Cajun Seafood Boil Corn (Print View)

A hearty Southern boil featuring shrimp, crab, sausage, corn, and potatoes with rich Cajun spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, shell-on, deveined
02 - 1 lb snow crab legs or king crab legs
03 - ½ lb mussels or clams (optional)

→ Sausage

04 - 12 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced into ¾-inch pieces

→ Vegetables

05 - 4 ears corn, cut into thirds
06 - 1½ lbs baby potatoes, halved if large
07 - 1 large yellow onion, quartered
08 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Seasonings & Aromatics

09 - 16 cups water
10 - 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning, plus extra for serving
11 - 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
12 - 2 tbsp kosher salt
13 - 4 garlic cloves, smashed
14 - 2 bay leaves

→ For Serving

15 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Lemon wedges

# Method:

01 - Fill a large stockpot with water. Add Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, kosher salt, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, quartered onion, and lemon slices. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, ensuring all seasonings are dissolved.
02 - Add halved baby potatoes to the boiling liquid. Cook for 10 minutes until potatoes begin to soften but still hold their shape.
03 - Add sliced andouille sausage and corn pieces to the pot. Continue boiling for 7 to 8 minutes until potatoes are nearly tender and sausage is heated through.
04 - Add crab legs and mussels or clams if using. Cook for 5 minutes until crab is heated through and mussel shells begin to open.
05 - Add shrimp to the pot. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook as shrimp will become rubbery.
06 - Pour contents through a colander or remove with a spider strainer, discarding bay leaves and lemon slices. Transfer everything to a large serving platter or spread over newspaper-lined table for rustic presentation.
07 - Drizzle melted butter evenly over the seafood and vegetables. Sprinkle generously with additional Cajun seasoning and fresh chopped parsley.
08 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra melted butter on the side for dipping. Provide crusty bread to soak up the seasoned butter and cooking juices.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • Its a complete meal that cooks all at once in one pot
  • The communal style eating turns dinner into a party
  • Leftovers (if any) reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Have your serving area ready before you start cooking because once everything is done, you need to dump and serve immediately
  • The timing matters, so do not walk away once you start adding ingredients to the boil
03 -
  • Buy the best seafood you can find since the flavor really shines through
  • Let the boiled ingredients rest in the drained pot for 2 minutes before dumping so they steam slightly

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