Planning a seafood boil? Lucky you! You're in for a good (and tasty) time. The key to a great seafood boil is in the seasoning. Whether it's your first boil and you're not sure where to start or you're a seafood boil veteran just looking for some new ideas, check out our tips below.
What's in a seafood boil?
In addition to its namesake (boiled seafood; think: shrimp, crab legs, crawfish), seafood boils traditionally include sausage and starchy vegetables like corn on the cob and potatoes. The veggies absorb the spices the seafood is boiled in and make a great sidekick to the meal. The meats and vegetables in a seafood boil can be adjusted to meet any preferences. We recommend going with any type of smoked sausage and you can experiment with which vegetables you use. For example, try chayote squash or zucchini if you're looking for something other than corn and potatoes. The only things you really can't do without are the spices and the seafood itself!
What spices do I use?
Many people stick with pre-made seafood boil seasonings. When going that route, we recommend tossing in some fresh lemon, garlic, and extra cayenne pepper to jazz it up.
When mixing up your own seasoning, we encourage experimentation! Below is a list of key ingredients most often used seafood boil seasonings (though not necessarily all at once!). You'll need to use a blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle to grind your spices together into a coarse powder. To kick start your experimenting, check out these crab boil spice mix and shrimp boil spice mix recipes.
Seafood Boil Seasoning Key Ingredients
- Bay leaves
- Cayenne pepper
- Celery seeds
- Cloves
- Coriander seeds
- Dried chives
- Dried oregano
- Garlic
- Mustard seeds
- Pickling spices
- Red pepper flakes
- Sea salt
- Smoked paprika
Anything else?
Many folks also enjoy dipping their boiled seafood. We recommend serving a cocktail sauce using your favorite hot sauce. Or, if you're in a rush to get that seafood in your belly (we can relate), just melt some butter, add some lemon and garlic seasoning, and start eating!
Of course, make sure to always start with the best king crab and seafood. Enjoy!
