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Home » Dinner » Seafood Boil Recipe

June 22, 2019 By Sara 250 Comments

Seafood Boil Recipe

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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.

Seafood Boil Recipe | Shrimp Boil #lobster #shrimp #clams #crab #sausage #corn #potatoes #dinner #dinneratthezoo Seafood Boil Recipe | Shrimp Boil #lobster #shrimp #clams #crab #sausage #corn #potatoes #dinner #dinneratthezoo

A sheet pan of seafood boil with shrimp, lobster tail, sausage, corn and potatoes.

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.

Raw shrimp, lobster, sausage, corn, clams and potatoes on a sheet pan.

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.

A pot filled with assorted seafood, corn and sausage.

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

A pot of seafood boil with lobster, shrimp, corn and potatoes.

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.

Seafood boil made with shrimp, clams and lobster.

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

  • Shrimp Salad
  • Grilled Salmon
  • Marinated Salmon
  • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Shrimp Ceviche
A sheet pan of seafood boil with shrimp, lobster tail, sausage, corn and potatoes.
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5 from 60 votes

Seafood Boil

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!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword seafood boil, shrimp boil
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 479kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 450mg | Sodium: 1892mg | Potassium: 923mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 48.4mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 7.3mg

Filed Under: Dinner, Featured Recipes, One Pot Meals Tagged With: Corn, Potatoes, Sausage, Seafood

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Comments

  1. Edward says

    January 22, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Should I split or prep the lobster tails so its easier to get the meat out?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      January 23, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      Totally up to you, it definitely won’t hurt to do that!

      Reply
  2. Asani says

    January 20, 2021 at 8:10 am

    First time making it and I must’ve made the best seafood boil on earth. Used Cajun seasoning instead. Lots of S&P for taste. Lots garlic butter in boiling water towards the end. Used Turkey Frankfurt as a substitute to the pork sausage. Heavenly Sent , looking forward to making this again. Will be plagiarism The recipe. #respectfully

    Reply
  3. Jon says

    January 19, 2021 at 3:50 am

    5 stars
    Great guide to cooking a seafood feast!

    Reply
  4. Latrice says

    January 9, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    5 stars
    1st time making it… everyone loved it!! I doubled the recipe and used 1/2 cup old bay and 1/2 cup Tonys Creole seasoning. I was 2 lemons short and only used yukon gold& yukon red potatoes, sausage (andouille & smoked), jumbo shrimp, and 4lbs of crab. I saved all of the broth… and ended up using most of it for the butter/ broth sauce.

    Reply
  5. Amber Morris says

    January 1, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    5 stars
    I made this tonight, it was my first seafood boil ever. I followed the recipe exactly as written and it was PERFECT! I received compliments from the whole family. Definitely a crowd pleaser. I will be keeping this recipe, thank you!

    Reply
  6. O. Williams says

    January 1, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last year and it was very delicious. I was not a fan of seafood because of past attempts to try when someone else cooked it. It did not taste good at all so as a surprise for my son I decided to give it a try. I made so much I said let me just taste it. It was so flavorful and I liked it a lot. I am making it again today and It smells so awesome. I can’t wait to dig in and enjoy.

    Reply
  7. Peggy Fetterhoff says

    December 31, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    How many minutes will it take to cook scallops and mussels? Trying meal tomorrow for New Year’s Day. Looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      January 1, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      Mussels will take the same time as clams, scallops take 1-2 minutes!

      Reply
  8. Inea says

    December 31, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    Just made this and the cook times were perfect. The seasoning is wonderful.
    This is my first ever boil and we will definitely do it again using this recipe.

    Reply
  9. Cece says

    December 31, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    Wow oh wow! I made this recipe yesterday and it was a home run! Everything was cooked to perfection. I followed the recipe exactly as you wrote it, except I added Alaskan king crab and wild scallops to your existing ingredients. It was just as delicious when I warmed up the leftovers the next day. I can’t wait to make this again during summer gatherings! Thanks you for sharing! Wish I could share pictures of how beautiful it turned out! 💕

    Reply
  10. Sherbear says

    December 31, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Fingers crossed. Making this for yacht charter guests. Will let you all know how mine turns out. Your comments are putting me at ease. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Gregory says

    December 30, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    Cooking times were perfect!

    Reply
  12. Elle says

    December 29, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    Has anyone tried boiling with broth? Or should I just stick with water? Thinking vegetable broth might add a little but I don’t want to ruin all the seafood!

    Reply
  13. Kay says

    December 28, 2020 at 9:40 am

    Hi Sara,
    Quick question, is the seafood defrosted?

    Thanks,
    Kay

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 28, 2020 at 6:42 pm

      The recipe assumes defrosted seafood!

      Reply
  14. Kay says

    December 26, 2020 at 8:38 am

    Hi Sara–This looks wonderful and am planning on making for New Year’s Eve dinner. What ounce size are lobster tails (for cooking times) and since corn on cob is not in season right now could I use frozen corn on the cob?

    Thanks in advance and Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 26, 2020 at 11:29 am

      I use 5-6 ounce tails, and frozen corn is fine!

      Reply
  15. Brooke Villegas says

    December 24, 2020 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for Christmas dinner. My adult kids requested this for every holiday! Ha ha Thank you so very much!

    Reply
  16. Tiffany Lambert says

    December 13, 2020 at 12:55 am

    If you double the recipe, do you increase cooking time?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 13, 2020 at 9:56 pm

      As long as the pot isn’t overly crowded it should cook in the same amount of time!

      Reply
    • Jennine says

      December 16, 2020 at 7:16 am

      Do u keep adding time like it says add lobster cook 5 min add class cook 5 min add sausage cook 2to 3 min do u add the lobster and class and crab legs and cook only 5 min or 5 min each cause then the lobster will be in like 10 to 15 min I never made a seafood boil HELP PLEASE

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 16, 2020 at 4:45 pm

        You just keep adding things to the pot you don’t take anything out until the end!

        Reply
  17. Mrs Cheeks says

    November 29, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    Best recipe ever. I used mussels instead of clams. I also used Zatarain’s Creole seasoning instead of old bay and I added chicken bouillon onion powder MSG and mince garlic. I also used hot Georgia sausage so it’s spicy. The cooking times were great nothing is over cooked

    Reply
  18. Dominique says

    November 24, 2020 at 10:46 am

    Are the cooking times the same if your meat is Frozen?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 24, 2020 at 11:39 am

      I’d add 2-3 minutes per item!

      Reply
  19. Greg says

    October 24, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    Great recipe

    Reply
    • Temmy says

      November 17, 2020 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      Thanks , it came out sooo nice

      Reply
    • Dee says

      November 30, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      I made for my grandson’s birthday. Everyone thought it was delicious!!! Served with just homemade bread and lots of garlic butter! Could not have been better!!

      Reply
  20. Robert says

    October 11, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    How much water do I need to increase the recipe to serve 12?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      October 12, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      I’d use 1 1/2 times the water!

      Reply
    • Paula Scarborough says

      October 15, 2020 at 9:23 am

      How was your boil? I’m gonna try it this evening for my birthday dinner!

      Reply
    • MommasInkyy says

      December 7, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      If you enter the amount in the info above it tells you the amounts needed for each ingredient

      Reply
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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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