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

5 from 291 votes

Seafood Boil

AuthorSara Welch
A sheet pan of seafood boil with shrimp, lobster tail, sausage, corn and potatoes.
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!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Serves 6

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

Hello! I’m Sara!

Learn more about Sara

Related Posts

Free Bonus

5 Secrets to Meal Planning + Free Toolkit!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for a party of 4. Was so good! I added colossal shrimp, mussels, crab legs, small three colored potatoes, corn, scallops and sausage. I left the cooked onion, garlic and lemon in with everything else.
    Everyone loved it and went back for seconds. Cant wait to make it again.

  2. 5 stars
    I’d been meaning to do a seafood boil this summer, but only just got around to it this past weekend. This recipe was HEAVENLY. Ordered a big box of frozen crab and crayfish and went to town. Even better, the kids LOVED it. Not exactly an easy meal, but one that will be repeated many, may times in my house.

  3. I’m making this with snow crab legs, shrimp and crawfish – all frozen. When do I need to add each one? I’m assuming not all at once!

  4. 5 stars
    OMG!!! Just made this for our anniversary supper. It was fabulous!!!! Now the leftovers are going into a seafood chowder. I can’t wait to make it again. The only different things that I did was to use whole lobsters and mussels instead of clams. It was so yummy. I would highly recommend it. Thankyou
    .

  5. I’m just curious about how long you cook pre cooked and frozen lobster. I see that the question has been asked but not answered yet. Thankyou

  6. 5 stars
    First time making for a party of 8 (but only 4 of us ate seafood and there were leftovers). It was a perfect addition to our surf and turf theme.

    I love spicy food and the seafood was not spicy. But the corn had a kick to it. I liked it! Unfortunately, I forgot to buy sausage and the store ran out of clams. 🙁 I can’t wait to make again with both the sausage and clams!

  7. 5 stars
    Made this dish for the fam for my moms 75th and it was amazing!!! Since I had never made it before the recipe and timings were perfect!!! Thanks!!

  8. 5 stars
    First time cooking this and it turned out awesome.
    My husband and i had fun making it! And also our pot was a tad smaller i have to take out some of my corn. But still! It turned out so tasty!!

  9. 5 stars
    Great starter recipe, I added flavor in layers as the dish cooked. This is how 4 people who love crab legs spent a quite labor day Sunday.
    Thx
    Denise

      1. Hi! My store only has 3-4oz tails and 8-10oz tails. Which should I buy? And how many of each considering the sizes? Thanks!

  10. I am essentially doubling the recipe – should I have enough liquid in the pot to cover everything? Any suggestions there?

    Thanks!!

  11. is this spicy? Unfortunately my mom does not like spicy food, and im just curious if the old bay makes the seafood actually spicy!

      1. thanks! Also, can i use precooked whole lobster and just re-boil as you did with the crab?

  12. 5 stars
    Thank you. This was a delicious meal and the 6 servings fit my family of 5, 2 teenage boys, perfectly.