Name: Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 37 min
Total time: 47 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 gallons water; 2 quarts chicken broth; 1 large onion, cut into wedges; 8 garlic cloves, whole and peeled; ½ cup sugar; ¼ cup Old Bay Seasoning; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon salt; 2 lemons, halved (plus more for garnish if desired); 4 pounds small potatoes (red and yellow); 24 ounces smoked sausage, cut; 6 corn cobs, halved; 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled with tails on; 4 Dungeness crab sections, cooked; 1 cup butter (2 sticks); 1 lemon, juiced; 4 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 teaspoon Old Bay seafood seasoning; Hot sauce, optional (a few dashes or to taste); Fresh parsley, for garnish

There is nothing quite like gathering around a big, steamy spread of fresh seafood and fixings, and this Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe delivers exactly that kind of joyful experience. A crowd-pleaser that marries sweet crab, tender shrimp, smoky sausage, and vibrant veggies all soaked in a flavorful broth, then finished off with a rich, garlicky butter sauce that urges you to dive right in. Whether it’s a weekend celebration or a special family dinner, this dish brings warmth, comfort, and a burst of southern charm to your table like no other.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows fresh seafood and ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. In the center, there are bright orange crab clusters with creamy white inside. To the right, there is a clear glass bowl filled with raw white shrimp. Near the top left corner, there is a large yellow onion and two bright yellow lemons. Above them, there are two green corn ears with husks still attached. Also on the left side, there are three potatoes of brown and purple shades. In the top right area, there are seasoning packets in red, green, and white colors with visible text and logos. A block of pale butter is placed on the far left side. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe is in its simplicity and balance. Every ingredient plays a crucial role: the chicken broth and Old Bay seasoning create a bold, savory base; potatoes and corn add hearty texture and sweetness; while the garlic-laden butter sauce ties everything together with creamy indulgence.

2 gallons water: The perfect amount to create a flavorful boil and cook all your seafood and sides evenly.
2 quarts chicken broth: Adds deep richness and umami to the boiling liquid.
1 large onion (cut in wedges): Infuses subtle sweetness and aromatics during the boil.
8 garlic cloves (whole and peeled): Contributes essential savory depth to the broth.
½ cup sugar: Balances the spices with a touch of sweetness.
¼ cup Old Bay Seasoning: A signature blend that brings classic seafood boil flavor.
1 tablespoon paprika: Adds warmth and a mild smokiness.
1 tablespoon salt: Essential for seasoning both the broth and the seafood perfectly.
2 lemons (halved plus more for garnish): Brightens the boil with citrusy zing.
4 pounds small potatoes (red and yellow): Provides tender, colorful bites that soak up the broth.
24 ounces smoked sausage: Introduces hearty, smoky flavors that complement the seafood.
6 corn cobs (halved): Adds sweetness and a fun texture contrast.
1 pound shrimp (raw, peeled, tail-on): Delivers juicy, succulent seafood goodness.
4 Dungeness crab sections (cooked): The star of the show, with sweet, tender meat.
1 cup butter (2 sticks): The base of the luscious seasoned butter sauce.
1 lemon (juiced): For a fresh, zesty note in the butter sauce.
4 garlic cloves (crushed): Intensifies the buttery sauce with bold flavor.
1 teaspoon Old Bay seafood seasoning: Adds that signature seafood seasoning to the butter sauce.
Hot sauce (optional, a few dashes or to taste): Gives the sauce an exciting kick.
Parsley (for garnish): A fresh, green finish to brighten each bite visually and taste-wise.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Flavorful Boiling Broth

Start by bringing water, chicken broth, wedges of onion, whole peeled garlic cloves, sugar, Old Bay Seasoning, paprika, salt, and halved lemons to a rolling boil in a large stockpot. This aromatic liquid is the heart of the boil, infusing every ingredient you’ll add later with layers of savory, zesty goodness. Let it bubble for 10 minutes to fully develop those flavors.

Step 2: Cook the Potatoes, Sausage, and Corn

Next, add the small potatoes, cut smoked sausage, and halved corn cobs to your simmering broth. Boil these together for about 15 to 20 minutes, keeping an eye on the potatoes to ensure they reach just the right fork-tender texture without becoming mushy. This step builds the foundation of the feast and allows the sausage and corn to soak up all that delicious seasoning.

Step 3: Add Crab and Shrimp

Once your potatoes and sausage are nearly perfect, toss in the cooked Dungeness crab sections and raw peeled shrimp with tails on. Boil everything together for 7 minutes so the shrimp cooks through and the crab warms perfectly without drying out. The timing here ensures each seafood element remains tender and juicy.

Step 4: Drain and Layer the Boil

Carefully remove your pot from heat and drain the entire boil well. Discard the onion wedges, lemon halves, and garlic cloves from the broth as they have done their job. Spread the potatoes, sausage, corn, crab, and shrimp over a large serving tray or baking sheet, ready to be drizzled with that incredible seasoned butter sauce.

Step 5: Craft the Seasoned Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter slowly until golden and smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice, crushed garlic, Old Bay seafood seasoning, and hot sauce if you want a little extra heat. Keep this warm so it’s perfectly luscious and ready to brush over your crab boil just before serving, with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Brush the warm seasoned butter generously over the entire spread, ensuring every bite gets a hint of that garlicky, buttery magic. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges to brighten the table and add a pop of freshness to each plate.

How to Serve Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe

The image shows a large silver pot with holes inside, filled with cooked seafood and other ingredients in broth. There are bright orange crab claws and body parts floating around the pot, with pale pink shrimp curved on top and mixed throughout. Under the seafood, you can see pieces of yellow corn on the cob and large white onion segments partly submerged in the light brown liquid. The pot itself is shiny metal with many round holes on the sides, and the scene is set against a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh parsley sprinkled on top not only adds eye-catching color but also a subtle herbal note that complements the rich seafood and buttery sauce perfectly. Serve with extra lemon wedges to squeeze over for a lively dash of acidity that cuts through the richness and keeps your palate refreshed.

Side Dishes

To round out the feast, consider light, crisp sides like a green salad with a citrus vinaigrette or a crunchy coleslaw. Cornbread or crusty bread also pairs wonderfully, helping to soak up every last drop of that seasoned butter sauce you won’t want to waste. These accompaniments keep the meal balanced and satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun and festive presentation, spread your crab boil ingredients out on a newspaper-covered table or a large communal platter that invites everyone to dig in family-style. You can also serve in individual bowls lined with lettuce leaves to add a fresh crunch and make cleanup easier. Don’t forget plenty of napkins and seafood crackers at the ready!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any leftovers quickly and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Seafood dishes like this are best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days for optimal freshness and flavor. Keep the seasoned butter sauce separate to reheat gently before serving again.

Freezing

While freezing seafood boils is possible, it is generally not recommended as the texture of shrimp, crab, and potatoes may degrade. If you must, freeze the shrimp and crab before cooking and thaw properly before boiling fresh following the recipe steps. The seasoned butter sauce can be frozen separately and thawed gently.

Reheating

To reheat, warm leftovers gently in a covered skillet or saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep ingredients moist. Reheat the seasoned butter sauce slowly so it doesn’t separate and then pour it over the reheated boil for that fresh, indulgent flavor hit.

FAQs

What type of crab works best for this recipe?

Dungeness crab is ideal here because of its sweet, tender meat and substantial size. However, you can also use blue crab or snow crab legs depending on what’s available. Just be sure your crab is cooked before adding it to the boil.

Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

It’s best to use raw shrimp for this recipe to avoid overcooking. Adding raw shrimp during the last 7 minutes of boiling ensures they remain tender and juicy, perfectly complementing the crab and other ingredients.

How spicy is this boil?

This Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe has a balanced flavor profile with a gentle kick from the Old Bay seasoning and optional hot sauce. You can easily adjust the heat level to your preference by varying the amount of hot sauce or adding fresh chili flakes.

Can I make this dish for a smaller group?

Absolutely! Just scale the ingredient quantities down proportionally. The step-by-step process stays the same, ensuring you still get that incredible mix of flavors and textures regardless of how many you’re feeding.

What is the best way to enjoy the seasoned butter sauce?

Brush the sauce generously over the boil ingredients just before serving to coat everything in rich, garlicky goodness. Keep extra sauce in small bowls for dipping seafood and veggies—it elevates every single bite to something truly irresistible.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a meal that’s equal parts festive, flavorful, and downright comforting, this Crab Boil with Seasoned Butter Sauce Recipe is a must-try. It effortlessly brings people together over a feast that’s as vibrant in taste as it is in atmosphere. Go ahead, gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and dive into every buttery, garlicky, perfectly seasoned bite.