Description
This Cajun Seafood Boil is a flavorful, hearty dish featuring succulent shrimp, tender crab legs, sweet corn, and baby potatoes, all infused with spicy Cajun seasoning and finished with a zesty garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a family gathering or casual feast, this recipe brings the taste of a classic Southern seafood boil right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Vegetables
- 2 pounds large shrimp (deveined)
- 1 pound crab legs (snow or king)
- 4 ears corn on the cob (halved)
- 1 pound baby potatoes
Seasoning and Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 lemons (sliced)
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Prepare Seafood: Wash seafood thoroughly; if using frozen shrimp, thaw in cold water to ensure even cooking and safety.
- Boil Water with Seasoning: Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add salt and Cajun seasoning to infuse the water with spicy flavors.
- Cook Potatoes: Add halved baby potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes until they are fork-tender, forming the base of your boil.
- Add Corn and Seafood: Add corn on the cob and seafood to the pot; cook for an additional 5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and crab legs are heated through.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, creating a rich and aromatic finishing sauce.
- Drain and Serve: Drain the seafood boil and spread it over newspaper or serving platters. Drizzle generously with the garlic butter sauce and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for a zesty finish.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor; if using frozen, thaw properly.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your spice preference.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy at optimal freshness.
- Newspapers can be substituted with parchment paper for a cleaner serving option.
- Add sausage or other seafood like clams for variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 1 cup seafood with sides)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: Cajun seafood boil, shrimp boil, crab legs recipe, Cajun seasoning seafood, seafood dinner, Southern boil
