In the realm of seafood boils, crab reigns supreme, captivating taste buds with its succulent flesh and alluring aroma. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure with our comprehensive guide to the art of crab boils, featuring a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your senses. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of crab boils, where Cajun, Old Bay, and Chinese-inspired recipes dance on your palate, offering a diverse range of taste sensations. Discover the secrets to selecting the freshest crabs, the perfect combination of seasonings, and the delicate balance between cooking time and tenderness. From classic methods to contemporary twists, our collection of crab boil recipes caters to every taste and skill level. Get ready to gather your loved ones around a steaming pot of crab, where laughter, stories, and unforgettable memories are made.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CRAB BOIL
Total crab boil for four.
Provided by Preston Hoover
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Sausage
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add potatoes, sausages, onions, corn, and seafood seasoning. Cook mixture at a boil until the potatoes are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
- Gently drop crabs into the boiling mixture; cook until the crabmeat is cooked through, at least 10 minutes. Drain water.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.6 calories, Carbohydrate 46.2 g, Cholesterol 82.5 mg, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 9.3 g, Protein 34.1 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 4890.1 mg, Sugar 12.2 g
KING CRAB AND SHRIMP BOIL
My own adaptation of frogmore stew. An easy southern comfort dish...just throw it all in the pot! Serve in large bowls as a stew. Peel shrimp and crab as you eat.
Provided by kenzie02m
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Seafood
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a large stewing pot; add seafood seasoning. Cook potatoes in the seasoned water for 15 minutes.
- Bring a separate pot of water to a boil; add seafood seasoning to taste. Cook crab legs until meat is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Mix carrots, celery, and onions into potatoes; cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add sausage and corn and continue boiling for 5 minutes more. Add shrimp and transfer crab legs to same pot; cook until shrimp are cooked through and pink, 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 982.7 calories, Carbohydrate 47.6 g, Cholesterol 578.3 mg, Fat 47.3 g, Fiber 6.8 g, Protein 90.6 g, SaturatedFat 13.8 g, Sodium 3649.5 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
ZATARAIN'S COPYCAT CRAB BOIL MIX
Zatarains was the real thing and boxes of it were found in just about every home in New Orleans. We also like to add 2-3 lemons, quartered, to the water. This is enough for 5lbs shrimp or a dozen blue swimmers.
Provided by omeomy 2
Categories Cajun
Time 15m
Yield 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients well, crushing slightly. Place all on a muslin or cheesecloth square, gather corners and tie securely.
- When the water for the seafood is boiling add the crab boil sachet along with plenty of salt. Continue boiling until the water takes on color before adding seafood.
CRAB BOIL
Steps:
- In a small stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the artichokes, sausage and onions until lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Add 12 cups (3 quarts) water, the potatoes, crab boil spice mix, salt, hot sauce, pepper, bay leaves and jalapenos. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the corn and cover. Cook until the corn is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the crab and cook about 7 minutes. Strain the boil through a colander. Plate immediately on a large serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onions or your favorite fresh herb. Serve with the Garlic Bread.
- Position an oven rack in the top of the oven and preheat the broiler.
- In a small bowl, mix the butter together with the Parmesan, parsley, garlic and scallions; add hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Spread the butter mixture on both halves of the baguette. Place on a sheet pan and toast under the broiler, about 2 minutes.
CAROLINA CRAB BOIL
This pot is a fun way to feed a crowd for a tailgate. You can serve it two ways: Drain the cooking liquid and pour out the pot on a paper-lined table so folks can dig in, or serve it as a stew in its liquid over hot rice. -Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown sausage. Stir in broth, water, beer, seafood seasoning and bay leaves. Add vegetables; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender., Add crab; heat through. Drain; remove bay leaves. Transfer to a serving bowl; season with pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 2206mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 40g protein.
CRAB AND SHRIMP BOIL PASTA
Sweet corn, salty sausage, zesty shrimp, creamy potatoes and butter for dipping - a crab boil has everything you want in a meal. But unless you're a pro at cracking crab legs, it can be a challenge. Instead, capture those same flavors with this seafood pasta, which uses lump crab meat and this speedy sheet-pan shrimp boil. Get the shrimp boil into the oven, then immediately start preparing this recipe. (If the shrimp boil is done early, just cover it with aluminum foil until ready to add.) In the end, it all comes together in a big, shareable dish.
Provided by Millie Peartree
Categories dinner, pastas, seafood, main course
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
- As the water heats, in a Dutch oven or pot, sear sausage in oil over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the sausage browns, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate to drain, and discard pan drippings.
- Add butter to the pot. When it melts, add garlic and sauté until fragrant. (Be careful not to burn the garlic.)
- Stir in broth, and add seafood seasoning, Cajun seasoning, red-pepper flakes and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook about 5 minutes, then taste and adjust for seasonings. Set aside 1/2 cup garlic broth for serving.
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add crab meat to the broth and gently stir until heated through. Add pasta and toss with tongs until evenly coated. Pour pasta into large serving bowl, then top with sausage and the sheet-pan shrimp boil. Drizzle the reserved garlic broth on top of the mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
SEAFOOD (CRAB, SHRIMP AND LOBSTER) BOIL AND HOW TO OPEN AND EAT
This was fun. This is our 5th summer having this. Of course it 's always different! This year my DS 's Lydia brought the lobster, and Theresa brought the Dungeness crabs as well as regular crabs. This is made in those outdoor boiler-fryers. But I won 't stop you from making it on your stove top. We covered the table with plastic tablecloths then covered it with brown paper (paper used for wrapping packages). And of course you can cut down the recipe. Just leave the first 8 ingredients as is then add whatever and amount of seafood you 'd like. Don 't forget the bibs or aprons and nutcrackers, hammers, small mallets, nut picks and paper towels. Oh an empty large foil pan or a trash can for discarding the shells. Don't forget plenty of beer! Crawfish and mussels would be great in this too. Check out the step X step demo of this http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=225384
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Crab
Time 1h
Yield 20-24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a very large outdoor boiler/fryer or in a very large pot heat first 9 ingredients. Using half the water and adding as you need it so food is completely submerged with an extra 2-4 inches to cover.
- When it comes to a boil lower heat to medium high and add sausages cook 3 minutes add potatoes cook for 8 minutes add corn and Dungeness crabs cook for 4 minutes and follow with rest of the crabs cooking for 7 minutes. There should be enough water so that the crab is completely submerged.
- Strain into a large pot or bowl set aside and cover.
- If needed add more beer or water into the cooking liquid.
- Add lobster into pot and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add clams for 1 minute add shrimp for 3-4 minutes, toss.
- Dump and Serve on table covered with brown paper with melted butter, lemon, salt, and cocktail sauce.
- Open a lobster-- To open a boiled or steamed lobster.
- Break off large claws; separate tail from body; take body from shell, leaving "lady" or stomach on shell.
- Put aside green fat and coral; remove small claws; remove woolly gills from body, break later through middle and pick out meat joints.
- Cut with very sharp scissors through length of underside of tail, draw meat from shell,yum.
- Draw back flesh on upper end and pull off intestinal cord.
- Break edge of large claws and remove meat.
- Enjoy!
- For the Crab--.
- Twist off the legs and claws, take the mallet, and have fun gigging out the meat with forks or picks.
- Pry off the crabs "apron," the small flap on the underside, and discard it.
- Next, with the crab upside down, press down on one side of the top shell and pull up on the center and leg sections with the other hand until they come apart, discard top shell. Also, discard the intestine, which runs down the center of the back.
- Remove the gills (NOT EDIBLE) from each side and discard.
- The greenish yellow "mustard." Of course, it's not really mustard (it is the crustacean's equivalent of a liver). Many do eat it, but probably as many just toss it.
- The "crab butter" (the yellow, mushy stuff in the cavity. Is consider a delicacy and there are recipes that call for them. So, set them aside if you like. If not discard.
- Snap crab body in half.
- The edges where the two halves have broken open are where you'll find the biggest chunks of crabmeat. Pull it out with your fingers. As you dig deeper into the body closer to the leg openings, a knife or pick comes in handy. There are smaller cavities here, which should not be overlooked.
- To Crack claws either use a mallet or a nutcracker. A mallet is fairly self-explanatory but look out for flying bits of shell and juice.
- Before you roll up the mess in the paper, carefully check that no utensils or, even worse, a stray uneaten claw gets thrown away by accident.
- Be sure to put the garbage bags in tightly sealed cans to keep animals out. Even if you wash your hands thoroughly with soap the smell of crabs and Old Bay may linger for a day. Rubbing lemon juice mixed with baking soda on your hands will remove this odor.
DUNGENESS CRAB BOIL
Steps:
- In a large pot, combine first four ingredients with enough water to submerge crabs. Do not submerge crabs at this point. Bring liquid to a simmer and add crabs headfirst to water. Cook the 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-pound crabs about 15 minutes, and the 3-pound crabs about 20 minutes. Strain cooked crabs into a colander and rinse briefly under cool water. Serve with Drawn Butter, Tarragon Aioli and Aioli with Piment d'Espelette.
- In a small pan over low heat, melt butter and skim any solids that rise to the top. Pour butter into ramekins for use tableside, leaving behind any milk solids that have settled to the bottom of the pan.
- In the base of a blender or food processor, whirl garlic cloves, tarragon leaves and egg yolk to create a creamy blend. Add lemon zest and juice and blend again. With machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil to create an emulsified, creamy consistency. Avoid adding oil too quickly or vinaigrette will separate. Add a teaspoon of water when emulsion becomes tight and then continue to add oil. Season to taste with salt and fresh pepper.
- Place garlic, lemon juice, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process to combine. Add egg and, with the motor running, slowly add oils until mixture is thickened and emulsified. Stir in piment d'Espelette and refrigerate.
CRAB AND SHRIMP BOIL WITH NEW POTATOES
Steps:
- Bring the water to a boil in a very large stockpot. Add the Old Bay, salt, garlic, chile flakes and parsley and boil for 10 minutes to infuse. Add the potatoes and cook another 10 minutes. Add the crabs; cook 10 minutes more, or until the crabs are cooked through. Carefully remove the crabs with tongs; then add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until just opaque. Drain immediately. Serve the crab, shrimp and potatoes with melted butter, toasted bread and lemon wedges.
HOT CAJUN-STYLE CRAB BOIL
A trip to Avery Island, La., the home of Tabasco sauce, inspired this Jacques Pépin recipe from 1994. A few years earlier, Paul McIlhenny, the fourth generation of his family to produce the hot sauce, served Mr. Pépin and his wife a bountiful crab boil. " People helped themselves," Mr. Pépin wrote, adding, "We washed the banquet down with plenty of cold beer." Here, he substitutes blue crab for crawfish, and kielbasa for the hot Cajun sausage. But whatever you use, keep Mr. Pépin's recommendation and have a beer alongside.
Provided by Jacques Pepin
Categories dinner, one pot, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place 2 gallons of water and the crab-boil seasoning in a large stockpot, cover and bring to a boil. (Note: This can be done a few hours ahead, set aside and brought back to a boil at serving time to intensify the stock flavor.) Add salt to taste.
- Add the onions and potatoes to the boiling stock, cover and bring the stock back to a boil. Boil gently for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, rinse the crabs well in a sink filled with cold water. Using metal tongs, lift the crabs from the sink, and after discarding any dead or smelly crabs, add them to the stockpot with the sausage and garlic. Bring the mixture back to a boil, and boil gently for 5 minutes.
- Add the corn, and bring the mixture back to a boil. Then, turn off the heat, and let the pot sit (up to 1 hour) until serving time.
- At serving time, drain off the stock, and arrange crab boil ingredients separately on a large platter. Serve with the hot mayonnaise (see following recipe), if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1075, UnsaturatedFat 27 grams, Carbohydrate 123 grams, Fat 48 grams, Fiber 15 grams, Protein 51 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 2024 milligrams, Sugar 24 grams, TransFat 1 gram
DELAWARE BLUE CRAB BOIL
Dig into these Delaware blue crabs boiled in exotic spices. Add your favorite veggies, and treat yourself to a wonderfully delicious crab feast!
Provided by IMANKAY
Categories Main Dish Recipes Seafood Main Dish Recipes Crab
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Crush the dill seed, mustard, and cumin in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Pour the spices into a 5 gallon stockpot along with the chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, rosemary, thyme, dill, sage, and parsley. Fill the pot 3/4 full with water, and bring to a rolling boil over an intense flame.
- Add the blue crabs, cover the pot, and boil until all of the shells turn red, and the meat is no longer translucent, about 20 minutes. Stir the crabs occasionally as they boil to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 138.6 calories, Carbohydrate 7.6 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Fat 4.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 264.1 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
DUNGENESS CRAB BOIL
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area every November brings crab season and something I look forward to each year. Many people buy crab pre-cooked, however they are so easy to cook yourself and it really is the only way to know that you have a truly fresh crab. Dungeness Crab is one of the best tasting crabs I've eaten. I like it...
Provided by Lou Kostura
Categories Seafood
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. add water, salt and old bay to a large stock pot and bring to hard boil ( i use a 24 quart pot )
- 2. drop crab and return to a boil
- 3. boil 15 minutes, remove, let cool to touch. clean, crack and serve with lemon and butter. I prefer mine cold with a nice salad and a San Francisco sour dough baguette.
CRAB BOIL POTATO SALAD
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Mix 1/2 cup each corn and chopped celery, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay. Toss with 2 pounds boiled cubed red potatoes and 1 cup crabmeat.
CRAB-BOIL SLIDERS WITH HOMEMADE COLESLAW
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories main-dish
Time 2h29m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the andouille, celery, red onion and Fresno chile and cook until softened and any liquid is evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and seafood seasoning. Cook until the garlic is cooked through and the seafood seasoning toasts slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until the wine is completely reduced, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely, about 10 minutes.
- Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the crabmeat, breadcrumbs and cooled andouille mixture. Toss to combine; the mixture should hold together when you squeeze it. Using a 1/4 cup measure, form the crab mixture into crab cakes using the size of your slider bun as a guide for width. Transfer the formed cakes to a baking sheet. Refrigerate the crab cakes 1 hour.
- In a large saute pan or on a double-burner griddle, toast the slider buns until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Working in batches, cook the crab cakes until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 2 minutes per side, adding more butter as needed.
- Serve each crab cake on a toasted slider bun topped with the Coleslaw.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, seafood seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the coleslaw mix and corn and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
CRAB-BOIL POTATOES
I first tried these delicious little potatoes while in New Orleans but did not think to get a recipe. I have adapted this recipe to match the taste as best I can. They are somewhat adaptable, you can adjust the spice level to your own preference - these are what I would consider a medium level (I ususally use a bit more spice b/c I like things spicy!)
Provided by Kerry G
Categories Potato
Time 10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Place the potatoes (I like mine cut up but you could keep them whole) in a pot and add just enough water to cover the potatoes. Add the crab boil.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil then add Tony Chacheres (or salt) and the hot sauce.
- Allow the potatoes to boil until they are fork-tender (5-10 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes and whether you cut them or left them whole).
- Drain the potatoes and allow them to sit for 5 minutes or so.
- You can serve these hot, or allow them to cool (the flavor gets stronger as they cool) and serve them at room temperature.
CRAB BOIL SPICES
Make and share this Crab Boil Spices recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Candie Yoder
Categories Crab
Yield 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Pulsing, process until the mixture forms a coarse powder.
- For cooking shrimp, add 1/4 cup of the spices, along with 2 teaspoons salt, to a large saucepan of boiling water or half water and half beer.
- For lobster or crab, use 1 part distilled white wine to 3 parts water.
- Add the seafood and cook for 2 minutes, or until just cooked through.
- Remove the seafood and serve or chill.
LOWCOUNTRY SHRIMP & CRAB BOIL
Steps:
- 1. Bring water and seasoning to a boil 2. Add potatoes and cook 15 minutes 3. Add Sausage and cook for 3 more minutes. 4. Add Corn and cook for 5 minutes 5. Add Crab Legs and cook for 3 minutes 6. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes(3 minutes if shrimp are large). Be very careful not to overcook shrimp. 7. Drain immediately and serve
Tips:
- Choose the right crab. Blue crabs, Dungeness crabs, and snow crabs are all popular choices for crab boils. Make sure the crabs are live and healthy before cooking them.
- Prepare the crabs properly. Clean the crabs by removing the intestines and gills. You can also remove the claws and legs if you want to make it easier to eat the crab.
- Season the crabs generously. Use a variety of seasonings, such as Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper. You can also add garlic, onion, and celery to the pot for extra flavor.
- Boil the crabs in a large pot. Make sure the pot is large enough to hold all of the crabs without overcrowding them. Bring the water to a boil, then add the crabs. Boil the crabs for 8-10 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
- Serve the crabs with melted butter and lemon wedges. You can also serve them with corn on the cob, potatoes, and other sides.
Conclusion:
A crab boil is a delicious and easy-to-make seafood feast that is perfect for any occasion. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a crab boil that will impress your friends and family. Just be sure to choose fresh crabs, season them generously, and boil them until they are cooked through. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the feast!
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