A Classic Seafood Boil With Bold Garlic Butter Sauce You’ll Want to Pour on Everything
Few dishes bring people together like a good seafood boil—and Briangelecooks delivers a flavorful Southern-style version that’s loaded with crab, shrimp, lobster, and buttery spice. Whether you’re serving this for a summer backyard hangout or a Sunday spread, this boil hits hard with both flavor and nostalgia.
The sauce? A garlicky, paprika-kissed butter blend packed with lemon pepper, Old Bay, Creole seasoning, and just a touch of sweetness. You’ll want to sop up every last drop.
Ingredients
For the Seafood Boil:
- 1 crab boil seasoning bag
- 1½ capfuls crab boil liquid concentrate
- Shrimp (fresh or frozen, shell-on recommended)
- Snow crab clusters
- Lobster tails, split
- Red potatoes, halved
- Russet or golden potatoes, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, halved
- Sweet corn, halved or left whole
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Seafood
- Fill a large stockpot with water.
- Add the crab boil bag, crab boil liquid, onion, and lemon. Bring to a boil.
- Add potatoes and corn first—boil until just fork-tender (about 10–15 minutes).
- Add crab clusters, lobster tails, and shrimp.
- Boil everything together until seafood is fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes more).
- Drain and transfer to a large tray or pan.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and sauté until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add all remaining seasonings:
- Lemon pepper
- Paprika
- Old Bay
- Brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
- Creole seasoning
- Onion powder
- Stir well to combine and simmer on low for 5–10 minutes.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
- Pour the hot butter sauce over the drained seafood and veggies.
- Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread, lemon wedges, and extra napkins!
Pro Tips and Serving Suggestions
- Use shell-on shrimp for maximum flavor in the boil.
- Want it saucier? Reserve some sauce for dipping or drizzle extra over the final tray.
- Add boiled eggs or sausage to stretch the boil for more people.
- Leftover butter sauce can be used on pasta, roasted veggies, or cornbread.
- Serve on a newspaper-lined table for that authentic boil experience.
About the Creator
This crowd-pleasing seafood boil is brought to you by @briangelecooks, a home cook and food creator known for big, bold flavors and comforting Southern-style meals. From soul food classics to seafood favorites, Brian serves dishes that taste like home—on a whole new level.
Follow @briangelecooks on Instagram
Briangelecooks | @briangelecooks