Cajun Dungeness Crab Boil that's an absolute crowd pleaser for a large crowd, as well as a date night for two. Made with whole Dungeness crab, Lit'l smokies, corn, and red potatoes - the boil comes together in just 40 minutes using simple ingredients and one pot!
This Crab boil recipe is perfect for cooking up after your crabbing adventures, or picking up fresh crab from the market! Plus if you're a little rusty on cracking crab, here's my full guide on how to open, clean and crack your crab so you have all the tools to become a pro at in no time!
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Cajun Crab Boil
This is easily one of our go-to Dungeness crab recipes because of it's simplicity, yet always pleases the crowd. Living on the coast, we get our fair share of fresh, delicious seafood. Dungeness crab is no exception. We created this recipe shortly after moving to the coast when crabbing quickly became a rewarding family hobby.
We love a boil for hosting a crowd! We've since hosted many get-togethers using this recipe, including a ladies get-together on the coast, and our oldest son's birthday party with this massive impressive crab boil. We always pair it with a seafood boil sauce that compliments it well!
It can be pretty versatile as well. Make it your own using sausage of your choice, as well as adding other seafood or crustacean to the recipe. This makes a great date night in meal, or dinner for guests. Either way, you've got to make it!
EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED
- Cutting board. I've had this style of cutting boards for years and love having multiple lightweight options, for meals that I'm using veggies and seafood.
- Knife.
- One large pot with a strainer, or a separate colander.
- Measuring cups & Measuring spoons.
- Small bowl for mixing the seasonings.
- Crab Cracking Set with Picks. These are what we use!
CAJUN CRAB BOIL INGREDIENTS NOTES
These are our go-to ingredients to an easy and delicious Dungeness crab boil recipe. However, we do substitute them from time to time. So, feel free to substitute any of the ingredients to best fit your preference - and report back in the comments section below on how it went.
Here's What You'll Need:
- Dungeness Crab. Live is best to use. I use live Dungeness crab that we catch ourselves, as one of many family activities we enjoy on the coast. You can substitute for other crab or crab legs.
- Red potatoes. Use small or large potatoes cut in half. If you're going for an easy crab boil, then go with the baby potatoes.
- Corn on the cob. We use fresh corn, that we cut in half.
- Onion. Yellow onion preferred for strongest flavor. In a pinch, substitute for red onion, but not white onion.
- Garlic. Fresh Garlic is best for most flavor, but you can substitute it for garlic powder.
- Lit'l Smokies. Our sausage of choice is lit'l smokies because of it's simplicity. It also tends to hold it's shape and keeps all the flavor locked in. Feel free to substitute for 1 pound of another sausage. Another great option is Andouille smoked (can be spicy) or Italian Smoked, which is what we use for our Seafood Boil. I would avoid sweet sausage.
- Spices. A variety of warm spices give this dish its signature flavor. Smoked Paprika is preferred, but if you can't find it at your local store, try regular paprika.
- Other seafood: Feel free to add other seafood as you see fit. I will upload our Seafood Boil recipe soon, however, this has been our go-to recipe when we bring crab home for an easy yet memorable dinner!
ABOUT THE CAJUN SEASONING
The seasoning is the highlight in this cajun crab boil. It's a mix of warm spices, garlic, herbs and a little tang from the mustard seeds, and of course - a little kick that gives this boil it's signature Cajun flavor. The amount of seasoning gives this boil the right amount of flavor without overpowering the crab taste we love! After many trials and errors we have created the ultimate seasoning. Here it is:
- 3 tbsp smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is best to use for the smokey aspect. If you can't find it in your local store, you can substitute it for regular paprika.
- 6 tbsp Old bay seasoning. Old bay is best to use over other seafood boil seasoning since it has less sodium added.
- 1 tbsp ground cayenne or to taste. You will feel a little kick!
- 2 tbsp mustard seeds. Can be substituted for mustard powder for half the quantity.
- 1 tbsp ground coriander.
- 1 tbsp dried thyme. I love using fresh thyme. If you have some extras, it makes such a beautiful garnish!
- 1 tbsp sugar. Sugar helps round out all the salt. If you are sensitive to sugar, you can avoid adding it.
- 1 tbsp black pepper.
HOW TO EAT CRAB BOIL
This Crab Seafood Boil Recipe can be the perfect date-night-in meal idea for two with the recipe as-is. For a large crowd, double or triple the recipe depending on the number of guests. Our rule of thumb is at least half of a crab to a crab per person.
Here's what you'll need to eat a boil:
- A large pot and Outdoor Propane Burner. If you're making this outside, you will need an outdoor propane burner and a large pot with a strainer. We use a 42-qt pot with a strainer when we make this. If this might be too big for your party, try this 32-qt pot.
- Crab cracking set
- Butcher paper or newspapers
- Bucket for shells and discards
- Butter sauce cups. This will house the awesome seafood boil sauce that goes with this boil.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CRAB BOIL
We typically serve Seafood Boil as-is, or with a side of green salad. You can also serve it with baguette or sourdough. Roasted veggies are a great option as well.
HOW LONG CAN YOU STORE CRAB BOIL
Once cooked, Seafood Boil can last in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
FAQ
Make sure the crab is cleaned thoroughly, removing any barnacles or moss that may be on it. If you're using steamer clams or mussels you will need to clean them prior to cooking as well.
Yes! Feel free to add in other ingredients such as other seafood or vegetables, and even switch out the sausage. The beauty of a boil is that it can be easily altered to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
While seafood is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare some components ahead of time, such as cutting the vegetables and sausage, prepping the seasoning mix or pre-cooking potatoes. However, seafood itself is best cooked just before serving to maintain its texture and flavor.
OTHER FAVORITE CRAB RECIPES
- Crab Omelette is the perfect recipe to use up any leftover crab the next morning!
- Crab Rangoon. Crunchy and creamy! They make the best appetizer.
- Fresh Crab Tacos are light, easy to whip up, but so hard to forget. They're divine!
- Crab Pasta with tomato and lemon garlic sauce, to get your spaghetti fix in!
If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. Please share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!
Cajun Crab Boil
Ingredients
SEAFOOD BOIL SEASONING
- 3 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 6 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ground cayenne or to taste
- 2 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
FOR THE BOIL
- 2 whole Dungeness crab
- 16 oz Lit'l Smokies
- 5 ears of corn cut in half
- 5 large red potatoes cut in half
- 1 large yellow onion cut in half
- 1 large lemon cut in slices
- 5 cloves garlic cut in half
SEAFOOD BOIL BUTTER SAUCE
- 1 stick butter salted
- 1 tablespoon reserved Seafood Boil seasoning
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup reserved boil liquid
Instructions
TO MAKE THE BOIL
- In a small bowl, mix all the seafood boil spices and reserve 1 tablespoon for the butter sauce.
- Fill a large pot ⅔ of the way with water and bring to a boil. Place the onion, garlic, sliced lemon, and boil seasoning.
- Add the potatoes and cook for 20 minutes.
- Then add the crab and cook for 7 minutes.
- Then add the corn and the sausage and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Drain into a colander, reserving ¼ cup for the butter sauce.
- Pour into a shallow platter.
TO MAKE THE BUTTER SAUCE
- Melt the butter and mix in the reserved seafood boil liquid, minced garlic and seasoning.
- Pour half the sauce onto the seafood boil, reserve the other half for dipping.
- Enjoy immediately. Garnish with extra lemon slices and fresh chopped parsley is optional.
John White
We hosted our out of town friends and made this for them as a welcome to the Pacific Northwest dish and they absolutely loved it! Thank you for your simple steps!
Suzy Sakamoto
Hi John! This boil has pleased many of our crowds, I'm so happy to hear the same for you!
Jesse
Turned out so good and it was so easy to make. My family loved it and requested it the next time they come over.
Gina
We've had this a couple of times now - it's amazing!