Classic Seafood Boil 🦐🌽 Old Bay, Potatoes, Corn, and All the Shells You Can Handle

A Classic Seafood Boil is summer in a pot — shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn, and sausage all boiled in seasoned water, drained, and dumped onto the table for dipping and devouring.

No plating. No pretense. Just pure seafood celebration.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 lb large shrimp, shell-on
• 1 lb crab legs (snow or king)
• 12 oz andouille or smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 lb small red or Yukon gold potatoes
• 4 ears corn, halved
• 2 lemons, halved
• 1–2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (plus more for sprinkling)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• Optional: mussels, clams, lobster tails

Garlic Butter for Dipping

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Pinch of paprika or Old Bay

Instructions

Step 1: Start the Boil

Fill a large stockpot with 6–8 quarts of water. Add salt, Old Bay, bay leaves, and lemons (squeeze in the juice, then drop them in). Bring to a rolling boil.

Step 2: Cook in Stages

Add potatoes first and cook 10–12 minutes. Add sausage and corn, boil another 5 minutes. Add crab and shrimp last; boil 3–4 minutes or until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Drain immediately.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter

While the boil finishes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and paprika or Old Bay. Keep warm.

Step 4: Serve It Up

Dump everything onto a large tray, newspaper-covered table, or sheet pan. Drizzle with garlic butter or serve on the side. Sprinkle with more Old Bay and chopped parsley if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add beer to the boil water for extra depth
• Use Cajun seasoning or your own custom spice blend
• Finish with a squeeze of orange juice or hot sauce
• Add sliced onions or garlic cloves to the pot for extra savoriness

Serving Ideas

• Serve with crusty bread, lemon wedges, and extra napkins
• Add melted butter, cocktail sauce, or remoulade for dipping
• Cold beer, sweet tea, or lemonade are perfect pairings
• Great with a simple slaw or potato salad on the side

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook shrimp — they only need a few minutes
• Leave shells on for best flavor and juicier texture
• Keep the pot covered between ingredient additions for steady heat
• Prep your serving area before draining — it moves fast once the seafood’s done

🦐 Must-try Seafood Boil Recipes

Whether you’re hosting a backyard feast or prepping a mess-free weeknight boil, this guide has every type of seafood boil you’ll want to try — saucy, spicy, buttery, and bold.

🍲 Seafood Boil Recipes (Main Hub) – All-in-one collection of crowd-pleasing seafood boils, sauces, and cooking methods.

🧄 Classic & Signature Recipes

🦞 Classic Seafood Boil – Traditional Southern-style with shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage.
🔥 The Best Seafood Boil Recipe Ever – Boldly seasoned and crowd-tested — a showstopper.
🌶️ Spicy Cajun Seafood Boil – Heaps of heat, juicy shrimp, and big Cajun flavor.
🥄 Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce – Drizzle or dip — buttery, garlicky perfection.

⏱️ Quick & Easy Options

⚡ Quick & Easy Seafood Boil – Perfect when you want the boil without the fuss.
👨‍🍳 Easy Seafood Boil for Beginners – Foolproof and flavor-packed, even if it’s your first time.
👩‍❤️‍👨 Small Batch Seafood Boil for Two – Date-night or solo-boil sized with no waste.

🧺 Creative & Nontraditional Twists

🍜 Seafood Boil with Ramen Noodles – A slurpable seafood boil hybrid that hits hard.
🛍️ Seafood Boil in a Bag (No Mess!) – Just shake and steam — ultra flavorful, zero cleanup.
🧄 Seafood Boil in a Bag with Garlic Butter – Butter-forward boil packed in a no-fuss bag.

🔥 Alternative Cooking Methods

🔥 Oven-Baked Seafood Boil – Baked in a pan, easy to scale for a crowd.
🥘 Foil Packet Seafood Boil (Oven) – Great for camping or single servings.
🐢 Slow Cooker Seafood Boil (Crockpot) – Dump, set, forget — the slow-simmered flavor is deep and delicious.
🌭 Hot & Spicy Seafood Boil with Sausage – Extra heat, extra sausage, extra satisfying.

Final Thoughts

Classic Seafood Boil is everything a seafood feast should be — hot, seasoned, shareable, and finger-friendly. It’s not fancy, but it’s packed with flavor, built to serve a crowd, and guaranteed to bring the party.

Boil deep. Drain fast. Dip hot. 🦐🌽🔥

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.