Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by Toya
Do you need a delicious Southern recipe like crawfish boil for a gathering? My easy crawfish boil recipe is just what you’re lookin for! It is made with easy ingredients and taste so good, you’ll want to make it again and again!
This crawfish boil is perfect for any gathering or large events and is sure to wow your guests with its authentic flavor.
In this recipe, I’ll show you how to cook an easy and delicious crawfish boil with live crawfish, a variety of spices and vegetables! So mouthwateringly yummy!
Easy Crawfish Boil
Crawfish boils are a popular way to gather with friends and family, especially in states like Louisiana. It’s a great excuse to spend time outdoors, enjoy the warm weather, and indulge in some delicious seafood…Hello Summer and Spring!!
But it’s not just about the food. A crawfish boil gives you the opportunity to enjoy social events that bring people together. It’s the perfect way to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and simply enjoy each other’s company over great tasting food!
Let me show you how to make my own easy crawfish boil recipe.
Ingredients for Crawfish Boil
- 30 pounds of live crawfish, cleaned
- Water
- 4 lemons, halved
- 6 onions, quartered
- 5 heads of garlic
- 3 pounds of small potatoes
- 8 ears of corn, halved
- 2 pounds of smoked sausage, cut into chunks
- 1 cup of Cajun Seasoning
- 2 bottles of Zatarain’s Concentrated Shrimp & Crab Boil
- 2 cups Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil Seasoning
- Bay leaves (optional, but highly recommended!)
Crawfish
The star of the show is undoubtedly the crawfish. Depending on your location, you can purchase live crawfish from local seafood markets or online. Be sure to order a sufficient quantity for your event; generally, you can serve around 2–3 pounds per person.
Potatoes and Corn
In addition to crawfish, you will also need potatoes and corn on the cob. You can use any type of potatoes you want. With corn on the cob, I suggest breaking whole ears of corn into halves. But you can also go with pre-packaged corn.
Flavorful Sausage
Use any type of sausage that is rich and spicy, such as Andouille, Chaurice, or Kielbasa. Sausages gives you something else to enjoy in an otherwise large see of crawfish!
Additional Seafood (optional)
Although crawfish is the main ingredient here, you can also add some shrimp and crab legs to the boil. Adding these additional seafood options will complement the crawfish boil and they’re great options for people who aren’t to crazy about crawfish — but you still want to make them feel welcome.
Tools for making Your Crawfish Boil
- 100-Qt Seafood Boiling Kit – This all-in-one kit includes a 100-quart pot, high-powered propane burner, and strainer basket—everything you need to cook and drain large batches of crawfish and vegetables efficiently. This is available on Amazon if you need a good quality and affordable one.
- Large cooler or container: For cleaning the live crawfish.
- Long-handled spoon or paddle: For stirring the ingredients for the crawfish boil in the pot.
- Newspapers or large trays: For serving the boiled crawfish and vegetables.
Optional Tools:
- Crawfish table: A table designed for serving crawfish, often with a built-in trash bin for shells.
- Trash cans or bags: For disposing of shells and other waste.
- Serving utensils: Such as tongs or ladles for serving the food.
- Dipping sauce bowls: If serving with sauces.
These tools will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable crawfish boil outdoor party!
Important Tips for Cooking the Crawfish Boil
Make It Indoors
You can make this crawfish boil indoors, and even on the stovetop using the largest stockpot you have on hand. It is a bit tedious and I do not recommend this method — not for 30 lbs of crawfish. But it can be done!
Make It Outdoors
You can also make the boiled crawfish recipe outdoors (which is the best option by the way!) At least for that much food!
Before you begin, you will need a really large crawfish/seafood boil pot like this one below. If you have one then go ahead and grab it so you can start making your boiled crawfish recipe, or you can get this one on amazon.
Need a large capacity seafood or crawfish boil pot for outdoor seafood boils? This one is the best option there is!
Preparing Your live Crawfish
Before cooking live crawfish, they require some preparation. Here’s how to ensure they are ready to be boiled:
- Wash the crawfish with running water, by placing them in a large tub or cooler and spraying them with cool water from a garden hose. Stir them around gently while the water runs to help loosen mud and debris. Let the dirty water drain out, then repeat the process 3 to 4 times until the water runs mostly clear. As you rinse, remove any dead crawfish that floats or doesn’t move. Once clean, let them rest in a cool spot until you’re ready to cook.
How to Make the Crawfish Boil
Grab a large pot with a capacity of at least 60 quarts. Fill it with water, making sure it reaches about two-thirds of its capacity. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Once boiling, it’s time to start making the crawfish boil.
- Add all the seasonings into the boiling water (this includes 2 bottles of Zatarain’s Concentrated Shrimp & Crab Boil, 2 cups Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil Seasoning, 1 cup of Cajun Seasoning, and the bay leaves.
- Then add the onions, garlic, lemons and boil for a few more minutes.
- Then, add the potatoes and boil for about 5 minutes until fork tender.
- Add the clean crawfish and the corn to the pot and allow to cook until the crawfish turn red, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the crawfish and vegetables are cooked, pour about 1–2 pounds of ice into the pot and stir. The ice helps stop the cooking but allows the crawfish to remain in the pot to keep soaking up some more flavor for an additional 10 -15 minutes!
- Finally, you can drain the crawfish boil and pour all the food onto laid-out newspapers or, you serve on plates with a yummy butter sauce or as is. The crawfish boil is so well seasoned so any extra sauces or seasonings sprinkled on top are totally optional!
Possible Variations for Crawfish Boil Recipe
One of the best things about crawfish boil is that it is such a versatile meal. Therefore, you can add just about anything to this easy crawfish boil. Here are some variations you can try:
- Replace the smoked sausage with andouille sausage for some extra added spice.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the boil (around the same time you add in your potatoes) for some earthy flavors.
- Include other seafood, such as shrimp or crab legs if you prefer. This is great if you have guests who do not fancy crawfish. The shrimp and crab legs gives them something to enjoy.
- Use a different seasoning mix — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can also opt for a milder pre-made or homemade seafood boil seasoning instead of cajun seasonings and Zatarain’s boil seasoning. You can also just make your own homemade seafood seasoning recipe.
- You can even add chicken wings to your crawfish boil!
Side Dishes and Accompaniments
No crawfish boil is complete without some delicious side dishes and accompaniments. Here are some popular options that you can serve alongside your crawfish boil:
Cornbread
This is a classic Southern staple, and is the perfect complement to the rich and spicy flavors of a crawfish boil. Serve it warm with a dollop of butter for extra richness.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a refreshing side dish that provides a nice contrast to the heat of the crawfish boil recipe. It’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for large parties.
Cajun Rice
Cajun rice is a flavorful and aromatic side dish that pairs particularly well with crawfish. Its spices and seasonings complement the bold flavors of the boil, making it a popular choice.
Beer
A cold beer on a hot day with some crawfish boil full of flavor is the most perfect combination ever! Pale ales and lagers are popular choices, but for those who prefer a more robust flavor profile, try a brown ale or a porter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen crawfish for my boil?
I think cleaned, live crawfish is the best option for this recipe. However, if you cannot find live crawfish, you can indeed use frozen crawfish. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How many people will 30 lbs of crawfish feed
I mentioned it briefly above, but 30 lbs will feed about 10–15 people, depending on appetites and sides. Aim for about 2-3 lbs per person.
3. How long do you boil and soak crawfish?
- Boil time: 2–3 minutes after the water returns to a boil.
- Soak time: 10–15 minutes off the heat with lid on and ice poured in—let them soak up that flavor!
Ready to make this recipe? Check out the recipe card below:
Crawfish Boil Recipe
Looking to impress your guests with a delicious Southern dish? You can't go wrong with a classic crawfish boil! It's perfect for get-togethers and guaranteed to wow the crowd with bold, authentic flavor.
Ingredients
- 30 pounds of live crawfish
- Water
- 4 lemons, halved
- 6 onions, quartered
- 5 heads of garlic
- 3 pounds of small potatoes
- 6 ears of corn, halved
- 2 pounds of smoked sausage, cut into chunks
- 1 cup of Cajun Seasoning
- 2 (8oz) bottles of Zatarain’s Concentrated Shrimp & Crab Boil
- 2 cups Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil Seasoning
- Bay leaves (optional)
Instructions
Before cooking live crawfish, they require some preparation. Here’s how to ensure they are ready to be boiled:
- Wash the crawfish with running water, by placing them in a large tub or cooler and spraying them with cool water from a garden hose. Stir them around gently while the water runs to help loosen mud and debris. Let the dirty water drain out, then repeat the process 3 to 4 times until the water runs mostly clear. As you rinse, remove any dead crawfish that float or don’t move. Once clean, let them rest in a cool spot until you’re ready to cook.
Making the Crawfish Boil
Grab a large pot with a capacity of at least 60 quarts. Fill it with water, making sure it reaches about two-thirds of its capacity. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Once boiling, it’s time to start making the crawfish boil.
- Add all the seasonings into the boiling water (this includes 2 bottles of Zatarain’s Concentrated Shrimp & Crab Boil, 2 cups Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil Seasoning, 1 cup of Cajun Seasoning, and Bay leaves.
- Then add the onions, garlic, lemons and boil for a few more minutes.
- Then, add the potatoes and boil for about 5 minutes until fork tender.
- Add the clean crawfish and the corn to the pot and allow to cook until the crawfish turn red, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the crawfish and vegetables are cooked, pour about 1–2 pounds of ice into the pot. The ice helps stop the cooking but allows the crawfish to keep soaking up some more flavor for an additional 10 minutes!
- Finally you can drain the crawfish boil and pour all the food onto laid-out newspapers or serve on plates with a yummy butter sauce or as is (the crawfish boil is so well seasoned so any extra sauces or seasonings are optional!)
Notes
Make It Indoors
You can make this crawfish boil indoors, and even on the stovetop using the largest stockpot you have on hand. It is a bit tedious and I do not recommend this method — not for 24 to 30 lbs of crawfish, but it can be done!
Make It Outdoors
Or, you can make it outdoors (which is the best option by the way!) At least for that much food!
Before you begin, you will need a really large crawfish/seafood boil pot like this one. If you have one then go ahead and grab it to to start making your boiled crawfish recipe, or you can get one on amazon.