Description
This easy Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce combines succulent shrimp, tender crab legs, mussels, sweet corn, and red potatoes simmered in a spicy Cajun broth and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for gatherings or a flavorful weeknight meal, this one-pot dish offers bold spices, buttery richness, and fresh seafood in every bite.
Ingredients
Seafood Mix
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined – 1 lb
- Crab legs – 1 lb
- Mussels, cleaned – 1 lb
Vegetables
- Fresh corn on the cob, cut into pieces – 2 ears
- Red potatoes, halved – 1 lb
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- Paprika – 2 tbsp
- Cayenne pepper – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Garlic powder – 1 tsp
- Dried herbs (thyme, oregano, parsley) – 1 tsp combined
- Salt – 1 tbsp
- Black pepper – 1 tsp
Garlic Butter Sauce
- Unsalted butter – 1/2 cup (1 stick)
- Minced garlic – 4 cloves
- Fresh lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped – 2 tbsp
- Lemon wedges – for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes and Corn: Start by boiling red potatoes and corn pieces in a large pot of salted water. Cook until the potatoes and corn are tender, soaking up the water and seasoning.
- Add Cajun Seasoning and Seafood: Once potatoes and corn are nearly cooked, stir in the Cajun seasoning blend into the boiling water to infuse flavor. Then add the shrimp, crab legs, and mussels, cooking until seafood is just done and tender.
- Melt Garlic Butter Sauce: While seafood cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add minced garlic and fresh lemon juice, stirring continuously until aromatic and fully combined.
- Drain and Toss: Drain the entire boil mixture well. Transfer to a large serving platter or newspaper-lined table. Drizzle generously with the garlic butter sauce and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Encourage guests to dig in for a festive and flavorful seafood feast.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood whenever possible for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcook shrimp and crab to avoid toughness.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic for the richest sauce.
- Pre-cut vegetables and shellfish to streamline cooking on the day of preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: Cajun seafood boil, garlic butter sauce, shrimp boil, crab legs, spicy seafood dish, family meal, one-pot seafood
