Description
Spicy Cajun seafood boil brings Louisiana’s coastal charm to your table, blending zesty seasonings with fresh Gulf Coast catches. Diners savor each succulent bite, transported by bold flavors that celebrate southern coastal culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lobster tails (split in half, optional)
- 1 lb crab legs (snow crab or king crab)
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on)
- 1 lb mussels or clams (cleaned)
- 1 lb smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa, sliced)
- 1 lb baby potatoes (red or gold)
- 4 ears corn (cut into halves)
- 8 cloves garlic (4 smashed, 4 minced)
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 3 tbsps Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tbsps salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 4 quarts (16 cups) water
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Combine Old Bay, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, lemon halves, and garlic cloves in a stockpot filled with water. Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, allowing seasonings to infuse and create a robust broth.
- Initial Cooking Stage: Submerge baby potatoes into the simmering liquid, cooking for 10 minutes. Add corn and sausage, continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes until partially tender.
- Seafood Integration: Gently lower crab legs, shrimp, mussels, and lobster tails into the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, watching for shrimp to turn pink and shellfish to open, indicating perfect preparation.
- Garlic Butter Creation: Melt butter in a separate pan, incorporating minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Simmer briefly to develop a rich, aromatic sauce.
- Serving Composition: Transfer the entire seafood mixture to a large platter using a slotted spoon. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the dish, ensuring even distribution and maximum flavor coverage.
- Final Presentation: Serve immediately with additional lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and a side of melted butter for enhanced enjoyment. Invite guests to dive into this maritime feast and savor the complex, layered flavors.
Notes
- Season Carefully: Use fresh seafood and adjust Old Bay seasoning to personal taste preferences to avoid overpowering the natural flavors of the seafood.
- Time Seafood Precisely: Watch cooking times closely as seafood can quickly become rubbery or overcooked – shrimp turns pink in 5-7 minutes, indicating perfect doneness.
- Prevent Waterlogging: Use a slotted spoon when transferring ingredients to avoid excess liquid, ensuring a rich, concentrated flavor and preventing a watery presentation.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular sausage with turkey or plant-based alternatives, and use gluten-free seasonings for those with specific dietary restrictions while maintaining the dish’s bold, zesty profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg