Description
Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce is a bold, flavorful Southern dish combining shrimp, crab, crawfish, and spicy andouille sausage with red potatoes and corn, all drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce. Perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, this easy-to-make meal offers vibrant Cajun spices, fresh ingredients, and a fun, communal dining experience.
Ingredients
Seafood
- Shrimp (about 1 lb, peeled and deveined)
- Crab legs (1 lb)
- Crawfish (1 lb)
Meat
- Andouille sausage (1 lb, sliced)
Vegetables
- Red potatoes (1.5 lbs, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Corn on the cob (2 ears, cut into smaller sections)
- Fresh parsley (1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish)
Seasonings & Sauce
- Cajun seasoning blend (3 tablespoons, plus extra for sauce and boiling water)
- Garlic (6 cloves, finely chopped)
- Butter (1 cup or 2 sticks)
- Salt (to taste, about 1 tablespoon for boiling water)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Wash and cut the red potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Shuck and cut the corn into smaller sections. Finely chop the garlic. If using frozen seafood, ensure it is fully thawed and patted dry.
- Boil the potatoes and corn: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous spoonful (about 1 tablespoon) of Cajun seasoning and salt, then bring to a boil. Add the potatoes first and cook for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the corn pieces and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add sausage and seafood: Add the sliced andouille sausage to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes. Finally, add shrimp, crab legs, and crawfish. Cook everything together until the seafood becomes opaque and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: While the boil cooks, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in a pinch of Cajun seasoning and a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
- Drain and combine: Drain the cooked seafood boil well to remove excess water. Return the boil ingredients to the pot or a large serving dish. Pour the hot garlic butter sauce evenly over the seafood, potatoes, and sausage. Toss gently to coat every piece thoroughly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top and serve with lemon wedges on the side to brighten flavors just before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood whenever possible for the best texture and flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the seafood to avoid a rubbery texture.
- Make your own Cajun seasoning by mixing paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano for fresher, vibrant flavor.
- Cook garlic in butter on medium heat to infuse flavor without burning.
- Drain the boil ingredients well before adding butter sauce to prevent a watery dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Southern Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
Keywords: Cajun seafood boil, garlic butter sauce, shrimp, crab, crawfish, andouille sausage, Southern cuisine, Cajun seasoning, spicy seafood boil, communal meal
