Grilled Seafood Boil
This grilled seafood boil combines snow crab legs, jumbo shrimp, corn, and potatoes in a rich buttery garlic lemon sauce, all cooked together on the grill for a showstopping one-pan meal.
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Tips & Notes
Pro tips
- Crack garlic cloves with the side of a knife rather than mincing—they infuse the butter more evenly and are easy to remove or eat.
- Add potatoes first (they take longest), then corn, then crab legs, and shrimp last to prevent overcooking delicate seafood.
- Use melted butter as your base and keep heat at medium-high on the grill to prevent the sauce from breaking and to achieve even cooking.
- Toast the seafood boil seasoning lightly in the butter for 30 seconds before adding ingredients to deepen its flavor.
Substitutions
- Snow crab legs → King crab or lobster tails (adjust cooking time +1-2 minutes)
- Jumbo shrimp → Sea scallops or mussels (reduce cooking time to 2-3 minutes)
- Baby potatoes → fingerling or diced russet potatoes (cut to same size for even cooking)
- Seafood boil seasoning → Old Bay seasoning or homemade blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt
Storage & make-ahead
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on low heat in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture.
Equipment
grill or grill pan · large metal skillet or grilling basket
Common Questions
Can you make this seafood boil indoors?
Yes. Use a large skillet or Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-high heat, adding ingredients in order of cooking time and stirring gently to coat everything in the butter sauce.
How do you know when crab legs and shrimp are done?
Crab legs should be heated through (about 4-5 minutes if pre-cooked); shrimp turn opaque and curl, typically done in 3-4 minutes. Avoid overcooking shrimp or it becomes rubbery.
Can you prep this seafood boil ahead of time?
Cut potatoes and corn in advance and refrigerate. Prepare the butter garlic sauce ahead. Cook seafood fresh just before serving for best texture and flavor.
What can you substitute for snow crab legs?
King crab, blue crab clusters, or lobster tails work well. Adjust cooking time based on size—larger pieces may need 1-2 minutes longer.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, if you use certified gluten-free seafood boil seasoning. Check labels on cocktail sauce and horseradish for added thickeners or gluten.
