Nothing makes me think of summer quite like diving headfirst into a traditional Cajun Seafood Boil. Topping it off with rich, buttery garlic sauce makes it even more enticing. Cajun Seafood Boil Recipe is a scrumptious meal packed with fresh seafood and veggies. Cooked in a flavorful broth of Cajun spices and aromatics. All of this hearty goodness smothered with savory garlic butter sauce makes it extra special.
You can enjoy this meal at a seafood boil restaurant by looking up seafood boil near me. It is served in a seafood boil bag. But you can also whip it up at home with ease. It only takes about an hour! To learn more about it, let’s dive into the Best Seafood Boil recipe together!
Why Seafood Boil?
Seafood boil being a low-effort but highly rewarding dish is one of its best aspects. It requires very little actual labor on your part but it does not skimp on flavor. You can also find premade seafood boil near me. This makes Cajun seafood boil perfect for entertaining large groups from the comfort of your home.
Cajun Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce: Recipe Breakdown
Ingredients:
Savory Seasoned Broth:
- Water: Key element of the broth.
- Seafood Boil seasoning: Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, Cayenne, black pepper, salt, and dried thyme.
- Lemon: For a hint of freshness to the taste buds.
- Garlic and onions: Use garlic powder if you don’t feel like chopping up a lot of garlic.
- Beer: Optional.
Seafood Boil:
- Corn on the cob: The corn cooks better if cut into thirds.
- Potatoes: Baby potatoes or red potatoes, as per your preference.
- Andouille sausage: This sausage has a subtle spicy flavor as it enriches the boil. However, other options can be used if you prefer something milder.
- Shrimps: Large shrimps are preferred as they absorb more flavor and add richness to the dish. Shrimp can be used with or without the shell.
- Crab clusters: Split-up crabs with the legs attached. You can only use crab legs as well. A few suggestions include snow crabs, king crabs, and Dungeness crabs. You can look up seafood near me.
- Mussels are an optional food item. Pre-cooked mussels work great since they don’t need to simmer as long as raw mussels do.
Note: You can look up seafood boil near me if ingredients are not available.
Garlic Butter Sauce:
- Cajun and Old Bay seasoning: Mainly used for flavor and color.
- Butter: Serves as the sauce’s foundation. Use either salted or unsalted.
- Garlic: For rich garlic flavor what’s better than to use garlic itself?
- Sugar: A slight sweetness to counterbalance the other flavors.
- Salt: As per taste.
- Reserved broth: Use less of this if you prefer a richer sauce. Use a little more if you want a thinner sauce.
- Parsley: To indulge in the earthy flavors.
- Red pepper flakes are an optional addition. Use for additional spice!
Instructions:
You would assume that cooking would take an eternity after reading the ingredient list. But in reality, you just gradually add everything to a pot and your meal is ready to dig in.
The Secret to a Good Boil:
Making the liquid as tasty as you can is the secret to a truly fantastic seafood boil. The ingredients will be flavorless without their intense taste. The key ingredient used at seafood boil restaurant is beer. It adds a little luxury to the boil broth. The mixture sings in rich notes thanks to the beer as well as a lot of spices and aromatics. If beer isn’t your thing, you can certainly still go on without it.
Preparation:
- Get the boil ready. Combine the water and beer (optional) in a large pot set over medium-high heat. The liquid mix should come to a boil. Next, season the boil with Seafood Boil seasoning. Add sliced onion, garlic, and lemon wedges to the broth. After combining, boil the mixture for 15 minutes. Reserve about 1-2 cups separately for future use.
- Stir well before adding the sausage and potatoes to the saucepan. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft to the fork.
- Include the corn and seafood. Get your hands on the best seafood near me. Place the shrimp, corn on the cob, and crab clusters in the pot. Boil the shrimp for a further 5-7 minutes, or until they are pink. Make the sauce in the meantime.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce. Melt the butter over low heat, add garlic, and simmer for about 3 minutes. Season with Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, sugar, and salt. Add 1 cup of the preserved broth, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on low heat to thicken the sauce. Add parsley and red pepper flakes for some added spice before turning the heat off. This sauce can be paired with premade seafood boil near me.
- Put together the Cajun seafood boil and sauce. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Use a spider strainer to take the seafood boil’s ingredients from the pot and transfer them to the baking sheet that has been prepared. Topped the components with garlic butter sauce. You can add hard-boiled eggs if preferred!
- You can either split the Cajun seafood boil into individual serving plates or serve it right away on the baking sheet as is. Enjoy!
Sides to complement Cajun Seafood Boil!
This seafood boil is delicious on its own but goes well with the following sides as well:
- Salad
- Mashed potatoes
- Homemade fresh garlic bread
- Fresh sautéed veggies like asparagus or broccoli are excellent additions.
Tips to Follow!
- Defrost frozen shrimp in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes before adding them to boiling water.
- Don’t cook the shrimp too long! The shrimp will become pink and start to curl when it is ready.
- Put any additional seafood you want to include in the seafood boil. You can also customize premade seafood boil near me.
- Use as many fresh ingredients as you can. You can also look up fresh seafood near me.
- Making this dish in advance is not advised; fresh out of the pot is when it tastes the finest.
- Making your own Cajun spice is a fantastic alternative if you can’t find any at hand. Paprika, 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, 2 tablespoons of dried oregano, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 2 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper make up this type of flavor blend. It can be used in the available seafood boil near me to spice it up.
- Make use of a very large pot once the liquid and ingredients have been added together.
- Any non-alcoholic beer or chicken stock are excellent alternatives to beer that are quick and simple to use.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover seafood boil tastes even better! Keep any leftovers in an airtight container, or in a seafood boil bag for up to 3 days and no more. Avoid using the microwave to heat. Add some water to a pot with the leftover seafood to boil when you’re ready to reheat.
However, the garlic butter sauce can be kept frozen for up to two months. Scoop it out and reheat it in the microwave as needed. You can look up seafood boil near me and enjoy it with this reheated sauce.
Conclusion:
Cajun Seafood Boil, with its rich flavor, makes for a perfect and quick gourmet dish. It is readily available in a seafood boil bag at gourmet seafood boil restaurants. This seafood boil recipe, with the greasiness of garlic butter sauce, will not only satiate your seafood cravings but will also make you the star of the show. You can also find seafood boil near me and stir up the savory garlic butter sauce to top it off. The next time you crave seafood boil give this recipe a go. Bon Appetite!