Juicy Cajun Seafood Boil With Rich Garlic Butter Sauce

Ella Cooks

Juicy Cajun Seafood Boil With Rich Garlic Butter Sauce

Love it? Click to rate

Be the first to rate this recipe!

This is the kind of meal people gather around the table for. Big prawns, crab legs, corn, potatoes, and sausage, all drenched in a glossy, spicy garlic butter sauce that soaks into everything.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 720

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

Seafood Boil

1½ lb large shrimp shell on
1½ lb crab legs snow crab or king crab
12 oz smoked sausage sliced into chunks
1½ lb baby potatoes
3 ears corn cut into thirds
1 lemon halved
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon salt

Garlic Butter Sauce

1½ cups unsalted butter
8 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili flakes optional
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Equipment

Very large stockpot
Large skillet or saucepan
Slotted spoon
Tongs
Baking tray or large serving platter
Parchment paper or foil (for serving)

Method

Boil the Base

Fill a large stockpot with water and add Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, salt, and the lemon halves. Bring to a rolling boil.

Cook the Potatoes and Corn

Add the potatoes and boil for 10–12 minutes until just tender. Add the corn and sausage and cook for another 5 minutes.

Add the Seafood

Add crab legs and shrimp. Cook for 3–4 minutes only, until shrimp are pink and just cooked through. Drain everything well.

Make the Sauce

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, chili flakes, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.

Combine

Add all the drained seafood, corn, potatoes, and sausage to the sauce. Toss gently until everything is fully coated.

Serve

Pour onto a lined tray or platter. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 720kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 38gFat: 45g

Notes

Tips & Variations

Extra saucy: Double the sauce and pour half over the platter at the table
No crab: Swap for mussels or clams
Less heat: Skip chili flakes and reduce Cajun seasoning slightly
TikTok-style finish: Spoon extra sauce over everything right before serving

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Seafood boils are best eaten fresh, but you can prep the sauce and chop everything earlier in the day.

Do I need shells on the shrimp?
Shell-on shrimp give the best flavor and look more authentic for a seafood boil, but peeled shrimp will still work.

What should I serve with it?
Crusty bread, cold beer, iced tea, or nothing at all. This is the main event.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!