🦀🦐 Cajun Seafood Boil
A bold, spicy, and festive one-pot meal with shrimp, crab, sausage, corn, and potatoes — perfect for gatherings or a weekend feast.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Seafood & Meat:
- 1 lb (450g) shrimp, deveined
- 1 lb (450g) crab legs or claws
- 1 lb (450g) smoked sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
Vegetables & Extras:
- 4–6 small red potatoes
- 2 ears corn, cut into thirds
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 lemon, halved
Seasoning & Sauce:
- 3–4 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp cayenne (adjust to taste)
- 2–3 bay leaves
- 6 cups water
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)
🥣 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Boil
- Fill a large pot with water. Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, bay leaves, garlic, lemon halves, and onion.
- Bring to a boil.
2️⃣ Cook Potatoes & Corn
- Add potatoes and boil 10–12 minutes until almost tender.
- Add corn and sausage; cook 5–7 minutes.
3️⃣ Add Seafood
- Add crab and shrimp; cook 5–7 minutes until shrimp turn pink and crab is heated through.
4️⃣ Finish & Serve
- Drain everything and place on a large serving tray or newspaper-covered table for a communal style feast.
- Toss with melted butter if desired.
- Serve with lemon wedges, extra Cajun seasoning, and crusty bread.
🔥 Tips & Variations
Extra Spicy
- Add whole dried chilies or increase cayenne.
- Sprinkle extra Cajun seasoning over seafood after draining.
Flavor Boosters
- Smoked sausage adds depth; andouille is traditional.
- Add Old Bay or garlic butter for extra richness.
Make-Ahead
- Chop vegetables and sausage in advance.
- Seafood should be added last to avoid overcooking.
Low-Mess Serving
- Serve on a newspaper-covered table with bibs for a traditional Cajun boil experience.
If you want, I can also give you:
- Sheet pan Cajun seafood boil
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker version
- Extra spicy restaurant-style Cajun boil
- Low-carb version with cauliflower instead of potatoes
Do you want it classic mild Cajun or fiery spicy?
