Ultimate Cajun Seafood Boil with Lobster, Shrimp & Corn

Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Introduction

Seafood Boil Recipe brings the ultimate coastal experience right to your kitchen, combining bold Cajun spices, tender lobster, juicy shrimp, and buttery corn into one unforgettable feast. What makes this dish special is the layering of flavors—from the aromatic boil infused with garlic, paprika, and bay leaves to the final drizzle of rich garlic butter. Every bite captures smoky, spicy, citrusy undertones that elevate this classic Southern favorite. This hearty one-pot recipe is perfect for gatherings, summer cookouts, or seafood nights. Quick tip: prep all your ingredients before starting, because the timing moves fast once the boil begins.

Ingredients

Seafood & Add-Ins

• 2 lobster tails (5–6 oz each) (142–170 g)
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled & deveined (454 g)
• 1 lb snow crab legs (454 g)
• 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced (340 g)
• 4 ears corn, cut into thirds
• 1 lb baby potatoes (454 g)
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head garlic, halved

Cajun Boil Seasoning

• 1/2 cup Cajun seasoning (60 g)
• 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (14 g)
• 1 tbsp paprika (7 g)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (7 g)
• 1 tbsp onion powder (7 g)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 2 bay leaves

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113 g)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (7 g)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Build your flavor base.

   Fill a large stockpot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Add Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, the halved lemon, and garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes to develop a rich, aromatic broth.

2. Cook the potatoes.

   Add the baby potatoes and cook for 10–12 minutes, until fork-tender but still firm. Proper timing prevents them from falling apart later.

3. Add sausage and corn.

   Drop in the sliced sausage and corn pieces. Boil for 5 minutes. The broth will deepen in color and take on a smoky, spicy aroma.

4. Cook the lobster tails.

   Add the lobster tails carefully. Boil for 5–6 minutes until the shells turn bright red and the meat turns white and opaque.

5. Add shrimp and crab legs.

   Stir in the shrimp and snow crab legs. Shrimp cook quickly—2–3 minutes is enough. Crab legs need about 3 minutes to heat through without overcooking.

6. Make the garlic butter sauce.

   In a small pan, melt the butter and mix in garlic, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, and parsley. Warm for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. This will enhance the seafood with rich, buttery, spicy notes.

7. Drain and serve.

   Drain the boil and transfer everything to a large platter. Drizzle generously with garlic butter and serve extra on the side for dipping. Enjoy immediately while hot and juicy.

FAQs

Can I make this seafood boil ahead of time?

It's best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep all ingredients in advance so the cooking process is quick and smooth.

What other seafood can I use?

Mussels, crawfish, clams, scallops, or king crab legs are all great options—just adjust cook times based on size.

How can I reduce the spice level?

Skip the cayenne pepper and reduce Cajun seasoning by half. Add extra lemon for brightness without heat.

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