect from a good seafood boil.
It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s the kind of meal that brings everybody to the table!
While you’re here, be sure to checkout this amazing Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits recipe and this Shrimp Brochette!
We love a great seafood boil down here in the south! Add your favorite seafood to this recipe to make it your own. You should definitely add these Lobster Tails too!
Things to Love About this Seafood Boil
- Big, bold flavor in every bite
- Perfectly cooked seafood (no overcooking)
- Rich garlic butter sauce that actually coats everything
- Easy to make at home, no outdoor burner needed
Ingredients for the cajun boil with Garlic Butter Sauce:
Collect all of the items you need before you get started. It makes cooking so much easier! Here is what you will need for this seafood Cajun boil recipe:
- Seafood: crab legs, shrimp, and any other seafood you like including lobster, clams, or crawfish.
- Sausage: feel free to omit this ingredient if you are not a fan. Beef sausage was used for this recipe. Some of my audience have used chicken sausage, andouille sausage, and even meatless sausage as a substitute.
- Potatoes: red potatoes are best because they hold-up and do not get so mushy. Regular (russet) potatoes can be used if that’s what you have. Just cut the boil/cooking time a bit because they will get mushy.
- Corn on the cob: frozen works just fine. Fresh sweet corn on the cob can be used as well. Although you do not have to, you can cut it in half for more servings. Try this Cajun Fried Corn on the Cob for a super flavor side.
- Optional additions: boiled eggs- don’t knock-it until you try it! Some people have sent me pictures of broccoli, and other veggies that they have added. I love it, get creative and make what you like!
How To Make a Seafood Boil
Make your broth
To make a seafood boil you want to add cold water to a large stockpot over medium high heat. You can also add about 1 cup of a flavorful broth to the pot for .
Season the water with crab boil seasoning, old bay seasoning, or your favorite cajun seasoning.
Add your ingredients
Once you get boiling water, add your baby red potatoes and sweet corn first.
Then you let them cook for about 20 minutes and add in your smoked sausage. After about 15 minutes the sausage should be tender.
Now you can add in your favorite seafood. Place your snow crab legs and shrimp directly into the large stockpot and boil for about 10 minutes.
Seafood to add to your Cajun Seafood Boil recipe
Some of the most popular seafood used in a Louisiana garlic butter seafood boil recipe are crab legs, crawfish (or crawdads). Almost any kind of shellfish will work though. You can even add some lobster tails to make it super fancy!
Crab legs are just as amazing as crawfish, (and in my opinion, better)! You can definitely add some dungeness crab legs, some king crab legs, or some jumbo shrimp too!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Sauce:
This garlic butter sauce is the star of this entire recipe! You will fall in love the second you taste it.
Here are the main ingredients you will need:
- Garlic powder: make sure you use the garlic powder and not garlic salt.
- Old bay seasoning: old bay has a distinct flavor that pairs beautifully with a crab boil
- Cajun seasoning: this is the main area that the salt content will come into play. So adjust it to get the best flavor for your taste buds.
- Spices: you should add some red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to add spice to your butter sauce. Hot sauce adds another great kick to get the best flavors!
- Lemon wedges: adding fresh lemon juice gives it a nice acidity to balance the sauce.
All of these seasonings and spices are blended perfectly into the recipe for cajun crab boil butter sauce. You should also save some seafood boil sauce to dip your seafood into!
Plain melted butter is definitely a classic too. You can simply add some butter to a microwave safe bowl, and serve it with your seafood boil as a dipping sauce.
Pro-tips for the perfect seafood boil:
To achieve the delicious flavor of this boil, here are some great tips for you to follow:
- The potatoes take longer to cook, so start cooking them first. Red potatoes are best because they do not get too mushy.
- Shrimp will cook SUPER fast! Use the biggest shrimp you can find; such as colossal shrimp or jumbo shrimp. You can use shell-on shrimp or you can buy it deshelled and cleaned.
- This seafood boil recipe calls for crab legs and shrimp, but you can add or take away any shellfish you would like.
- Some of the best recipes for a seafood boil include boiled eggs! You should definitely give it a try.
- Adjust your cook time based on the kind of seafood you’re cooking. Snow crab and shrimp cook the fastest!
Video of the Best Seafood Boil Recipe:
FAQ
What is the best seasoning for seafood boil?
Cajun seasoning or Old Bay are the go-to options for bold, classic flavor.
How do I keep seafood from overcooking?
Cook in stages and always add shrimp last, it cooks in just a few minutes.
How do you serve seafood boil?
Pour it in a tray and serve it family style for the ultimate feast!
What to serve with a low country boil:
Although this is a complete meal in and of itself, you can add some side dishes to round out your seafood. Here are a few ideas:
- Garlic bread
- A side salad
- Some roasted vegetables
- Coleslaw
A lot of people like to use their bread to sop up that delicious juicy crab sauce. Adding a side of vegetables will also help balance out the meal!
Now that my mouth is watering…. enjoy this delicious seafood boil recipe!
Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 clusters Snow crab legs, washed thoroughly
- 1 pound Shrimp, deveined, tail on
- 1 pound Andouille sausage, cut into thick slices
- 6 Corn on the cob
- 6 Baby red potatoes
- 1 Lemon, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons Old bay Seasoning
- 2 Bay leaves
Seafood Boil Sauce (to pour over and dip)
- 4 sticks Butter, unsalted
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 whole Onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons Garlic, diced
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- 2 cups Chicken broth, optional (see notes below)
- 3 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 3 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon pepper seasoning, (optional depending on fresh lemon juice)
- 1-2 dashes Tabasco sauce
Instructions
SEAFOOD BOIL
- Fill up a large stock pot with water, leaving enough room at the top to add the seafood. Add old bay seasoning, lemon, and bay leaves. Bring to a light boil.
- Place the corn and red potatoes into the seasoned water. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Add the crab legs and sausage . Cover with a lid and boil for an additional 15 minutes.
- Add the shrimp. Boil for 5 minutes (shrimp will turn pink, do not overcook).
- Drain the water and remove bay leaves. Transfer to serving dish or leave in the stock pot.
- Pour that delicious garlic butter sauce all over, and/or reserve some sauce on the side to dip the seafood in (recipe below).
GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE
- Melt one stick of butter and olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add onions and sauté until they become translucent.
- Add Garlic and saute for 30 seconds, stirring constantly so garlic doesn’t burn. Add juice of the lemon, and all the seasonings. Adjust cayenne and red pepper to your level of spiciness.
- Add remaining 3 sticks of butter. Simmer until butter is melted, stir constantly.
- If using chicken broth, gently stir it into the mixture now. Pour over your favorite seafood and/or reserve some for dipping.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Equipment
After you try this Garlic Butter Seafood Boil recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
Question:
Which of the seasoning do you add to the water when you boil everything? The one that just says seasoning or SEASONING (ADJ. LEVEL OF SPICINESS TO YOUR LIKING)
Thanks
Hello. I have updated the ingredient card to make it more clear. Thanks for checking out the recipe. Enjoy!
CHIEF DE CUISINE
So am I only adding the bay leaf lemon and old bay to the boiling water and draining that? Then the seafood boil recipe am I following that plus the adj seasoning ingredient list to pour over and for dipping?
Yes, add the bay leaf, lemon, and old bay to the actual seafood boil (boiling water) to cook the seafood. You can drench the seafood in the sauce you make, and/or use it for dipping! We do both. Use chicken broth or water to “cut” the sauce if you do not want it to be straight butter!
Made this for my hubby’s bday and he was in heaven. The butter sauce was a hit! Thank you so much! 🙂
That’s awesome Erika! So happy you guys enjoyed it! Also- happy belated bday to your hubby!
Were the snow crab frozen or fresh?
When I made this batch, they were fresh from the seafood department. I have made them from frozen as well, both just as delicious!
How long did you need to boil the frozen crab legs?
15 minutes. The complete instructions are in the recipe card above. Thanks for stopping by!
For this recipe, how many servings will it yield? I’m planning on making enough for about 20 people.
Hi there. This recipe fed 8 people. If you are making it for 20 people, I suggest doubling it. That should be enough for everyone. Enjoy!
This sounds soooo amazing!! I am going to try it tonight, but I wanna put the seafood in steamer bags to portion it out for people.
I wonder if I could transfer to steamer bag, then put your garlic butter sauce inside and just shake it all up to spread the flavor around?
Thanks for posting this!
Yes you can definitely cook it that way. I have done it several times, I actually pour the garlic butter into the bag and cook them in the butter!! Let me know how it turns out!
This looks amazing. How long can I prepare sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator?
Thank you. I have stored it in a jar with a tight fitting lid for up to a week. Re-heated it, and it was just as delicious!
I love crab ?, this sounds delicious ?
I’m going to try next weekend with the family that I you so much
Awesome! You guys will enjoy it.
IT’S THE BEST I’VE EVER HAD, HANDS DOWN!! PERFECT!! Thank you!
Awe! Thank you!
I have to try and it was awesome thanks for the great recipe I used franks hot sauce only thing different
I’m going to cook this for our New Year’s Dinner. I will be cooking for a family of 15.
Oh boy! Everyone is going to love it!
This sounds like the perfect sauce for seafood and I loved your video! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. It is definitely perfect for seafood!
This look so good! I’m making this tomorrow for my son’s 11th Birthday!
Awesome! You guys will enjoy it!
Funny I’m making for my 11 year old today but when and where do you add the potatoes ????
Awww He’s going to love it Karin! Add the potatoes and the corn to the boiling water before you add the seafood. They take longer to cook.
I love garlic! Anything with garlic is sure to be tasty.
You are absolutely correct! Garlic is the best.
I’ve never attempted a boil in my 42 years and let me tell you. I fed 8 people and this was, by far, the best we have ever tasted in our lives. Thank you for an amazing recipe!
I love to hear that Olivia! Glad y’all enjoyed it!
Simply Delicious!!
You make everything sound so tasty, and this seafood boil is no exception. I like that the seasonings are pretty straightforward and there’s lots of garlic. Now I just have to find some good seafood in Denver.
Well thank ya Beth! Garlic is one of those ingredients that make everything better!
My mouth is watering just reading this! Will be trying it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! You will enjoy it.
What an easy and delicious-sounding idea! Def need to try this when the weather gets warmer – I bet it would work with other kinds of shellfish, too!
It is an amazing sauce for virtually anything!
I love anything seafood and this sounds delicious. I hadn’t heard of the crawfish season until now. Sounds like you have loads of fun.
It is a delicious sauce for sure!