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.
Question – I see some recipes recommend cooking the pot and letting seafood soak – suggesting those will allow more flavor to infuse into seafood. Is this recommended?
I don’t do this because I’d be concerned about overcooking the seafood!
As an Aussie can I ask what Old Bay Seasoning consists of?
It’s a seafood seasoning, here’s a homemade version: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/241766/jans-old-bay-seasoning-substitute/
If I wanted to add boiled eggs when would I put the eggs in
Are you looking to boil the eggs along with the seafood? Eggs typically take about 8 minutes to boil.
I am curious if you have used white wine to add to the water for boiling or if you recommend using all wine instead of water.
I’ve never used white wine but I can’t see a downside to using it!
You said put the potatoes in first do I pull the out after they are cooked. Or just keep
Adding the other ingredients?
And are the shrimp raw up start with. ?
Can you do that with the different sea food?
You keep the potatoes in the pot, and the shrimp are raw! You can use any sea food you like.
what heat do I cook everything on?
medium!
Can I cut the lobster in half to make 6 servings?
Since receipe calls for only 3 lobsters
If we were to double the recipe how would it affect the cooking times?
If you’re using a large enough pot where everything can fit with room for the hot water to circulate, then the cooking time would stay the same!
How many people does this recipe serve?
It serves 6 people.
I served this as a birthday dinner and it was better than what you get at a restaurant! Perfect special dinner meal!
Love eating seafood in the summer! This will be a huge hit for our 4th of July cookout!!! Can’t wait to gobble this up!
This was a big hit at our neighborhood party!!
This is my favorite way to eat in the summer!
This is perfect for summer right now!
Great for cooking up seafood dinners! Love this recipe idea.
This seafood boil is perfect for the summer! I love all the flavors!
This seafood boil looks amazing! I love seafood so I’m definitely pinning this for later.
OH my, I simply adore this! Always down for a great seafood recipe and this one looks so so very generous! Love it!
This is a great way to serve different types of seafood. So flavorful and delicious!
This was such a great dinner option for a large group of people! Everyone loved and I really enjoyed making it!