Small Batch Seafood Boil for Two 🦐💑Intimate, Buttery, and Packed with Big Boil Energy in a Small Pot

This seafood boil for two brings all the bold Cajun heat, garlicky butter, and juicy shellfish of a traditional boil — just scaled to fit one pot, two plates, and zero leftovers (unless you really hold back).

Ingredients (Serves 2 generously)

• ½ lb large shrimp, shell-on or peeled
• ½ lb snow crab legs or 1 lobster tail
• 6 oz smoked sausage, sliced
• ½ lb baby potatoes, halved
• 1 ear corn, cut into thirds
• ½ lemon, halved
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt to taste

Garlic Butter Sauce

• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Optional: a few dashes hot sauce or red pepper flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Base

Fill a medium pot halfway with water. Squeeze in lemon juice and drop in the halves. Add Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.

Add potatoes and cook for 10–12 minutes. Add corn and sausage, boil 5 minutes more. Add shrimp and crab/lobster last — boil 3–4 minutes until shrimp are pink and everything is cooked through.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter

While the pot’s going, melt butter in a small pan. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Stir in Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, and optional spice.

Step 3: Serve It Up

Drain the pot and transfer everything to a tray, bowl, or parchment-covered table. Drizzle with garlic butter or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with lemon wedges and herbs if you’re feeling fancy.

Flavor Variations

• Add mussels or scallops if you want more variety
• Try a honey-Cajun butter for a sweet-heat finish
• Swap Old Bay for lemon-pepper or garlic-parmesan seasoning
• Toss in pre-cooked ramen at the end for a noodle twist

Serving Ideas

• Crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the sauce
• Simple green salad or coleslaw on the side
• Serve with chilled white wine, light beer, or sparkling lemonade
• Candles optional — extra butter not

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the garlic butter — it’s the flavor bomb that ties it all together
• Use shell-on shrimp for more flavor (but peeled makes for easier date-night eating)
• Line your tray with parchment for fast cleanup
• Want leftovers? Scale up the butter and boil mix and make seafood pasta the next day

Final Thoughts

Small Batch Seafood Boil for Two is cozy, flavorful, and totally feast-worthy — proof that you don’t need a party to bring the boil. It’s big taste in a small pot, perfect for sharing (or not).

Boil just enough. Butter like it’s for four. Feast like it’s all yours. 🦐💑🔥

🦐 Explore More Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection 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/
🧀 Comforting Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, cheesy bakes with crab, shrimp, or scallops.
🥣 Warm and Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick and delicious mains like garlic butter tilapia.
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light yet flavorful options like grilled mahi mahi with salsa.
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy rice dishes with seared scallops and fresh veg.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Hearty, rustic stews from the Mediterranean and beyond.