Keys Seafood Boil

This flavorful seafood boil is loaded with crab, shrimp, and clams, made even better with the fresh zest of lemon, thyme, and Old Bay seasoning. Potatoes, corn, and sausage round out the dish, making it perfect for a summer feast or a cozy winter celebration. Serve it with friends and family for an unforgettable meal. 

Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 Hr Servings: 12–14 

Ingredients 

1. 6 lemons, halved 

2. 3 medium sweet onions (such as Vidalia®), quartered 

3. 6 serrano chiles, split in ½ lengthwise and seeds removed 

4. 4 heads garlic, peeled and halved 

5. 3 bunches fresh thyme, tied with string 

6. 2 ½ cups seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®), or more to taste 

7. 8 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste 

8. 8 bay leaves 

9. 4 pounds medium red potatoes, sliced in half 

10. 8 (13 ounce) packages smoked kielbasa sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces 

11. 10 ears sweet corn, halved 

12. 45 littleneck clams, scrubbed 

13. 6 pounds jumbo shrimp, deveined, tail on 

14. 4 pounds Alaskan snow crab legs (or a combination of snow crab and king crab legs) 

15. Optional: 2 pounds lobster tails, split and cleaned 

    
    

Directions 

16. 1. Prepare the broth: Fill a very large stockpot (or turkey fryer pot with a basket insert) with about 12 quarts of water, or halfway full. Squeeze the juice from the lemons into the water and toss the halves in. Add onions, chiles, garlic, thyme, seafood seasoning, kosher salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 

17. 2. Add the potatoes: Stir the potatoes into the pot and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until they're just tender. 

18. 3. Add sausage and corn: Add the kielbasa sausage and corn to the pot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring the liquid covers everything. 

19. 4. Cook the seafood: Add the clams and boil until they begin to open, about 8 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and turn off the heat. Cover the pot and let the shrimp steep in the flavors for 10 minutes. Add the crab legs (and lobster tails, if using) in the last 5 minutes and gently press them into the broth to absorb flavor. 

20. 5. Drain and serve: Carefully drain the seafood boil, reserving some of the broth for serving. Spread the shrimp, crab, sausage, clams, corn, potatoes, and onions onto a newspaper-covered table or large serving trays. You can also serve in individual seafood boil bags with a cup of broth, ½ stick of melted butter, and Old Bay seasoning on the side. 

    
    

Cook's Notes 

21. If you prefer, substitute the clams with mussels, which are a more affordable alternative but still add great flavor. 

22. Adjust the amount of seasoning based on your taste. You want a strong broth, so it can infuse into the potatoes and sausage. 

23. Adding lobster tails or snow crab will elevate the feast, but don’t skip the Old Bay seasoning—it makes all the difference! 

    
    

    

    
    

Suggestions 

This seafood boil is a crowd favorite! The added smoked kielbasa, snow crab, and lobster tails were a hit during our last family reunion. We also tried making a dipping sauce by puréeing the onions, garlic, and serrano chilies with clarified butter and Old Bay—it was a delicious twist! For a variation, try adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.