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Cajun Crab Boil

Cajun Crab Boil
   

A Cajun crab boil, whether at a seafood restaurant or you cook it at home there's something about the whole experience that all Cajuns love. The smells, the procedures, the stories - this recipe will go into depth on how to boil crabs yourself at home.

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A tray full of Cajun crabs and veggies waiting to be eaten
Cajun Crabs

 

 
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Around Easter is the perfect time here in South Louisiana. It's perfect timing, as it coincides with lent. In 99% of backyards in Louisiana, on a Friday, somebody is boiling seafood. Whether it be crawfish, shrimp or these delicious Cajun crabs.

These recipes can be fairly similar. There is some varieties in the vegetables though. You'll hear some funny stories about people adding some strange stuff to their seafood boil. From broccoli and cauliflower to hot dogs and eggs.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

ingredients for a crab boil (excluding the crabs)
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Garlic
  • Yellow Onions
  • Ears of Corn (fresh corn is best if you have it)
  • Mushrooms
  • Oranges
  • Lemons (this adds the needed lemon juice)
  • Smoked Sausage
  • Fresh Crabs (we enjoy blue crabs in South Louisiana)
  • Crab Boil Louisiana (Louisiana Crawfish Seasoning)
  • Cajun Seasoning (optional)

See recipe card for quantities.

These are the blue crabs we catch in the waters around where we live in Houma, Louisiana. They can get really big and the kids just love catching them.

Surprisingly, there's a really easy way to catch them using chicken necks, string and a net. Sometimes you can pull up that chicken neck and you can scoop 4-6 crabs all at the same time trying to eat on that chicken.

Good times in a great place.

an ice chest full of live blue crabs
Blue Crabs ready for a Crab Boil

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

4 images showing how to boil crabs cajun style
  • Step 1: Prepare the onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots and citrus by cutting in half or large chunks where needed and putting on a tray.
  • Step 2: On another tray prepare the ears of corn, sausage and mushrooms.
  • Step 3: To a large boiling pot full of water and seasoning (see the recipe below for seasoning quantities) add the first tray of veggies and boil for 10 minutes.
  • Step 4: Add the next tray of veggies and sausage and boil another 10 minutes.
four images showing recipe steps on how to boil cajun crabs

Step 5: Wedge the basket to allow it to drain then place in an ice chest to keep warm.
Step 6: Add more seasoning and bring the water back to the boil. Add the crabs to the basket.
Step 7: Once the water is boiling again drop the wild crab in. Boil for 8-10 minutes and turn off the fire. Soak for another 20 minutes.
Step 8: Drain by wedging again with your paddle (or whatever tool you're using to stir). Add to an ice chest to keep warm and serve on trays with the veggies, sausage and some seafood sauce 

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Boiled Shrimp - if you prefer to boil shrimp instead you can use roughly the same ingredients. Don't add the seasoning though during the boil. Just boil the shrimp for 2 minutes then turn off the heat. Add the seasoning at this point (and just half of that in this recipe, shrimp have a much thinner shell and absorb easier). Allow to soak for 5-10 minutes and remove. You'll see a little bubble appear on the back of the shrimp when it fills with the seasoning. That's a little indicator that the shrimp boil is ready.
  • Vegetables- any vegetables can be added depending on your preferences. Some popular ones are cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, green beans...
  • Eggs - Add some eggs and make boiled eggs in this delicious seasoned water. You'd be amazed at how good those eggs are.
  • Tamales - Poke a few holes in a bag with tamales and toss them in there at the end.
  • Turkey Necks - A turkey neck infused with the flavors of the crawfish boil is absolutely delicious!
  • Hot dogs - yep, I said it. Hot dogs apparently thrown in there for a minute turn into delicious food.
  • Andouille Sausage - for a little more heat and spice.
  • Old Bay Seasoning - some prefer this, but it's not too Cajun.
  • Snow Crab Legs - (or King Crab Legs) always great to add a little something extra.
  • Salt - There is a lot of salt in the Crab Boil seasoning - you really don't need to add any.
 
 

How to store leftovers

The good things about putting the Cajun crabs in an ice chest is not only for them to stay warm, but when you're done all you need do is throw some ice on them to keep for the next day.

Some people get to peeling the leftovers to keep the meat right away - we're normally tired of peeling by this point and put it off for the next day.

Once the crabs have been peeled you can add the meat to a resealable bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

 
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Ingredients

  • 3 Pounds Red Potatoes
  • 3 Pounds Yellow Onions
  • 6 Each Whole Garlic Bulbs
  • 3 Pounds Carrots
  • 3 Pounds Whole Kernel Corn
  • 16 Ounces Whole Mushrooms
  • 3 Pounds Smoked Sausage
  • 4.5 Pounds Zatarains Crab Boil Seasoning
  • 8 Ounces Liquid Lemon Shrimp and Crab Boil By Zatarains
  • 8 Ounces Liquid Garlic and Onion shrimp and crab boil By Zatarains
  • 2 Each Oranges halved
  • 2 Each Lemons halved
  • 1 Each Bushel of Blue Crabs

Instructions

  • Prepare your vegetables by cutting into halves or sections. On one tray add the potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, onions and lemons.
    3 Pounds Red Potatoes,3 Pounds Yellow Onions,6 Each Whole Garlic Bulbs,3 Pounds Carrots,2 Each Oranges,2 Each Lemons
  • On a second tray add the corn, sausage and mushrooms.
    3 Pounds Whole Kernel Corn,16 Ounces Whole Mushrooms,3 Pounds Smoked Sausage
  • Add the first tray to a boiling pot of water, seasoned with 2 cups of the crab boil seasoning and boil for 10 minutes.
    4.5 Pounds Zatarains Crab Boil Seasoning
  • Add the second tray of vegetables to the pot and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
  • Lift the basket out of the boiling pot and wedge it above the water using a paddle (or whatever you use to stir your boiling pot). Allow to drain for a few minutes then add to an ice chest to keep warm.
  • Add all the crabs to the basket. Add the remaining crab boil (liquid and dry) to the water and bring back to a rolling boil.
    8 Ounces Liquid Lemon Shrimp and Crab Boil,1 Each Bushel of Blue Crabs,8 Ounces Liquid Garlic and Onion shrimp and crab boil
  • Drop the crabs into the boiling water and continue a rolling boil for 8-10 mintues.
  • Turn off the fire and allow to soak in the water for 20 more minutes. Drain, and add crabs to the ice chest to keep warm.
  • Dish up on tray with the veggies and a seafood dipping sauce.
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