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Crab Boil Recipe

Crab Boil Recipe

Pinklady
Crab boils trace back to coastal regions of the United States, especially in the southern states like Louisiana, where they’re part of the Cajun and Creole culinary traditions. Over time, crab boils have become a popular gathering meal in many coastal areas, where fresh seafood and spices are brought together for a memorable, communal experience.
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Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Large stockpot or crab boil pot (at least 16-quart capacity)
  • Tongs
  • Strainer
  • Large serving platter or newspaper for serving

Ingredients
  

  • 4 lbs fresh or frozen crab (Dungeness, snow crab, or king crab)
  • 1 lb shrimp, deveined (optional)
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 lbs small red potatoes, halved
  • 4 ears of corn, cut into thirds
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 lemons, halved
  • 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Melted butter, for dipping

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Vegetables: Halve the potatoes, cut the corn into thirds, and quarter the onion.
  • Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine Old Bay, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. This blend will add a delicious, bold flavor to the boil.
  • Add Water and Seasonings: In your large stockpot, fill with water to about two-thirds full, enough to submerge all ingredients. Squeeze the lemon halves into the pot, then toss them in along with the smashed garlic and onion.
  • Add Seasonings: Stir in the seasoning blend and bring the pot to a rolling boil.
  • Cook in Stages
    Add Potatoes: Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes. Let them cook for about 10-12 minutes until they’re starting to soften.
  • Add Sausage and Corn: Add the smoked sausage and corn to the pot. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until both are nearly tender.
  • Add Crab and Shrimp: Carefully add the crab to the pot and cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on whether the crab is fresh or pre-cooked (if it’s pre-cooked, just heat until warmed through). If using shrimp, add them in the last 5 minutes, as they cook quickly.
  • Taste and Adjust: Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Drain and Serve: Once everything is perfectly cooked, use tongs to carefully transfer the ingredients to a large strainer to drain. Lay out newspaper on your serving table or use a large serving platter.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top and serve with melted butter on the side for dipping.

Video

Keyword Crab Boil Recipe