Can I use frozen seafood for a seafood boil?

Yes. Mussels and clams should be fresh but frozen lobster, crab and shrimp are great choices for a seafood boil. For best results, defrost frozen seafood in the fridge overnight.

Is frozen seafood precooked?

Frozen shrimp comes raw or pre-cooked so be sure to buy raw. Frozen crab legs are almost always precooked. To be sure, If the shell is orange or red, it's precooked. Frozen lobster claws and tails are most often pre-cooked. If the shells are a bright red color and the meat is opaque, they are precooked. TIP: Be careful not to overcook frozen seafood. If you use precooked seafood in a boil, it only needs to be heated through, so it requires very little boiling time.

Is frozen unpeeled shrimp deveined?

Yes. Look for EZ-Peel frozen shrimp. Even if the package doesn't describe the shrimp as deveined, by definition an EZ-peel shrimp is a raw shell-on deveined shrimp. There is a knife-cut along the back of the shrimp and the large intestine is removed.

What dipping sauces pair well with a seafood boil?

Popular choices include melted butter, cajun spiced butter, garlic butter, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, and garlic aioli. I have also used the chipotle aioli from this sweet potato recipe , with great results.

What pot should I use for a seafood boil?

If you're making a seafood boil for up to 6 people, you can get away with a 12-quart spaghetti pot, but if you're hosting a larger crowd, you'll need a very big pot and preferably one that includes a steamer basket. For an indoor seafood boil, you can use a 24-quart pot.

What seasonings are essential for a seafood boil?

Common seasonings include Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and lemons. And be sure to use lots of salt.

Is it possible to make a vegetarian boil?

Yes. To make a vegetarian boil, use the same broth base that you use for the seafood boil: onions, garlic, celery and spices. In addition to potatoes and corn, use plant-based sausages . Be sure to brown the sausages in a pan to firm them up before you slice them for the boil. I like to add green beans to the vegetarian boil. You can also add eggs. Give them about 10 minutes to get hard boiled.

Seafood Boil Recipe l Panning The Globe

Name: Seafood Boil Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup plain yogurt; The zest of 2 limes; 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 tablespoon capers, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; Freshly ground pepper, to taste; 4 heads of garlic; 2 large yellow onions, peeled and halved through the stem; 3 celery stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces; 4 3-ounce bags of Zatarain's Crawfish Boil Spice Mix; 1 1/2 cups Morton's kosher salt; 1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper; 2 1/2 pounds baby red-skinned potatoes; 4 lobster tails, halved lengthwise; 8 lobster claws, with "knuckles" if possible; 3 pounds small fresh clams, scrubbed (quahogs); 2 pounds large or jumbo unpeeled shrimp; 1 pound of king crab legs (or other crab legs); 2 12-ounce kielbasa sausages, cut into 3-inch pieces; 6 ears of husked corn on the cob, cut into thirds

Description

Here's how to make a delicious festive seafood boil that contains shrimp, lobster, crab legs, clams, sausages, corn and potatoes, all cooked in one big pot in a rich spicy broth.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For The Remoulade Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup plain yogurt
The zest of 2 limes
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon capers, chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the boil

4 heads of garlic
2 large yellow onions, peeled and halved through the stem
3 celery stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces
4 3-ounce bags of Zatarain's Crawfish Boil Spice Mix
1 1/2 cups Morton's kosher salt
1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 1/2 pounds baby red-skinned potatoes
4 lobster tails, halved lengthwise
8 lobster claws, with "knuckles" if possible
3 pounds small fresh clams, scrubbed (quahogs)
2 pounds large or jumbo unpeeled shrimp
1 pound of king crab legs (or other crab legs)
2 12-ounce kielbasa sausages, cut into 3-inch pieces
6 ears of husked corn on the cob, cut into thirds

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Instructions

Whisk the remoulade sauce ingredients in a bowl. This sauce can be made up to 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Slice about 1/4 inch off the top of each garlic bulb to expose some of each clove. Break the cloves apart and discard any excess skin. No need to peel them fully.
Fill a very large (24-quart) pot with approximately 10 quarts of water and set over high heat. Add spice pouches, cayenne, salt, onions, celery and garlic cloves. Squeeze lemon wedges over the pot and drop them in. Cover the pot and bring to a rolling boil.
Add the potatoes, cover and cook for 6 minutes.
Add the lobster and clams, cover and cook for 5 minutes
Add the shrimp, crab legs and sausages, cover and cook for 2 minutes
Turn off the heat, add the corn, cover and leave everything to soak for 6 minutes.
Drain the broth from the pot and pour the seafood boil out onto a large table or onto platters. Discard the spice pouches and any unopened clams. serve immediately, with a bowl of remoulade sauce on the side.

Notes

Buying Shrimp: Frozen shrimp is an excellent choice for a boil. Look for EZ-peel frozen shrimp which is raw, shell-on, deveined shrimp. Defrost it in the fridge overnight.
Buying frozen lobster tails and claws: Frozen lobster is a good choice for a boil if you don't have access to live lobsters or if you don't welcome the task of turning live lobsters into tails and claws. (Note - there is a humane way to do which can be found on youtube). Defrost frozen lobster in the fridge overnight.
Buying frozen crab legs: Frozen crab legs are a good choice for a boil. Defrost them in the fridge overnight.
What sausages are best for a boil? Look for smoked sausages that are fully cooked. Kielbasa is my first choice. Chorizo and Andouille will also work well. They should be fully cooked when you buy them.
You'll find more details and photos in the post, explaining how to host a festive seafood boil.
Nutrition Information: The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for the advice of a professional nutritionist.

Prep Time: 40 min
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Boil
Cuisine: Cajun