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.
Should I split or prep the lobster tails so its easier to get the meat out?
Totally up to you, it definitely won’t hurt to do that!
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
Great guide to cooking a seafood feast!
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.
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!
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.
How many minutes will it take to cook scallops and mussels? Trying meal tomorrow for New Year’s Day. Looks amazing!
Mussels will take the same time as clams, scallops take 1-2 minutes!
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.
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! 💕
How long did you boil crab legs and s scallops for?
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!
Cooking times were perfect!
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!
Hi Sara,
Quick question, is the seafood defrosted?
Thanks,
Kay
The recipe assumes defrosted seafood!
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!
I use 5-6 ounce tails, and frozen corn is fine!
Made this for Christmas dinner. My adult kids requested this for every holiday! Ha ha Thank you so very much!
If you double the recipe, do you increase cooking time?
As long as the pot isn’t overly crowded it should cook in the same amount of time!
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
You just keep adding things to the pot you don’t take anything out until the end!
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
Are the cooking times the same if your meat is Frozen?
I’d add 2-3 minutes per item!
Great recipe
Thanks , it came out sooo nice
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!!
How much water do I need to increase the recipe to serve 12?
I’d use 1 1/2 times the water!
How was your boil? I’m gonna try it this evening for my birthday dinner!
If you enter the amount in the info above it tells you the amounts needed for each ingredient