Why You’ll Love Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Recipe

This dish turns a simple boil into a celebration: it’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, packed with classic seafood boil flavors like Old Bay seasoning and lemon, and topped with a buttery garlic sauce that makes it irresistible.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

water
chicken broth
large onion
garlic
sugar
Old Bay seasoning
paprika
salt
lemons
small red and yellow potatoes
smoked sausage
corn on the cob
raw shrimp
cooked crab sections

Seasoned Butter Sauce:
butter
lemon juice
garlic cloves
Old Bay seafood seasoning
optional hot sauce
parsley for garnish

Directions

Bring the water, chicken broth, onion wedges, garlic, sugar, Old Bay, paprika, salt, and lemons to a boil in a large stockpot.
Add the potatoes, cut sausage, and corn to the pot. Boil for about 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are nearly fork‑tender.
While the vegetables cook, prepare the seasoned butter sauce (see below).
Add the crab and shrimp to the pot and boil for about 7 minutes until the seafood is heated through.
Drain well and remove the onion, lemons, and garlic cloves.
Spread everything on a large platter or baking sheet and brush with the seasoned butter. Garnish with fresh lemons and parsley.
Serve remaining seasoned butter on the side for dipping.

How to Make the Seasoned Butter
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in lemon juice, crushed garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and hot sauce (if using). Keep warm until ready to serve.

Servings and timing

Serves: 6 people
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~37 minutes
Total time: ~47 minutes

Variations

Cajun Style: Swap Old Bay with Cajun seasoning and add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the butter.
Add More Seafood: Include clams, mussels, or lobster tails for a more elaborate seafood boil.
Vegetarian Version: Skip the seafood and sausage and double the corn and potatoes. Add mushrooms or artichokes for variety.
Spicy Kick: Toss in sliced jalapeños or a few teaspoons of crushed red pepper with the boil.
Garlic Overload: Add more garlic to both the boil and the butter sauce for stronger flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, place the seafood and vegetables in a pot with a splash of broth or water. Cover and warm on low heat until heated through. Reheat the butter sauce separately on the stove until just melted and warm.

FAQs

How do I adjust the spice level?

To make it less spicy, reduce the amount of Old Bay seasoning or skip the hot sauce in the butter. For more kick, add extra Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to taste.

Can I use other seafood?

Yes. You can add shrimp, mussels, clams, or even lobster tails — just adjust cooking times so everything finishes perfectly.

Do I need to thaw frozen crab or shrimp?

Yes. Thaw frozen seafood in the refrigerator before boiling so it cooks evenly.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the seasoned butter ahead and refrigerate. The boil is best served fresh but leftovers refrigerate well.

What type of potatoes work best?

Small red or baby yellow potatoes are ideal because they cook evenly with the other ingredients.

Do I need a special pot?

A large stockpot (with an inner basket if available) makes boiling and draining easier, but any large pot works.

What’s the best way to serve this dish?

Traditionally, seafood boils are served family‑style on a large platter or even laid out on newspaper for a casual meal.

Can I skip the smoked sausage?

Absolutely — it’s optional. You can also use andouille or kielbasa.

What should I serve with this meal?

Coleslaw, garlic bread, or potato salad pair nicely and help soak up the flavorful butter sauce.

Is this recipe suitable for kids?

Yes — adjust the seasoning to make it milder for younger taste buds.

Conclusion

This crab boil with seasoned butter sauce is a classic, crowd‑pleasing dish that’s both satisfying and fun to prepare. With tender seafood, hearty veggies, and that rich butter sauce, it’s a meal that’s sure to impress at any gathering or cozy family dinner.