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.
I’m making this for my dad on Father’s Day! My question is, How big of a pot will I need? I’m doing 4 whole lobsters, 40 count clams, 1 pound Jumbo shrimp, and about 3 pounds snow crab legs, 3-4 corn on the cob quartered, and the potatoes halves. We have a 30 qt Turkey fryer that is about 12 & 1/2 inches deep and 13 inches wide. Is that big enough?
Yes that size pot should be fine!
Any tip for cooking this for 15 people? Thanks in advance.
You can enter the number of servings you need in the recipe and the ingredient amounts will automatically recalculate!
I’m wanting to try this recipe, but with shrimp only, instead of with crab and lobster! Will it still turn out good?
Here is my shrimp boil recipe: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/shrimp-boil-recipe/
Making this now as we speak but I added the corn potatoes and sausage first once that’s done I’m going to add the snow crab legs then shrimp. But the mix so far smells delightful
I am making this for a dinner and cards party night this Saturday. Can’t wait to try this.
I just made this and delicious! Thank you!
Making this tomorrow for my husbands birthday! But need to double the recipe. When I double the ingredients do I also need to double the cooking times specified for each ingredient?? Looks so good and can’t wait to try it!!
You do not double the cooking time!
I make a lot more crab legs than the recipe calls for .My question is do I add a half cup of okay for every 16 cups of water? If not how much okay do I add for double the amount of water?This recipe sounds very good and I would like to make it this weekend for Memorial Holidsy .I will probably be using 6 pounds of crab any suggestions on how much water and okay? I have a really big pot .Thank You
If you’re using more water than the recipe calls for then I would add more seasoning! You just need enough water to cover the seafood.
I made this a few days ago. It was so good that 2 of us ate it all!! I definitely will make again! We added some calamari at the very end. Turned out great.
Do not discard the broth! Freeze it right away for your next boil. It is also a great base for seafood based soups. I also like to add a 4” piece of seaweed such as kombu for the first half of the boil. It adds a nice and briny umami flavor.
Added one lager, one IPA and 6 oz of dry white wine to the broth. Upped the Old Bay by 50%. Added bayleaf and parsley as well.
Thank you for the recipe. I’m planning on serving the boil during the Memorial Day weekend, my birthday weekend!!! I can’t wait!!!
Planning on making this for Father’s Day. Can this be doubled and how do you recommend serving this? Spread out on a sheet pan or straight from the pot? Thank you in advance 🙂 can’t wait to try this!
I typically serve it in a large bowl or pan!
I have made this a few times now and every time it is outstanding!! I love the simplicity of it and yet how flavorful it is. We have cooked with a few different variations and always comes out perfect.
Excellent recipe!!!! Thank you so much for the cook times for each ingredient. The Mothers Day boil I did for my mom turned out perfectly, everything was a smash hit!!!!
Do you take the lobster out of the shell before you serve it? Making for Mother’s Day!!
Yes it’s fine to remove it from the shell!
I love this recipe, but we seem to be suffering from a shortage of crab legs. So I’d like to know how long does it take to boil scallops? Thankyou for a delicious meal. I’m on my 3rd time making it!
When you say add lobster and cook for 5 minutes am I taking the lobster out after 5 minutes or just continue adding the other ingredients?
Continue adding the other ingredients!
This was one of the best recipes/meals I have have ever had. Everything was perfectly cooked.
So my hubby is allergic to lobster- any suggestions for substitutions?
You can omit it or just use a different item such as mussels or scallops.
How long do scallops need to cook?
About 2 minutes!