The Ultimate Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce

If you love a meal that brings people together, this seafood boil is for you. It’s juicy, buttery, a little spicy, and packed with flavor from top to bottom.

Seafood Boil

We’re boiling corn, potatoes, sausage, crab legs, and shrimp, then pouring on a homemade garlic butter sauce that’s out of this world.

Ingredients

For the Boiling Water:

• 8–10 cups water

• 2–3 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 fresh lemon, sliced

• 1 bay leaf

Boiled Ingredients (amounts can vary):

• 4–5 small red potatoes, halved

• 2–3 ears of corn, cut into halves or thirds

• 12 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced

• 1 lb snow crab legs

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tail-on optional)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 1–2 sticks unsalted butter

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 tablespoon minced garlic

• 2 tablespoon garlic powder

• 2 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning

• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning

• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• Juice of 1 fresh lemon

• 1/4 cup of water

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Season & Boil the Water

1. In a large stockpot, add 8–10 cups of water.

2. Add Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon slices, and bay leaf.

3. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Add the Potatoes, Corn & Sausage

1. Once boiling, add halved potatoes. Cook for 10–12 minutes.

2. Add corn and sausage slices. Continue boiling for another 7–8 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and corn is bright yellow.

Step 3: Add the Crab Legs

1. Gently lower crab legs into the pot. Cover and boil for 5–7 minutes until fully heated through.

Step 4: Add the Shrimp Last

1. Finally, add shrimp to the pot. Boil for just 2–3 minutes or until they turn orange and are cooked through.

2. Turn off heat and let everything sit for a couple minutes to soak up the flavor.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3–5 minutes).

3. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant (1 minute).

4. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Creole seasoning, lemon pepper, bouillon, and brown sugar.

5. Add fresh lemon juice and stir. Let simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Finish with fresh parsley and turn off heat.

Step 6: Serve & Pour the Sauce

1. Drain your seafood boil using a colander or slotted spoon.

2. Transfer everything to a large tray, platter, or parchment-covered table.

3. Drizzle the butter sauce generously over the top, reserving some for dipping.

4. Sprinkle with extra parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon, if desired.

   

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t overcook the shrimp – they only need a couple of minutes.

• You can prep the butter sauce in advance and reheat when ready.

• Add boiled eggs or mussels for extra variety.

Enjoy!