Seafood Boil Crab Shrimp (Printable version)

A festive Southern boil featuring crab legs, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn with bold Cajun spices.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

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

→ Meats

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

→ Vegetables

04 - 1.5 pounds 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 teaspoons smoked paprika
11 - 2 teaspoons salt
12 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Liquids

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

→ For Serving

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

# How-To Steps:

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, smashed garlic, quartered onion, and lemon slices. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add halved baby potatoes to the boiling broth and cook for 10 minutes.
03 - Incorporate corn pieces and sliced sausage into the pot. Boil for an additional 7 minutes.
04 - Place crab legs into the boiling mixture and cook for 5 minutes.
05 - Add shrimp and boil just until pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Drain the seafood and vegetables, discarding the cooking liquid and aromatics. Transfer everything to a large platter or spread over parchment paper. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve with additional lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Packed with bold Cajun flavor for a lively dining experience
  • Perfect for sharing with friends and family for any festive occasion
02 -
  • Remove shrimp shells only after cooking to keep them juicy and flavorful
  • Substitute andouille with kielbasa or other smoked sausage if preferred
03 -
  • Toss hot seafood and vegetables with extra Cajun seasoning and melted butter for a punch of flavor
  • Serve with crusty bread to soak up the juices and enjoy with chilled beer or white wine
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