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!
Made this for my boyfriend and his parents, I’ve had seafood boil before at family’s houses and restaurants but this … oh my goshhh, it was so delicious. His mother had crab legs before but just plain and no sauce and she absolutely loved this recipe, so did my boyfriend !! I had to tweak the recipe a bit because I added 3 lbs of shrimp & 2 pounds of crab legs but it still came out fantastic. Boyfriend told me to save the recipe because this is what he wants for his birthday dinner haha.
Ayyyye! So happy to hear that you guys loved it! It’s definitely a recipe that’s on repeat over here too! 🙂
What temperature do you use for the steamer bags?
My oven was set at 350 degrees, this may vary depending on your settings.
Could you please tell us how you would do the boil in an oven bag? Thanks!
Hello Susan. The post above gives some insight on how to use the oven bags to cook the boil. Thanks for stopping by!
It would be nice to know how many quarts of water to put in the pot. You say to fill the pot, leaving enough room to add the seafood. People use different sizes of pots
Hi Tracy. It is not possible to give exact measurements for the water. As you mentioned, people use different sized pots, as well as different amounts of seafood/vegetables. Use your better judgment, and eyeball the water to where it just covers the seafood without overflowing. Hope that helps.
Hands down the best seafood garlic butter sauce I’ve made and tried! I wish I had a picture of it but it looked so good that I instantly had to dig in! Will definitely be using again when I’m in the mood for snow crab legs which is usually once a month! A must try for all my seafood lovers out there!
I love logging in to messages like this!! Thank you girl, it is truly delicious, and addicting!! You sound like me, once a month at least! Thanks for trying, and be sure to snap that pic next time so I can feature you!
this was amazing. I doubled the rec
I made this for my husband today for Father’s Day and he loved the sauce. In my opinion this is better that using the salty crab and seafood boil you find in the store.
Great recipe ????.
Thanks
That makes me very happy! I’m glad you guys enjoyed it!
Hi. Thank you for sharing this recipe – it looks delicious and I want give it a try. However, I dont eat anything from the pig. Do you know if another type of sausage or type of meat may work? For eg turkey or beef sausage? Thanks.
Absolutely. I used beef sausage in this recipe. You can omit it all together, or substitute for sausage of your choice!
So you’d say this recipe is for 4 people? Trying to plan a dinner party not sure if I should get more food.
Hi Amber, this recipe yields enough for 8 people (depending on appetites of course)! I would recommend doubling it if you’re going to be entertaining quite a few people.
HI! I need clarification on something. The recipe mentions 3 types of sauces. The first one is added to the boiling pot and I’m assuming the third recipe is the dipping sauce. What about the 2nd one, the middle one? When is that added? Thanks in advance!
Hi Carla- the first part is to simply boil the seafood. The last part are the actual sauce to pour over and/or use for dipping. It is separated by wet and dry ingredients, but it’s all for the sauce.
Hi, this looks yummy!! If using frozen crab, do you thaw first? Also, can you use the frozen half corns or is it best to use greasy whole corn on the cob? If using whole corn on the cob do you cut in or to cook whole leave whole?
Can’t wait to try it this weekend!!
Those are all great questions, I’ll be sure to update the post w/ answers, but for now: yes, I use frozen crab legs, and I cook them from frozen. So straight into the boiling water. Either fresh corn, or frozen corn on the cob will work for this recipe. It is definitely a preference thing in regards to cutting them in half, or cooking fresh/ frozen. I know you’ll love it nonetheless! If you have IG, tag me with your pics of how it turns out @razzle.dazzle.life ! 🙂
Like!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
If you love a seafood boil, this recipe is it! This was delicious! My family raves about this all evening. Just look at the spices for the heat in the dish and definitely adjust if you do not like it very spicy, but that was explained in the directions so it should not be a problem. Thank you for this recipe which will now be a part of our family gatherings going forward.
So when do you use the Seafood boil sauce..
If you make enough, pour it over the cooked seafood AND reserve for dipping. Or you can simply make the sauce just to dip the seafood in on the side. Enjoy!
5 stars. Grea recipe
Are you adding parsley at the end? Do you mix it in the sauce or just sprinkle it over?
Hi Shaleena, the recipe does not call for parsley, it was used for aesthetics only. 🙂
Awesome recipe very clear and precise instructions, mine came out great kids (avid seafood lovers) loved it.
I’ve never tried a seafood boil before but this looks so good I want to try it. For my first time trying this do I need all the extra seasoning or should I just stick with the written? Thanks for any help!
Hi Brenda! The ingredients listed in the recipe card will yield a DELICIOUS seafood boil sauce! Feel free to add to, or take away any seasonings you like or dislike. Thanks for stopping by, and let me know how it turns out!
Can you heat up left overs and what’s the best way if you can?
Yes Chrissy you definitely can reheat the leftovers. As far as the seafood- I always de-shell it before storing it in the refrigerator. Then I use the seafood in another recipe (like my crab mac n’ cheese recipe for instance), or just reheat in the toaster oven/microwave. For the sauce, store it in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave.
I want to make this and add lobster. Any suggestions?
I usually broil or bake my lobster in the oven, then just pour the sauce over it when it’s cooked. Or reserve the sauce for dipping.