Southern-Style Seafood Boil With Garlic Butter Sauce: Crab, Lobster, Shrimp & Bold Flavor

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