This Cajun Crawfish Boil recipe will spice up your taste buds! With a blend of zesty, spicy seasoning and savory Old Bay, this dish will transport you straight to the heart of Louisiana. Packed with juicy crawfish, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and andouille sausage, it’s the perfect recipe to impress your guests at your next backyard bash or family dinner.
Grab your bib and get ready to dive into this delicious and flavorful seafood feast! You won’t believe how easy and simple it is to make!
What is a Crawfish Boil
Our What is a Crawfish Boil planning guide has all of the frequently asked questions about boils and how to plan one! Be sure to check it out.
A crawfish boil is a traditional Louisiana and Southern American outdoor gathering centered around the cooking and consumption of crawfish. They are also known as crayfish, mudbugs, or crawdads, are small freshwater crustaceans that resemble tiny lobsters.
To prepare a boil, a large pot of heavily seasoned water is brought to a rolling boil. The crawfish are then added to the pot and boiled until they turn bright red and the meat is cooked through. Other ingredients such as corn on the cob, potatoes, onions, garlic, and sausage may also be added to the pot to enhance the flavor.
How to Cook a Cajun Crawfish Boil
Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Bring a large pot to boil with water. Add enough water to cover the crawfish and vegetables.
- Add the spices, halved lemons, and bay leaves, to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add the halved corn on the cob, halved red potatoes, and andouille sausage to the pot. Stir well to ensure that everything is submerged in the water.
- Cook.
- Add the crawfish to the pot and stir well to ensure that they are evenly distributed.
- Cook until the crawfish are bright red and cooked through.
- Use a strainer to remove the crawfish, corn, potatoes, and sausage from the pot and drain the excess water.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Crawfish only needs to boil for 3-4 minutes to cook through. However, if you’re doing a crawfish boil with lots of flavor, I recommend you allow the crawfish to soak in the spices from the boil for 10 minutes. Total cook time will range 13-14 minutes if you are looking for optimal flavor.
How to Tell When the Crawfish is Done
It’s important to boil them for the right amount of time to ensure they are fully cooked but not overcooked, which can make them tough and rubbery. Here are some tips and signs to watch for:
- Color: Crawfish will turn bright red when they’re fully cooked. Keep an eye on the pot as they cook and look for this color change.
- Texture: You want the crawfish to be firm but not tough or rubbery. Test the texture of the meat by removing one from the pot and pulling the tail away from the head. If the tail comes away easily and the meat inside is firm and white, the crawfish is likely done.
- Timing: As a general rule, crawfish should be boiled for no longer than 15 minutes. Once you add them to boiling water, start timing. Keep an eye on the pot and check for color and texture as described above.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers it’s best to separate the meat from the shells. This will help prevent spoilage and you don’t have to worry about cracking them later. Store tightly covered and sealed for up to 3 days.
How to Reheat
Heat a little oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the crawfish and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through.
Freezer Tips
Freeze it tightly covered and sealed for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
Pair With These Recipes
Southern Coleslaw
Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Southern Baked Beans
Southern Soul Food Potato Salad
Smoked Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon
Crawfish and Cajun Recipes and Guides
How Long to Boil Crawfish
Crawfish Boil Party Guide
What is a Seafood Boil
Seafood Jambalaya with Shrimp
More Seafood Boil Recipes
Seafood Boil in a Bag
Cajun Shrimp Boil
Pair this with our Crawfish Boil Sauce!
Cajun Crawfish Boil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-5 pounds crawfish (clean) See notes for larger gatherings.
- 1 pound red potatoes Sliced in half.
- 6 oz smoked sausage Sliced into 1 inch rounds. I use andouille sausage.
- 6 ears mini corn on the cob
- 1 lemon Sliced in half
Cajun Seafood Spices (You can also use a store-bought Cajun seasoning if you wish).
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust to suit your taste and how spicy you want the boil.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot to boil with water. Add enough water to cover the crawfish and vegetables.
- Add the spices, halved lemons, and bay leaves, to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add the halved corn on the cob, halved red potatoes, and andouille sausage to the pot. Stir well to ensure that everything is submerged in the water. Taste the water repeatedly and add additional spices to suit your taste.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add the crawfish to the pot and stir well to ensure that they are evenly distributed.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the crawfish are bright red and cooked through.
- Turn off the heat and let the crawfish sit in the pot for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Use a strainer to remove the crawfish, corn, potatoes, and sausage from the pot and drain the excess water.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Katie
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
So much flavor packed into one meal. This is so fun to eat together with friends.
Brandi Crawford
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
Perfect for that!
Marsha
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
Great recipe - my whole family loved it!
Brandi Crawford
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
So glad to hear it!