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Shrimp and Crab Boil with Broccoli

Shrimp and Crab Boil with Broccoli

This shrimp and crab boil with broccoli combines juicy shrimp, tender crab, sweet corn, baby potatoes, and broccoli with a bold garlic Cajun butter sauce. Old Bay, smoked paprika, lemon, garlic, and Cajun seasoning give this easy seafood dinner plenty of buttery, savory flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 persons
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun-Inspired, Southern
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined or shell on
  • 1 lb crab legs or crab clusters
  • 2 ears corn, cut into thirds
  • 1 lb baby potatoes
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp seafood broth or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to taste

Equipment

  • Large stockpot For boiling the potatoes, corn, crab, broccoli, and shrimp
  • Colander For draining the seafood boil
  • large skillet For making the garlic Cajun butter sauce
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula For stirring the sauce
  • Large serving tray or bowl For coating and serving the seafood boil

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the baby potatoes and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until almost tender.
  2. Add the corn to the pot and continue cooking for 5 minutes, until it begins to turn tender.
  3. Add the crab legs or crab clusters and broccoli florets. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the crab is heated through and the broccoli is bright green and tender.
  4. Add the shrimp last and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Drain the shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn, and broccoli well.
  5. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper if using, lemon juice, and broth. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Arrange the cooked shrimp, crab, corn, potatoes, and broccoli in a large serving tray or bowl. Pour the warm garlic Cajun butter sauce over everything and gently toss until well coated.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with lemon slices. This shrimp and crab boil makes an easy seafood dinner loaded with buttery garlic shrimp, tender crab, vegetables, and bold Cajun flavor.

Notes

Cook the potatoes first because they need the longest cooking time.
Add the corn once the potatoes are almost tender so both finish cooking at the right time.
Add the crab and broccoli near the end so the crab heats through without overcooking and the broccoli stays bright and tender.
Add the shrimp last and cook only until pink and cooked through.
Drain the seafood and vegetables well before adding the garlic Cajun butter so the sauce does not become diluted.
Cook the garlic briefly before adding the seasonings to keep it fragrant without burning.
Toss everything gently with the warm sauce so the crab, shrimp, vegetables, and potatoes stay intact.