Learn how to prepare a mouthwatering seafood boil bag in just 30 minutes with this simple and delicious recipe. Heat resistant bags are filled with juicy crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, potatoes, corn, and more, then drenched in a tantalizing cajun butter seafood boil sauce. It’s the perfect crowd-pleasing meal for your next gathering!
Why You’ll Love This Seafood Boil Bag Recipe:
- Bursting with Flavor! The secret to the amazing taste lies in the bold, zesty crab boil sauce. Enhanced with Old Bay seasoning, cajun seasoning, fresh lemon, sweet chili sauce, and lots of butter, every bite is a delight.
- Ideal for Parties! Whether it’s a summer seafood boil in your backyard or a fun family dinner, this seafood potluck is perfect for any gathering.
- Quick and Easy! With just 15 minutes of prep work and 15 minutes in the oven, you can have a fresh seafood feast ready in no time. Plus, cleanup is a breeze!
What Exactly is a Seafood Boil Bag?
A seafood boil bag is a convenient way to cook individual servings of delectable and flavorful seafood. Succulent crab legs, crawfish, and shrimp are baked with tender potatoes, corn, and andouille sausage. Everything is coated with a homemade cajun butter seafood boil sauce to ensure finger-lickin’ goodness! When you order your favorite seafood boil bag from “Hook’d Up Bar and Grill,” it arrives in a puffed-up oven bag, filled with delicious seafood and drenched in delectable dipping sauces.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Snow crab: Sweet and savory, snow crabs are a more affordable alternative to lobster.
- Large Shrimp: Clean, peel, and devein jumbo shrimp before cooking.
- Crawfish: A delightful cross between lobster and shrimp.
- Andouille sausage: Smoked sausage is a crucial ingredient. Use beef sausage if you don’t eat pork.
- Baby Red potatoes: These cook faster than most potatoes, making them perfect for a quick meal.
- Corn on the cob: Adds sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Use fresh or frozen corn, cooking instructions remain the same.
- Large Eggs: Boiled (optional but recommended).
- Seasoning: Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning.
Seafood Boil Sauce
- Butter: Unsalted butter for controlled sodium. It forms the base of the crab boil sauce.
- Olive oil: Provides a velvety smooth texture.
- Onion: Thinly sliced.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves make a significant difference. Dice them up.
- Lemon: Citrus pairs well with seafood, adding perfect balance to this recipe.
- Chicken broth or Vegetable broth: Either can be used for added flavor, though water is also an option.
- Seasoning: A savory flavor with a hint of sweetness and a kick of spice. Includes Old Bay seasoning, paprika, chili powder, cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper (adjust for desired spice level), red pepper flakes (adjust for desired spice level), and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Sweet Chili sauce: Adds unexpected depth and flavor.
How to Defrost Seafood:
You can use frozen seafood for this recipe. Defrost the crab legs, shrimp, and crawfish prior to cooking. To defrost, place them in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can quickly defrost by placing the seafood in a large bowl (or separate bowls) and running room temperature water over them. Allow them to sit for 10-15 minutes.
How to Make Seafood Boil in a Bag:
Cook Potatoes and Corn:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder into the water.
- Once boiling, add the potatoes and corn. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Image from Hook’d Up Bar and Grill
Boil Eggs:
If desired, add boiled eggs to the boiling water for the last 7 minutes. Remove everything from the water and set aside.
Make Seafood Boil Sauce:
- While the potatoes and corn are cooking, prepare the seafood boil sauce. In a skillet on medium heat, melt one stick of butter and olive oil. Sauté the sliced or chopped onions until translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
- Stir in the garlic, sauté for 30 seconds to one minute (constantly stirring to prevent burning). Add lemon juice and all the seasonings. Adjust cayenne and red pepper for desired spiciness.
- If using additional butter, add it now. Pour in the chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water (choose one). Simmer the sauce until the butter melts and the sauce reduces slightly (approximately 10 minutes).
Prepare Seafood Boil Bags:
- Assemble the seafood bags on a baking sheet large enough to hold all 6 bags.
- Cut the sausage into thin slices. Add sausage, one cluster of crab, a handful of shrimp, and some crawfish to each bag.
- Next, add two potatoes and a corn on the cob to each seafood boil bag.
- Pour about ¼ cup of sauce into each bag, then close tightly with the ties that come with the oven bags. Save some sauce for serving.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the seafood for 15 minutes.
Image from Hook’d Up Bar and Grill
Add Final Touches:
- Peel the boiled eggs and set them aside. Remove the seafood bags from the oven. Once they’ve cooled enough to handle, remove the zip tie.
- Add a boiled egg to each seafood boil bag. Optionally, sprinkle Cajun seasoning and garlic powder over the seafood.
- Serve the remaining cajun seafood boil sauce in small bowls for dipping. Enjoy!
Pro-Tips:
- For even more variety, add mussels and lobster tails to your seafood boil bag.
- Do not use regular plastic bags or Ziploc bags. Opt for large oven bags, as they can withstand high heat up to 400°F.
- Don’t forget to have lime and lemon wedges on hand for serving.
Storing Leftovers:
Store leftover seafood boil bags in the fridge for up to 2 days. Note that they do not freeze well.
FAQ:
How do you reheat a seafood boil bag?
Place the seafood boil bag on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 325°F until warmed through. Alternatively, remove the seafood from the bags and heat it in the microwave for up to one minute.
Can I use frozen seafood for a seafood boil bag?
Absolutely! Using frozen seafood is recommended as it is frozen at peak freshness. Fresh seafood at the market is usually previously frozen and then defrosted.
Why use a bag for seafood boil?
The convenience of individual servings and easy cleanup is the main benefit of using a bag for seafood boil. Tightly wrapping the ingredients in a sealed bag helps lock in moisture, ensuring succulent results.
More Seafood Recipes to Try:
- Grilled King Crab Legs
- Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce
- Lemon Butter Baked Cod
- Cajun Pasta with Salmon
- Mofongo Recipe with Sautéed Shrimp
Be sure to tag “Hook’d Up Bar and Grill” on Instagram or Facebook when you make this recipe! We would love to see your creations and give you a shoutout! Visit Hook’d Up Bar and Grill for more great recipes and seafood delights.