Go Back
–+ servings
seafood boil recipe with crab, potatoes, corn and shrimp on a serving platter
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Seafood Boil Recipe

This is a recipe for a crab boil with Old Bay seasoning, which is our favorite way to do a East coast style seafood boil. Be sure to read through all the directions about layering your seafood boil so ingredients aren't overcooked.
▶SCROLL UP (above this recipe card) for important recipe tips.
You will need at least a 10-quart tall stock pot for this recipe.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts water
  • 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning (plus more for topping)
  • 1 medium yellow onion peeled, quartered, and slices separated
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 large lemons quartered
  • 1 pound baby potatoes red or gold (or both), washed
  • 6 small ears sweet corn (I usually break regular ears of corn in half for this)
  • 8-12 clusters snow crab precooked, fresh or frozen (this is about 3-6 pounds, depending on size)*
  • 2 pounds jumbo shrimp peeled or in shell, deveined

Instructions

  • In an oversized stock pot, combine water, Old Bay seasoning, onions, and garlic. Squeeze half of the lemons into the water and add the lemons (with peel) you just squeezed. (Reserved the other half of lemons for serving.) Stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir.
  • Carefully add baby potatoes to the water mixture, stir, and let cook for 10-12 minutes, or until you can just pierce the potatoes with a fork.
  • Add the corn into the liquid on top of the potatoes and cook for around 5-7 minutes. Make sure everything is covered by the liquid. (This is also the step you would add sausage, if using.)
  • On top of the corn, add in crab legs. Cook for 5-10 minutes. In this last 5 minutes, add shrimp into the liquid and cook for 5 minutes. Shrimp are done when slightly start to turn into a C-shape.

TO SERVE:

  • Line a platter or table with newspaper or craft paper. Carefully strain ingredients from liquid and place on platter or table while hot. Top lightly with additional Old Bay seasoning.
  • Serve with fresh lemon quarters, extra old bay, and sides of drawn butter. (SEE POST FOR DRAWN BUTTER RECIPE.)

Notes

*Plan for 2-3+ crab clusters per person.
OPTIONAL: You can also add andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning for a Cajun style seafood boil. Add 1-2 13-0unce packages of sausage, cut into rounds, when you add the corn.
You can also add a 12-ounce can of beer to the water mixture for an even more flavorful broth.
I also left salt off of this recipe because I find Old Bay seasoning to be very salty. You can taste the water broth mixture before adding ingredients and add salt, if needed.