There’s nothing quite like a Carolina Crab Boil — a feast that brings friends and family together around a steaming pot of seafood, corn, and spice. Popular along the Carolina coast, this dish captures the essence of Southern seaside cooking: fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a sense of community. Whether served at a summer beach gathering or a backyard get-together, the Carolina Crab Boil is more than just a meal — it’s an experience.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 pounds of fresh blue crabs (cleaned and rinsed)
• 2 pounds of large shrimp, shell-on
• 2 pounds of smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch slices
• 2 pounds of small red potatoes
• 4 ears of corn, each cut into halves or thirds
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 lemons, halved
• 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
• 1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning (or a Carolina-style seafood boil mix)
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 4 gallons of water
• Melted butter, lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pot:
   In a large stockpot, pour in the water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add Old Bay seasoning, salt, bay leaves, cayenne (if using), onion, lemons, and garlic. Let the flavors simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the broth with spice and citrus.
2. Cook the Potatoes and Sausage:
   Add the red potatoes to the seasoned water and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until they begin to soften slightly. Then add the sausage and cook for another 5 minutes to release their smoky flavor into the broth.
3. Add the Corn and Crabs:
   Gently lower the crabs into the pot. Cover and let cook for about 10–12 minutes, or until the crabs turn a bright orange-red. Add the corn pieces at this stage and continue boiling for another 5 minutes.
4. Finish with Shrimp:
   Finally, toss in the shrimp. They’ll cook quickly — about 3–4 minutes — until pink and firm. Be careful not to overcook them.
5. Drain and Serve:
   Once everything is perfectly cooked, carefully drain the pot. For a traditional Carolina-style presentation, spread layers of newspaper or butcher paper over a picnic table, and pour the entire boil right down the center. Serve immediately with bowls of melted butter, lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce.

Tips and Serving Suggestions

The key to a great Carolina Crab Boil is timing — adding ingredients in stages ensures everything cooks to perfection. You can also customize the seasoning blend to your taste; many Carolinians add extra hot sauce or a splash of beer to the broth for extra depth. Serve with plenty of napkins and cold sweet tea or beer. The best part of this dish isn’t just the food — it’s the laughter, conversation, and the shared joy of digging in together.

---

Serves: 6–8 people
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour