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The Ultimate Seafood Boil: A Step-by-Step Guide for Your First Backyard Boil

Ultimate Seafood Boil (Easy Backyard Seafood Boil Recipe)

This Ultimate Seafood Boil is loaded with juicy shrimp, crab legs, mussels, smoky sausage, sweet corn, and tender baby potatoes, all tossed in a rich garlic butter seasoning. Perfect for family gatherings, summer cookouts, or your first backyard seafood boil, this easy one-pot recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
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Servings: 6 people
Course: Light Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound baby potatoes halved
  • 3 ears of corn cut into thirds
  • 2 pounds large shrimp shell-on (deveining optional, but easier if you do it first)
  • 1 pound crab legs or 1 pound crawfish optional, but recommended
  • 1 pound smoked sausage cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 whole lemon halved
  • 1 head of garlic halved crosswise
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 –4 tablespoons seafood boil seasoning store-bought Old Bay or Zatarain's works fine, or make your own — see below
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • Water to fill your pot about two-thirds full
For the sauce:
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons seafood boil seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 –2 teaspoons hot sauce to taste