Description
A Shrimp Crab Boil is the ultimate communal seafood feast—packed with jumbo shrimp, succulent crab legs, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and smoky sausage, all simmered in a spiced broth of Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, onions, and lemons. Finished with a luscious garlic butter drizzle, this easy 30-minute dish is perfect for family dinners, summer cookouts, or weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1½–2 lbs pre-cooked crab leg clusters (snow or king crab)
1 lb baby red potatoes
4 ears corn on the cob, halved
12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 lemon, quartered
5–6 garlic cloves, minced
3 quarts water
12 oz beer (optional, for added depth)
2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1–2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
2 bay leaves
Salt, to taste
For garlic butter sauce:
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
Build the Boil Base:
In a large stockpot, combine water and beer (if using) and bring to a boil. Add Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, bay leaves, onions, and lemon wedges. Simmer for 5 minutes to build flavor.Add Potatoes & Sausage:
Drop in baby potatoes and sliced sausage. Boil for 10–12 minutes, or until potatoes are nearly tender.Add Corn:
Add halved corn cobs and cook for 5 minutes more.Add Seafood:
Add crab legs first to heat through (about 3–4 minutes), then shrimp. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes, or until pink and opaque. Remove everything from the pot using a spider strainer.Make Garlic Butter Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add lemon juice and stir.Serve:
Spread the seafood boil on a parchment- or newspaper-lined table or platter. Drizzle garlic butter sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Add clams or mussels for variety—just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Serve with crusty bread or hush puppies for dipping into the flavorful broth.
If beer is omitted, replace with more water or seafood stock.
For extra spice, add hot sauce or cayenne to the boil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: Southern / Cajun-Inspired
Keywords: Seafood boil, shrimp and crab, Cajun seafood, crab leg boil, one-pot seafood, garlic butter sauce, easy seafood recipe, family-style dinner