Seafood boils are an iconic American culinary tradition, reflecting the fresh-catch favorites of the coastal regions where they originated. Across the country, each region boasts its own unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques, creating a rich tapestry of seafood boil variations. From the Northeastern shores to the Gulf Coast, these beachside feasts celebrate the bounty of the sea and the cultural heritage of their communities.
The mighty seafood boil presents a delectable one-pot meal best enjoyed on a sandy stretch of beach or a blissful oceanfront setting, served on a picnic table over layers of newspaper and tons of napkins. Steamed to perfection, these versatile meals combine succulent seafood like lobster, clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, and crab mixed with sausage, corn on the cob, red potatoes, shallots, lemons, and a robust blend of herbs and spices. And don’t forget the melted butter for dipping if you so desire. The cooking style is casual, and the cleanup is carefree. So join us on our journey as we explore six quintessential seafood boils, each representing a distinct coastal region from shore to shore.
New England Clambake
Originating in the Northeast, the New England Clambake offers an iconic dish that combines clams, mussels, corn on the cob, red potatoes, and shallots, all steamed in a pot, creating a savory and brothy meal. This modern recipe offers a shortcut, but for a truly authentic experience, you can steam your seafood of choice in seaweed.
This New England classic can serve a crowd or just a few, depending on the occasion. To scale up, grab a bigger pot, and you’re all set for a beach party. Each rendition of this regional favorite is unique, but this recipe calls for clams or mussels—and chorizo or hot dogs—depending on your taste preference. The beauty of the seafood boil is its versatility, so you can call it a clambake—but any seafood can come to the party, including lobsters and oysters. Visit Simply Recipes for the full recipe.
Chesapeake Bay Crab Boil
A Maryland favorite, the Chesapeake Bay Crab Boil features delectable blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay and steamed to perfection. Often called a “crab feast” by the locals, this seasonal dish usually peaks from late April to October, when blue crabs are plentiful and there for the taking. This traditional recipe, Crab Boil with Beer and Old Bay, combines live blue crabs with light beer, andouille sausage, lemons, garlic, yellow onions, red potatoes, eight ears of fresh corn, and of course, Old Bay Seasoning. Delicious simplicity in a pot! Visit Southern Living for the recipe.
Low Country Boil (Frogmore Stew)
Also known as Frogmore Stew, the Low Country Boil hails from the Carolinas and Georgia. The dish originated in a small Lowcountry fishing community on St. Helena Island named Frogmore, near Beaufort and Hilton Head in South Carolina. Hence, some locals call it Beaufort stew.
This simple, no-fuss rendition of the legendary coastal Southern classic combines new potatoes and cooked kielbasa sausage with Old Bay seasoning, fresh corn on the cob, crab legs, and fresh shrimp with the shells on. Feel free to add other shellfish and serve this tasty medley with crusty bread and plenty of napkins! Visit Food Network for this quick and easy recipe.
Key West Shrimp Boil
This signature dish of the Florida Keys offers a vibrant mix of boiled shrimp, citrus, and tropical flavors. Key West pink shrimp—called Key West “pinks” by the locals—deliver a sweet, mild taste with a firm yet tender texture. Served peel-and-eat style, it’s delicious with cocktail sauce, key lime dipping sauce, or even a tangy side dish. This rendition pairs with a tropical coleslaw with key lime mustard and warm Cuban or Italian bread. Boil your succulent “pinks” in beer and Old Bay Seasoning for a robust burst of flavor. Visit The Ledger for this classic Key West recipe.
Cajun Crawfish Boil
A Louisiana tradition, this party in a pot serves up creamy red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, andouille sausage, sweet onion, and fiery red crawfish seasoned in a zesty broth boil. Deliciously messy and easy to eat with your hands, this festive meal offers a fun, crowd-pleasing experience. The trick is getting your hands on the best crawfish available, as their peak season typically ranges from mid-March to mid-May. Off-season, you can find crawfish at Asian live seafood markets or buy them frozen, either whole or as peeled crawfish tails. While these bright red beauties are steeping in your boil mixture, stir in melted butter, lemon zest, and garlic, and serve with plenty of napkins and ice-cold beer. Visit The Spruce Eats for this spicy Cajun recipe.
Pacific Northwest Dungeness Crab Boil
Dungeness crab is the iconic favorite for a hearty and flavorful seafood boil in the Pacific Northwest. Particularly prevalent throughout Washington and Oregon, this tasty crustacean is cooked whole in a boiling mixture of sausage, potatoes, sweet corn, onions, and seasoning. You’ll want to make sure the potatoes are cooked through before adding the Dungeness crab. This seafood boil makes a mouth-watering dish perfect for festive get-togethers, and many of the exceptional seafood restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest coastal region feature seafood boils on their menus. For this simply delicious recipe, visit Fathom Seafood.
‘Tis the season to get your pots boiling and choose your favorite recipe for an unforgettable seafood boil on the beach!