Shrimp and Crab Boil

This Shrimp and Crab Boil is downright epic for seafood lovers! Loaded with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, potatoes, corn, and homemade Old Bay Shrimp Seasoning, this indulgent meal will take you straight to the beach!

Serve it with melted butter, Cajun Remolade Sauce, and Homemade Cocktail Sauce, and everyone will be raving about dinner.

Shrimp and Crab Boil recipe

This Shrimp and Crab Boil is so delicious and crave-worthy. One of my favorite things to do and eat is get a big seafood boil at the beach. I also love bringing those flavors home and making my own, too!  The Hubs and I have been making versions of this for years and years, and now love sharing our love of seafood with the twins.  Luckily, they love this plate as much as we do!

If the idea of cooking seafood, such as shrimp and crab legs, intimidates you, don't worry, it's actually REALLY easy to make this at home.  This entire recipe is made in one pot on the stove and boils all together in just 30 minutes.  It's a well-rounded meal with the potatoes and corn all going together in the pot.  This is a low-effort, BIG-results recipe you will find yourself making again and again.  This is honestly easy enough for a weeknight dinner but is sure to WOW your guests at your next cookout.  You should have seen how excited my family is when I make this.

The trick with a good Shrimp and Crab Boil is a hearty helping of my Homemade Old Bay Seafood Boil Seasoning or using store-bought Old Bay.  Serve it with melted butter, Cajun Remolade Sauce, and Homemade Cocktail Sauce.  Either way, this gives the shrimp and crabs that classic beach flavor.

Why You'll Love this Shrimp and Crab Boil recipe...

• This Shrimp and Crab Boil recipe is such an epic meal, but it is actually really easy to make.  You literally boil all of this in just one pot!
• If you are intimidated by making seafood and crab at home, this is an easy way to prepare them.
• If you are trying to make an impressive meal, this is it.
• The flavors are so good!
• The fresh seafood shines.
• It's actually really good for you.  Just limit the butter you use if you are trying to keep this a light meal.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Shrimp and Crab Boil recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Shrimp: I like to use jumbo shrimp or colossal shrimp for this.  I actually like to use shirp with the peel still on it, but it's devined.  So you still get to peel them and hold them up in the boiling water.  If you can't find fresh shrimp, feel free to use frozen ones.  Just make sure to thaw them out before you start cooking.
• Crab Legs: Look for crab legs in the seafood counter or in the frozen section of your grocery store.  They are generally sold precooked and basically just need to be warmed up.  If yours are frozen, thaw them out before cooking.
• Potatoes: Look for small or baby potatoes that you can throw in whole.  I like red potatoes, but you can use golden ones too.
• Onion: I like to add a cut-up onion for flavor and texture.
• Corn: Use whole corn on the cob that is cut in half.
• Seafood Boil Seasoning: I made my own Homemade Seafood Boil Seasoning that you can use, or you can use Old Bay. This is a key flavor and ingredient here; don't skimp on it.
• Lemon: I love adding a whole fresh lemons to the pot to infuse the shrimp with flavor.
• Garlic: This is another key flavor!  I like to use garlic cloves with this.
• Salt: You will need some salt to bring out the flavors.
• Optional Sausage: Since I'm a pescatarian, I leave the sausage off of mine, but you can easily add your favorite sausage to this, like kielbasa or andouille sausage.  Add the sausage to the pot with the potatoes.
• Dips: You will most likely want to serve this with dips like melted butter, Cocktail Sauce, and/or Cajun Remoulade Sauce.

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions to make this Shrimp and Crab Boil, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Fill an extra-large stockpot about halfway with water and bring the water to a boil. Add the lemon, seafood seasoning, and salt.
2. Add the potatoes, onion, and corn to the pot. Cook for 18 minutes, until just starting to turn tender.  If you are using sausage, add it here.
3. Add the crab legs to the pot. Allow them to cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for just 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn opaque and pink.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and drain off the liquid.
6. Pour the Shrimp and Crab Boil into a serving dish.  You can also pour it in the middle of the table over a newspaper, for a more traditional presentation.
7. Serve with melted butter and enjoy!

Shrimp and Crab Boil Variations

I love this Shrimp and Crab Boil recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Make it for a Crowd: You can easily double or triple this to make in a big turkey fryer pot.
• Add Other Seafood: You can also add clams, mussels, lobster tails, or crawfish.
• Make it Spicy: Add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

FAQ

Storage & Leftovers

This is best enjoyed hot and fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.  I would not try to freeze this.

How long do you boil shrimp and crabs together?

Crab takes slightly longer to cook than shrimp. I recommend adding the crab legs to the pot first and cooking for 5 minutes.  Then add the shrimp and cook for just 2-3 minutes.  Shrimp cook very quickly and will be rubbery if you overcook them.

If you make this Shrimp and Crab Boil, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Shrimp and Crab Boil

Julie Wunder

This Shrimp and Crab Boil is downright epic for seafood lovers! Loaded with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, potatoes, corn, and homemade Old Bay Shrimp Seasoning, this indulgent meal will take you straight to the beach!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Cajun

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lemon, halved
• ½ cup seafood boil seasoing or Old Bay
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1.5 pounds potatoes, halved
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 corn ears, halved
• 2 pounds shrimp
• 2 pounds crab legs
• 4 garlic cloves, no skin, smashed

Instructions

 

• Fill an extra-large stockpot about halfway with water and bring the water to a boil. Add the lemon, seafood seasoning, and salt.
• Add the potatoes, onion, and corn to the pot. Cook for 18 minutes, until just starting to turn tender.
• Add the crab legs to the pot. Allow them to cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for just 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn opaque and pink.
• Remove the pot from the heat and drain off the liquid.
• Pour the Shrimp and Crab Boil into a serving dish.
• Serve with melted butter and enjoy!

Notes

Storage & Leftovers

This is best enjoyed hot and fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.  I would not try to freeze this.

Keyword Shrimp and Crab Boil

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

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