Description

Get ready to make the ultimate crab boil recipe—a perfect blend of fresh crabs, shrimp, corn, potatoes, and flavorful seasoning. This seafood boil recipe is ideal for gatherings and provides a rich, flavorful experience that brings friends and family together. Learn the step-by-step process and expert tips to make this classic seafood feast perfectly every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4–5 lbs Fresh Crabs (blue crabs or Dungeness)
2 lbs Large Shrimp (shell-on, deveined)
1 lb Smoked Sausage (sliced into 2-inch pieces)
6 Ears of Corn (cut into thirds)
2 lbs Red Potatoes (small, or halved if larger)
2 Onions (quartered)
2 Lemons (halved)
1 Head of Garlic (halved)

Seasoning Ingredients

3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon Paprika
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper (optional for extra heat)
2 Bay Leaves
Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

Optional Dipping Sauce

Melted Butter for serving (or try our Cowboy Butter)

Instructions

Prepare the Pot: Fill a large stockpot about two-thirds with water and bring it to a boil. Add Old Bay seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, and a generous pinch of salt. Squeeze the juice from the halved lemons into the pot, then add the lemon halves.
Boil the Vegetables: Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Then add the corn and sliced sausage and cook for another 5-7 minutes, ensuring the potatoes are tender.
Add the Seafood: Carefully add the crabs to the boiling water, ensuring they are submerged. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the crabs turn a bright red color. Add the shrimp in the last 5 minutes, as they cook quickly (3-4 minutes or until pink and opaque).
Taste and Adjust: Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you want more spice, add extra cayenne or black pepper.
Serve the Boil: Drain the contents of the pot using a strainer or colander. Spread everything out on a table lined with butcher paper or newspapers for a classic crab boil experience. Serve with melted butter or Cowboy Butter for dipping.

Notes

Other Seafood Options: This recipe is versatile—you can add mussels, clams, or even lobster tails for a more diverse seafood boil.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American (Southern)

Nutrition

Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 1850mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 275mg