This seafood boil contains fresh shrimp, lobster, clams, crab, potatoes, corn and sausage, all boiled in a flavorful broth. An impressive meal in one pot that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!
Fresh seafood never fails to delight, and when I’m really looking for a show stopping recipe I make bacon wrapped scallops, garlic butter shrimp or this fantastic seafood boil.
When I’m looking to enjoy some fresh shellfish, I often end up making a mixed seafood boil. It’s a great option because everything gets tossed into one pot, it’s fun to eat, and of course, it’s loaded with tons of flavor! It’s also a great way to make more expensive ingredients like lobster and crab stretch further, since they’re combined with less expensive items like corn and potatoes.
HOW DO YOU MAKE A SEAFOOD BOIL?
This recipe contains shrimp, lobster, crab, clams, potatoes, corn and sausage. All of the ingredients are boiled in a seasoned broth, then tossed in a little butter. Add a sprinkling of parsley and some lemon wedges, and dinner is served.
TIPS FOR SEAFOOD BOIL
- I recommend buying the biggest shrimp you can find for this recipe. I use 16-20 count jumbo shrimp.
- I used Maine lobster tails and Dungeness crab legs, but you can use other varieties including spiny lobster tail, snow crab or king crab.
- Fresh corn on the cob tastes best in this recipe – you can use white, yellow or bi-color corn.
- I use small Yukon gold potatoes, but red potatoes are also a great choice.
- You can use kielbasa or Andouille sausage. Andouille sausage can be a bit spicy, so I’d recommend using that variety if you prefer a little heat.
- The types of seafood listed in the recipe are just a suggestion – you can use other types such as mussels, scallops or even chunks of firm fish such as swordfish.
- Make sure you discard any clams that haven’t opened up before you serve your boil.
- I recommend serving your boil immediately, as seafood is highly perishable and tastes best when freshly cooked.
- You can use shell-on or peeled shrimp. I personally prefer peeled shrimp because they’re easier to eat.
HOW LONG TO BOIL SEAFOOD
The seafood ingredients in this recipe cook at different rates, so you’ll want to put the longest cooking items in the boil first, then add the others later on.
- Lobster: 8-12 minutes
- Clams: 5-10 minutes
- Crab: 6-8 minutes for pre-cooked crab, 20 minutes for raw crab
- Shrimp: 2-3 minutes
WHAT TO SERVE WITH SEAFOOD BOIL
A seafood boil can be served as-is, but some people prefer to add more side dishes to round out the meal. Some great options include a green salad, french or sourdough bread, coleslaw, or potato salad. I typically keep things simple with a loaf of garlic bread and sometimes a green veggie such as zucchini, asparagus or green beans.
You just can’t go wrong with a mixed boil, especially when you’re entertaining. The tender seafood pairs so well with the creamy potatoes, smoky sausage and sweet corn. Everyone will be coming back for more!
OTHER GREAT SEAFOOD RECIPES
Seafood Boil
Ingredients
- 3 lemons divided use
- 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning plus more for garnish
- 8 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 onion peeled and cut into 6 pieces
- 1 pound small Yukon gold potatoes halved
- 4 ears corn on the cob cut into 3-4 inch pieces
- 3 lobster tails
- 1 pound clams scrubbed
- 1 pound crab legs pre-cooked
- 1 pound smoked sausage cut into 1 inch pieces, kielbasa or andouille are preferred
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined (leave tails on)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cut 2 of the lemons into quarters. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges and reserve the wedges for garnish.
- Fill a large pot with 14-16 cups of water. Place the 2 quartered lemons in the water along with the Old Bay seasoning, garlic and onion. Bring to a boil.
- Add the potatoes to the pot and cook for 8 minutes.
- Add the lobster tails and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the clams, crab, and corn, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and sausage and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the seafood mixture from the pot, reserving 1 cup of the broth.
- Melt the butter in a small bowl and whisk it into the reserved broth. Pour the broth over the seafood mixture.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Sprinkle with additional Old Bay seasoning to taste, then serve immediately.
If you have smaller lobster tails DO NOT put them in first! I made this using 4 oz tails and the meat was really overcooked and rubbery. Even the smaller snow crabs were a little over-done. They probably only needed 5 minutes total in the boil. Overall the recipe was simple and really good, just make adjustments for the size of your seafoods
With this total cook time aren’t you gonna be left with uncooked potatoes?
The recipe calls for small potatoes cut in half, so the potato pieces should be about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in size and will definitely cook in a 20 minute boil.
Can you steam the ingredients instead of boiling? if so, what adjustment doyou make for cooking times?
I don’t think it would work well to steam the ingredients, as you won’t get any of the seasonings!
Hi, can I use live lobsters for this? Thanks!
That should be fine, you can refer to my live lobster cooking guide for how long to cook, depending on the size of your lobsters:https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/how-to-cook-a-lobster/
How big of a pot do you recommend?
8 quarts or larger!
Amazing recipe! Wouldn’t change a thing but I did add some extra seafood like 2 lbs of clams & crabs legs. I thought the sausage wasn’t going to be cooked all the way with the limited cooking time but I was wrong as they came out perfectly. Can’t wait to make this again.
my guide to Crab Boil!
Hi
If I’m tripling the ingredients would I need to triple the water?
Would this all fit in a 30 litre stock pot?
You don’t need to triple the water, just add enough so the seafood is mostly submerged.
I made this and it was delicious thank you for the recipe
I have made this before and it is probably the best thing that I have ever put in my mouth. I’m going to be making this again soon, and was wondering, If I’m doubling the recipe, do I double the time?
I am doubling the recipe except I don’t have 1c. Of old bay ! Could I use Cajun seasoning also(slap your mama) ?
Yes that’s fine!
I JUST TRY THIS 12/31/24 IT CANE OUT JUST RIGHT
Do you remove the seafood after the time or leave it in the boiling water while you add the other seafood?
You leave it in the water while you add more!
Delicious, all family loved it, definitively a keeper! Thank you!
This will be our 4th New Year’s Eve making this with our 2 kids. We all love it and everyone chips in to help add items at the right time. Delicious and so fun. Thanks for the memories!!