Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce – Flavor-Packed & Easy to Make

Introduction

Nothing says celebration like a Cajun Seafood Boil! 🦀🦐🦑 Bursting with bold flavors, this dish combines succulent shrimp, tender crab legs, corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage, all tossed in a garlicky, buttery Cajun sauce. Perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or a fun weekend feast, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in the comfort of your own home.

The best part? You can make it all on one pot or sheet pan, making cleanup minimal while maximizing taste. Whether you’re a seafood lover or new to Cajun cuisine, this recipe is approachable, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying.

Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce

Flavor-packed Cajun seafood boil 🦀🦐🦑 with shrimp, crab, sausage, corn, and potatoes, coated in a garlicky, buttery Cajun sauce — perfect for parties or family feasts!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Party

Cuisine: Cajun, Seafood

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Seafood & Protein

• 1 lb large shrimp, deveined tails on
• 1 lb crab legs
• 1/2 lb smoked sausage sliced

Vegetables

• 3-4 small red potatoes halved
• 2 ears corn cut into thirds
• 1 lemon sliced
• 1 small onion quartered

Cajun Butter Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• to taste salt & pepper

Equipment

• Large pot
• Saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Tongs
• Serving platter

Method

 

1. Wash and prep seafood and vegetables. Slice sausage, potatoes, corn, onion, and lemon.
2. Boil potatoes and corn in a large pot for 10 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne (optional), salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add shrimp and crab legs to the butter sauce, tossing gently for 5–6 minutes until shrimp turn pink and crab is heated through.
5. Toss in cooked potatoes, corn, and sliced sausage. Squeeze lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with parsley.
6. Serve on a large platter or individual plates. Optional: extra lemon wedges and melted butter for dipping.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking seafood. Add extra spice if desired.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Flavor explosion – Smoky, garlicky, buttery, and perfectly seasoned.
✅ One-pot convenience – Easy prep and minimal cleanup.
✅ Customizable – Add your favorite shellfish or vegetables.
✅ Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for parties, game day, or family feasts.
✅ Quick prep – Ready in under an hour.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Seafood & Protein:

• 1 lb large shrimp, deveined and tails on
• 1 lb crab legs
• 1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced

Vegetables:

• 3–4 small red potatoes, halved
• 2 ears corn, cut into thirds
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 small onion, quartered

Cajun Butter Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the seafood & vegetables: Wash and pat dry shrimp and crab legs. Slice sausage, potatoes, corn, onion, and lemon.
2. Boil the potatoes & corn: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add potatoes and corn; cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Cajun butter sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Cook the seafood: Add crab legs and shrimp to the butter sauce, tossing gently for 5–6 minutes until shrimp turn pink and crab is heated through.
5. Combine with vegetables & sausage: Toss cooked potatoes, corn, and sliced sausage into the buttered seafood. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with parsley.
6. Serve: Pour everything onto a large platter or spread over a newspaper-lined table for a classic seafood boil presentation. Serve with extra lemon wedges and melted butter for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Spicy or mild: Adjust cayenne or Cajun seasoning to your preferred heat level.
• Extra seafood: Add lobster tails, clams, or mussels for variety.
• One-pot version: Boil potatoes and corn in a large pot, then add seafood and sausage to the same water along with the seasonings.
• Serving suggestion: Serve with crusty bread or garlic butter rice to soak up the sauce.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the seafood and vegetables separately, then toss with the sauce before serving. Best served fresh for optimal flavor.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Seafood can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze only the vegetables separately. Reheat gently to prevent overcooking the shrimp or crab.

What can I substitute for crab?
Lobster, clams, or extra shrimp work well if crab isn’t available.

Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 3g