15 Tasty Boil Seafood Recipes

Boil Seafood Recipes are a delicious way to enjoy the fresh, bold flavors of the sea in a simple, one-pot meal that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners. These dishes bring together a medley of seafood—like shrimp, crab, mussels, or crawfish—alongside hearty ingredients such as corn, potatoes, and sausage, all simmered in rich, seasoned broths. Whether you’re hosting a backyard boil or craving a cozy seafood feast at home, these recipes are designed to be easy, flavorful, and satisfying. In this article, we’ve rounded up 15 of the tastiest seafood boil recipes that are guaranteed to impress your family and guests alike.

Boil Seafood Recipes

1. Classic Cajun Seafood Boil

The Classic Cajun Seafood Boil is a Southern favorite that brings together a flavorful mix of shrimp, crab legs, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes all cooked in a spicy Cajun-seasoned broth. It’s the perfect dish for large gatherings or a fun weekend feast with family and friends. Serve it on a newspaper-lined table for a traditional, mess-free experience!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp (shell-on)

• 1 lb snow crab legs

• 2 andouille sausages, sliced

• 4 ears of corn, halved

• 1 lb baby potatoes

• 1 lemon, halved

• 4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Protein: 35g

• Carbohydrates: 28g

• Fat: 30g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sodium: 1250mg

• Cholesterol: 220mg

This hearty boil packs bold flavors with a spicy kick and provides a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbs, making it both delicious and satisfying.

2. Garlic Butter Shrimp Boil

The Garlic Butter Shrimp Boil is a rich and flavorful twist on the classic boil, loaded with juicy shrimp, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and smoky sausage—all coated in a decadent garlic butter sauce. It’s quick to make, easy to clean up, and perfect for both special occasions and busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• 4 small red potatoes, halved

• 2 ears corn, cut into thirds

• 2 andouille sausages, sliced

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~490 kcal

• Protein: 32g

• Carbohydrates: 24g

• Fat: 30g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1080mg

• Cholesterol: 200mg

This buttery, garlicky shrimp boil delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, offering a satisfying balance of savory seafood and hearty sides in every bite.

3. Old Bay Crab Boil

The Old Bay Crab Boil is a timeless East Coast seafood tradition, known for its bold, zesty flavor and simple preparation. Featuring blue crab, red potatoes, corn, and smoked sausage, this recipe is generously seasoned with Old Bay for that unmistakable Chesapeake Bay kick. It’s perfect for casual get-togethers and seafood lovers alike.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs blue crab or snow crab legs

• 1 lb red potatoes, halved

• 3 ears corn, cut into thirds

• 2 smoked sausages, sliced

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

• 3 cloves garlic, smashed

• Water for boiling

• Melted butter for dipping

• Fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~510 kcal

• Protein: 36g

• Carbohydrates: 27g

• Fat: 28g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1350mg

• Cholesterol: 210mg

Savory, spicy, and irresistibly messy in the best way, this crab boil delivers a true taste of coastal comfort food with every flavorful bite.

4. Spicy Louisiana Crawfish Boil

The Spicy Louisiana Crawfish Boil is a Southern staple that bursts with bold, fiery flavor and backyard boil charm. This dish features live crawfish simmered with hearty vegetables, sausage, and intense Cajun spices. It’s traditionally served on a large table for everyone to gather around and dig in—making it more than just a meal, but a festive experience.

Ingredients:

• 3–5 lbs live crawfish (cleaned and purged)

• 1 lb baby red potatoes

• 4 ears corn, halved

• 2 andouille sausages, sliced

• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning (more to taste)

• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1 head garlic, halved

• 4 bay leaves

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

• 1 stick butter (optional, for tossing)

• Salt to taste

• Water for boiling

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~480 kcal

• Protein: 34g

• Carbohydrates: 26g

• Fat: 27g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1400mg

• Cholesterol: 260mg

Fiery, fragrant, and deeply satisfying, this crawfish boil delivers an authentic taste of Louisiana that’s best enjoyed outdoors, with cold drinks and good company.

5. Seafood Boil in a Bag

The Seafood Boil in a Bag is a convenient, mess-free way to enjoy all the rich flavors of a classic seafood boil—right from your oven. Packed into oven-safe bags, this recipe steams shrimp, crab, clams, sausage, corn, and potatoes in a buttery Cajun garlic sauce. It’s a crowd-pleasing option that’s as fun to eat as it is easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb large shrimp (shell-on or peeled)

• 1/2 lb snow crab legs

• 1/2 lb clams or mussels

• 2 small red potatoes, quartered

• 1 ear corn, cut into thirds

• 1 sausage link, sliced

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• Oven-safe boil bag or foil packet

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Protein: 38g

• Carbohydrates: 22g

• Fat: 30g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: 1250mg

• Cholesterol: 240mg

Perfect for weeknight dinners or no-fuss entertaining, this seafood boil in a bag locks in flavor and moisture, delivering a juicy, savory seafood feast with practically zero cleanup.

6. Low Country Boil

The Low Country Boil is a beloved Southern coastal dish, especially popular in Georgia and the Carolinas. Also known as Frogmore Stew, this hearty one-pot meal combines shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and potatoes—all seasoned with Old Bay and boiled to perfection. It’s a rustic, family-style meal that’s perfect for summer cookouts and large gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp (shell-on)

• 1 lb baby red potatoes

• 2 ears corn, cut into thirds

• 2 smoked sausages, sliced

• 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning

• 1 lemon, halved

• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

• 2 bay leaves

• Salt to taste

• Water for boiling

• Optional: hot sauce, melted butter for serving

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~475 kcal

• Protein: 32g

• Carbohydrates: 25g

• Fat: 28g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1150mg

• Cholesterol: 190mg

This simple yet flavorful boil is all about community and comfort, delivering down-home charm with every bite of smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and sweet corn.

7. Beer-Boiled Lobster Tails

The Beer-Boiled Lobster Tails recipe adds a rich depth of flavor to tender, buttery lobster by poaching it in a seasoned beer broth. The beer enhances the natural sweetness of the lobster meat, while herbs, lemon, and garlic infuse every bite with subtle aromatic notes. This upscale yet easy dish is perfect for date nights or dinner parties.

Ingredients:

• 2–4 lobster tails, split

• 2 cups light beer (lager or pilsner)

• 1 cup water

• 1 lemon, sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

• 2 bay leaves

• 2 tablespoons butter (for serving)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~380 kcal

• Protein: 34g

• Carbohydrates: 6g

• Fat: 24g

• Fiber: 0g

• Sodium: 980mg

• Cholesterol: 180mg

Elegant yet effortless, this lobster dish delivers a luxurious seafood experience with bold flavor from the beer boil and silky richness from melted butter on top.

8. Asian-Inspired Seafood Boil

The Asian-Inspired Seafood Boil brings a unique twist to the traditional boil by incorporating bold flavors like ginger, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and sesame oil. This fusion recipe combines shrimp, mussels, and crab with vegetables and noodles for a flavorful, umami-packed seafood feast with a satisfying spicy-sweet finish.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb shrimp (shell-on or peeled)

• 1/2 lb mussels or clams

• 1/2 lb crab legs or claws

• 1 cup baby corn or corn on the cob pieces

• 1 cup bok choy or napa cabbage (optional)

• 2 packs instant ramen noodles (seasoning packets discarded)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-inch piece ginger, sliced

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• Juice of 1 lime

• Fresh cilantro and scallions (for garnish)

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Protein: 35g

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Fat: 24g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1400mg

• Cholesterol: 190mg

A bold and flavorful mashup, this seafood boil is loaded with Asian aromatics and spices that make it vibrant, exciting, and irresistibly slurp-worthy.

9. Creamy Cajun Seafood Boil Pasta

The Creamy Cajun Seafood Boil Pasta combines the rich, flavorful elements of a seafood boil with a luscious, creamy Cajun sauce and pasta. This dish takes the classic boil ingredients—shrimp, crab, sausage, and corn—and adds a decadent creamy base, making it a comforting yet bold fusion meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• 1/2 lb crab meat or crab legs

• 2 andouille sausages, sliced

• 2 ears corn, cut into thirds

• 8 oz penne pasta

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~600 kcal

• Protein: 38g

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Fat: 33g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 1200mg

• Cholesterol: 230mg

This creamy pasta dish perfectly balances the heat of Cajun spices with the richness of a creamy sauce, bringing together the best of a seafood boil and pasta into one indulgent dish.

10. New Orleans-Style Shrimp Boil

The New Orleans-Style Shrimp Boil is a true taste of the Big Easy, infusing bold Creole and Cajun flavors into a simple yet flavorful seafood boil. With tender shrimp, smoky sausage, and seasoned corn and potatoes, this dish captures the essence of New Orleans’ culinary magic. It’s perfect for a crowd and best enjoyed with a good dose of spice and a side of French bread to soak up the flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs large shrimp (shell-on)

• 1 lb baby potatoes

• 4 ears corn, halved

• 2 andouille sausages, sliced

• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning

• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning

• 2 tablespoons paprika

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

• 1 lemon, halved

• 6 cloves garlic, smashed

• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

• Salt to taste

• Water for boiling

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Protein: 38g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Fat: 24g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sodium: 1300mg

• Cholesterol: 210mg

This hearty, flavorful boil bursts with the unique spices of New Orleans, offering a satisfying mix of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes all soaked in a seasoned broth that’s rich in flavor and tradition.

FAQ

1. What seafood is best for a seafood boil?

The best seafood for a seafood boil includes shrimp, crab legs, lobster, clams, mussels, and crawfish. You can also include other seafood like scallops, oysters, and even fish fillets, depending on your preferences.

2. Can I make a seafood boil in advance?

Yes, you can prepare many elements of a seafood boil in advance. You can pre-cook the potatoes, corn, and sausages, then reheat them with the seafood just before serving. However, for the best flavor and texture, it’s best to cook the seafood just before serving.

3. How do I make a seafood boil spicier?

To make your seafood boil spicier, add more Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chili flakes to the broth. You can also use spicier sausage like chorizo or andouille to increase the heat. Adjust to your preferred spice level!

4. Can I substitute ingredients in a seafood boil?

Yes! You can substitute ingredients in a seafood boil based on availability or personal preference. For example, you can swap out corn for other vegetables like carrots or zucchini, or replace sausage with chicken or other meats. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and seafood options too!