FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Cajun Seafood Boil Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make A Seafood Boil
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Suggestions
• More Seafood Recipes
• Cajun Seafood Boil Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

I’ve been dreaming about this Cajun seafood boil since 2021. Funny enough, it all started on a winter break trip to Florida — where I now live, except this trip was on the Gulf coast. One late Sunday evening when many places were closed, we stumbled across this hidden gem of a restaurant that specialized so much in seafood boils that it was literally all they served. This wasn’t the type of food I expected to be my favorite, but I fell in love with the bold Cajun flavors and how juicy all the components were. And here we are: Of course I had to recreate my own seafood boil recipe at home. It’s easier than you’d think!

Why You’ll Love My Cajun Seafood Boil Recipe

• Bold Cajun flavors – My Cajun seasoning makes this dish! It’s spicy and earthy and smoky, all rolled together in the perfect bold package.
• Tender, juicy textures – The method sets my seafood boil apart from my other Cajun recipes, like Cajun shrimp and Cajun chicken . Simmering fresh seafood and vegetables in seasoned broth — not to mention a cascade of butter infused with that same liquid at the end — leaves them unbelievably juicy and flavorful. It tastes just like the one at that Cajun restaurant.
• No special equipment – All you need is a large pot. I don’t use any fancy bags for this recipe.
• Simple to make – You’ll find all you need at any grocery store, and the entire meal is ready in close to half an hour. Did I mention it’s all in one pot?
• Perfect for gatherings – My easy seafood boil recipe makes a big batch, so it’s perfect for a crowd. Sure, it looks impressive, but I love that I can serve a lot of people without much effort.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best seafood boil ingredients, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Seafood – It wouldn’t be a Cajun seafood boil without the seafood! I used fresh clams, lobster tails , and large shrimp this time, but sometimes swap the lobster with snow crab legs. You can also add scallops, mussels, or crawfish.
• Andouille Sausage – For a smoky, spicy kick. If you prefer a milder option, you can substitute it with smoked sausage or kielbasa .
• Vegetables – To make it similar to the restaurant version, I used mini red potatoes and corn on the cob. Some seafood boil recipes add celery, carrots, cabbage, or bell peppers. Just choose hearty veggies that can withstand boiling.
• Aromatics – For all the flavor! Cut an onion into wedges (any kind of onion works) and smash your garlic cloves.
• Seasonings – I make my homemade Cajun Seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, salt, oregano, thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Old Bay seasoning makes a good milder substitute. You’ll need additional salt either way, but with Old Bay I recommend using 1-2 teaspoons less, since it’s saltier to begin with. You can also just add a couple bay leaves if you want to stick with the Cajun seasoning, but I omitted them so that the ingredient list didn’t get too long.
• Lemons – Both the lemon juice and peels help flavor the broth, so grab fresh lemons.
• Water – To fill the pot.
• Salted Butter – We’ll combine it with the broth and pour over the Cajun seafood boil. If you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt to it after melting.

How To Make A Seafood Boil

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the seasoned broth. Add the water, onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt to a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil. Squeeze the lemon halves into the broth, then add in the lemon peels.
2. Cook the sausage and potatoes. After adding them, reduce the heat and simmer. They won’t cook through all the way in this step, but I give them an early start before adding the ingredients that cook faster.

1. Cook the remaining seafood and veggies. Add lobster tails and cook until almost cooked through. Stir in the corn and clams next, simmering until the corn is tender. Finally, add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp, lobster, and potatoes are all cooked through.
2. Serve with garlic butter sauce. Remove everything from the pot and arrange on a large platter. Melt the butter and whisk it with some of the seasoned broth from the pot, then pour over the Cajun seafood boil. Serve with extra lemon wedges. I like a garnish of fresh parsley, too, for a pop of color.

My Recipe Tips

• Keep the heat at a consistent simmer. Cranking it up too high can cause the delicate seafood to overcook or become rubbery, plus it gives time for the flavors to develop.
• Remove fully cooked components from the pot if needed. I timed my seafood boil recipe to try to avoid this by adding the ingredients that take longer to cook first, but times can vary depending on the size of the pieces. If you find that some are done while others need more time, you can remove the cooked parts with a slotted spoon.
• Remove the food from the pot right away. Otherwise, it will continue to cook from the residual heat and can overcook.
• Don’t have a large enough platter? A sheet pan works just as well for serving. You can even line it for easier cleanup.
• Don’t drain the leftover broth — it’s delicious! You can save it for soup recipes . Or mix with more melted butter to make extra seafood boil sauce, and drizzle it over other dishes.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. But when I know we won’t eat such a large batch, I cut the recipe in half.
• Meal prep: You can prep ahead of time by chopping vegetables, slicing the sausage, peeling the shrimp, and mixing the spices.
• Reheat: The key is to reheat low and slow, to prevent the seafood boil from drying out or overcooking. I like to do it in a covered large pot over low heat, with a little extra water, but you can also pop it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
• Freeze: I don’t love freezing this dish since its components are fairly pricy and it tastes better fresh, but you certainly can, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

What I love most about this Cajun seafood boil recipe is that it makes a complete meal on its own! It’s very rich, though, so I like to balance it with a light arugula salad or some sauteed cabbage on the side. If you like extra heat, a drizzle of hot sauce pairs nicely.

More Seafood Recipes

Ready for more easy seafood that looks impressive? Try some of my other recipes:

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Seared Scallops

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Air Fryer Lobster Tail

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 16 cups Water ▢
• 1 large Onion (cut into 6 wedges) ▢
• 6 cloves Garlic (smashed) ▢
• 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or Old Bay seasoning ) ▢
• 4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 3 medium Lemons (halved, plus more cut into wedges for serving) ▢
• 1 lb Andouille sausage (sliced into 1-inch rounds) ▢
• 1 lb Mini red potatoes (whole or halved, depending on size) ▢
• 1 lb Lobster tails (or crab legs) ▢
• 24 oz Clams (~18-20 clams; cleaned) ▢
• 4 ears Corn (halved or cut into thirds) ▢
• 2 lb Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably with tails on) ▢
• 1/4 cup Salted butter (melted) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Add the water, onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt to a large stock pot over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil. Squeeze the lemon halves into the broth, then add in the lemon peels.
2. Add the sausage and potatoes and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 8-10 minutes .
3. Add the lobster tails and cook for 4-5 minutes , until the lobster is almost cooked through.
4. Add the corn and clams, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes , until the corn is tender.
5. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3 minutes , until the shrimp, lobster, and potatoes are all cooked through.
6. Using a slotted spoon, remove ingredients from the pot (don’t dump the water yet) and arrange on a large platter.
7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and 3/4 cup of water from the pot. Pour the mixture over the seafood boil. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/8 of the entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Seafood Boil Recipe

Gratitude Moment

I can’t believe I managed to find this photo, but here are my kids back in 2021, in front of the restaurant that inspired my seafood boil recipe. They’re so little!

I’m so grateful for that trip, not only because it prompted me to make this dish — and made me realize I like Cajun food, ha! — but also because it was one of several trips in the next few years that prompted us to move to Florida. We fell in love with the warm weather and endless activities to do.

What foods did you not know you liked and were pleasantly surprised when you tried them?

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Cajun Seafood Boil

This easy Cajun seafood boil recipe recipe has a flavorful medley of lobster, clams, shrimp, corn, and more. Perfect for a get-together!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/seafood-boil/

Ingredients

• 16 cups Water
• 1 large Onion (cut into 6 wedges)
• 6 cloves Garlic (smashed)
• 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or Old Bay seasoning )
• 4 tsp Sea salt
• 3 medium Lemons (halved, plus more cut into wedges for serving)
• 1 lb Andouille sausage (sliced into 1-inch rounds)
• 1 lb Mini red potatoes (whole or halved, depending on size)
• 1 lb Lobster tails (or crab legs)
• 24 oz Clams (~18-20 clams; cleaned)
• 4 ears Corn (halved or cut into thirds)
• 2 lb Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably with tails on)
• 1/4 cup Salted butter (melted)

Instructions

1. Add the water, onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt to a large stock pot over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil. Squeeze the lemon halves into the broth, then add in the lemon peels.
2. Add the sausage and potatoes and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 8-10 minutes .
3. Add the lobster tails and cook for 4-5 minutes , until the lobster is almost cooked through.
4. Add the corn and clams, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes , until the corn is tender.
5. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3 minutes , until the shrimp, lobster, and potatoes are all cooked through.
6. Using a slotted spoon, remove ingredients from the pot (don’t dump the water yet) and arrange on a large platter.
7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and 3/4 cup of water from the pot. Pour the mixture over the seafood boil. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/8 of the entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)