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Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 122 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Cajun seafood boil featuring tender shrimp, snow crab, spicy andouille sausage, and fresh corn, all simmered in a zesty seasoned broth and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a fun, communal dining experience that brings the taste of the bayou to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cajun Seafood Boil:

  • 3 quarts water
  • 1 (12-ounce) can of beer (optional but highly recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons Creole Cajun Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
  • Hot sauce, to taste
  • 1 medium yellow onion, roughly sliced into half-moons
  • 1 large lemon, cut into wedges plus more for serving
  • 12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 lb baby potatoes, red or gold (or a mix of both)
  • 1 lb pre-cooked snow crab leg clusters, fresh or frozen
  • 1 – 1 ½ lbs jumbo shrimp, deveined, shell-on or peeled
  • 4–6 ears sweet corn on the cob (mini ones preferred)
  • 4–6 hard boiled eggs (optional)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 10 cloves of garlic, finely minced or pressed
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Creole Cajun Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Hot sauce, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the boil: In an extra large stockpot or Dutch oven (about 10 quarts or larger) set over medium-high heat, combine the water and beer (if using). Bring to a boil, then season with Creole Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, and hot sauce to taste. Add sliced onion and lemon wedges, stirring to combine. Let it boil for 15 minutes to infuse flavors.
  2. Add the andouille and potatoes: Carefully add the sliced andouille sausage rounds and baby potatoes to the pot. Stir well to incorporate. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are nearly fork-tender.
  3. Add the seafood and corn: Gently nestle the snow crab clusters, shrimp, and corn on the cob into the pot. Ensure all ingredients are submerged and stir gently to combine. Continue boiling for 5-7 minutes until shrimp turn pink and seafood is heated through.
  4. Make the garlic butter sauce: While the seafood boils, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, Creole Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and hot sauce to taste. Stir and simmer for 5-7 minutes until flavors meld and sauce is well combined. Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble Cajun seafood boil with sauce: Line a large baking sheet with foil, parchment paper, or newspaper. Using a spider strainer, transfer the seafood boil ingredients to the sheet, discarding the onion and lemon pieces. Add hard boiled eggs if using. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the seafood boil, then toss thoroughly with your hands (wear gloves if preferred) to coat everything evenly in sauce.
  6. Serve seafood boil: Serve immediately, either communal style with everyone grabbing from the baking sheet or plated individually. Provide lemon wedges for squeezing and encourage guests to mop up any remaining garlic butter sauce. Enjoy the delicious, messy feast!

Notes

  • Using beer in the boil adds extra depth and flavor, but you can omit it if preferred.
  • Pre-cooked crab legs reduce cooking time and simplify the process.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in both the boil and garlic butter sauce to control heat level.
  • If you want a thinner garlic butter sauce, add a few ladles of the seafood boil broth while stirring.
  • Hard boiled eggs add a nice protein element but are completely optional.
  • Wear disposable gloves when tossing to keep hands clean and coated in garlic butter sauce.
  • Use a large pot with plenty of capacity to ensure all ingredients cook evenly.
  • Serve with plenty of napkins or seafood crackers for cracking crab legs.

Keywords: Cajun seafood boil, garlic butter sauce, shrimp boil, snow crab, andouille sausage, Cajun recipe, seafood feast

Find it online: https://topreci.com/cajun-seafood-boil-with-garlic-butter-sauce-recipe/