Homemade Crawfish Boil

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Keep your next seafood boil simple with this Homemade Crawfish Boil! It’s a small-scale recipe but this Louisiana style crawfish boil still has amazing Cajun flavor!

You might think preparing a New Orleans seafood boil might be overwhelming, but I promise this recipe is super simple. And served with this seafood butter sauce, it's incredible!

Once you source your crawfish, boiling them up with some corn, potatoes, sausage and seasonings couldn’t be easier - not too different from this Cajun seafood boil we love!

We have a serious love for crawfish (like this crawfish etouffee, crawfish gumbo and crawfish bisque) so it’s about time I shared this easy crawfish boil with you. It’s a fun way to enjoy crawfish when they're in season and it's perfect for just 2-4 people.

And, if crawfish aren’t in season or not available where you live, no worries. You can use frozen crawfish in this recipe too!

Check out the crawfish boil story!

Close up view of cooked crawfish with corn and potatoes.

What are crawfish?

Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans that resemble little lobsters and typically come from Louisiana. They may also be called crayfish or crawdads or even mud bugs. Their meat is similar in flavor to lobster, crab or shrimp.

What is a crawfish boil?

It’s a Southern style seafood boil with crawfish, spicy seasonings and veggies (most notably corn and potatoes). It’s usually drained and emptied out onto paper (or newspaper) lined tables to enjoy casually with a crowd.

Why this recipe works

The recipe is for a small boil so it’s perfect for 2-4 people. Feel free to double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
If you don’t have a source of live crawfish, you can use frozen for this recipe (which is what I do).
This seafood boil comes together in less than an hour!

Ingredients

The following is an overview of some of the ingredients needed for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.

You’ll need 2 pounds of fresh or frozen whole crawfish for this recipe. For convenience, I’m using cooked and frozen crawfish but have included tips for cooking fresh as well.

Key ingredients for crawfish boils include sausage, corn, potatoes and Cajun seasoning.

You’ll need fresh ears of corn, cut into small pieces. This is ideal for serving. Similarly, you’ll also want to use mini potatoes or small ones cut in half. We normally use red potatoes but you can also use Yukon gold.

Any type of smoked sausage will work in a seafood boil. Andouille is a great choice, as it has a smoky and spicy flavor, but you can also use kielbasa.

For a bold and spicy flavor, you’ll need 4 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. While you can use store-bought, homemade Cajun seasoning is easy to make!

Step by step instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot, except the crawfish, and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.

All the ingredients, except the crawfish, brought to a simmer in a large pot.

Adjust the seasoning to taste, if necessary.

Add the crawfish and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, strain and serve alone or with this seafood butter sauce.

**To be authentic, strain and and pour it on paper lined picnic tables.

Expert tips

Make sure you’re using a large enough pot to boil the crawfish and vegetables.
You’ll need to use enough water to cover the crawfish so they cook properly.
If you’re not using frozen crawfish (which are usually fully cooked), you’ll want to make sure your crawfish are fresh, alive and clean.
If using cooked and frozen crawfish, add them to the boil frozen. If you defrost them first, reduce the cooking time.
If using live crawfish, pick out any dead ones. It’s normal to find a few in your sack of crawfish, but they should not be consumed.
You should cook your live crawfish soon after buying them. If you’re not cooking them the same day, make sure to store them on ice in a cooler but cook within a few days.
Give the live crawfish a good rinse before boiling them to remove any dirt. You may also want to purge them. Here are a few tips on how to clean crawfish.

Close up view of boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes.

Common questions

How long do you boil crawfish?

Fresh or frozen crawfish will boil in just 3-4 minutes. If you thaw the frozen crawfish first, they will only take a minute or so to cook (as they are normally fully cooked before freezing).

How do you eat crawfish?

Since the crawfish are cooked with the shell on, you’ll need a few tips and tricks for eating them. This is a helpful tutorial on how to eat crawfish.

Can you use another type of seafood instead of crawfish?

Absolutely! If you can’t find crawfish, you can use crab, shrimp, prawns or lobster. You'll just need to adjust the cooking time for the shellfish you are cooking.

What type of sausage is best for a crawfish boil?

Any type of smoked sausage will work for this recipe.

What can you do with leftover crawfish?

Remove the crawfish from the shells and serve it with salads or pasta. It’s also delicious in these crispy Cajun crawfish egg rolls or this easy homemade crawfish pie!