Think a seafood boil seems like a lot of effort to pull off? We did too… until our first one. With the temperatures rising, and now that we live in the land of seafood (any coastline will feel that way!), we’ve found that a seafood boil is such a fun, simple, go-to way to entertain in the summer! What’s better than a table full of delicious, finger-licking food, literally, surrounded by cold drinks, good friends and lots of laughs?! If you’re ready to jump in and host your first seafood boil, then stick around because we’re sharing our tips for hosting without a hitch!
Preparation is Key
Like any good party, a little prep work on the front end goes a long way. While all the good, party fun will be happening on the big table, you’ll need a place to prep and your supplies. Gather up lots of napkins (simple cloth napkins or small dish towels work best for this!), extra spices including lemons and lots of butter, newspapers (to line the table), a few plates or bowls for trash, crackers or bread, tools, etc. Don’t forget a small outdoor speaker to play some tunes while you chow down!
Prep the Table
A seafood boil is meant to be messy, and boy is it ever! But that’s the fun and beauty of it. Line the table with butcher block paper and layers of newspaper, set out the bowls or platters for collecting shrimp tails, shells and cobs, and don’t leave out the drinks! Keep them cold and keep them coming. Set out some small bowls of melted butter for dipping, as well as crusty bread to add another element of flavor and texture.
The Centerpiece… the Food
The food at a seafood boil is the fun part! Not only is it lip smacking, it also doubles as a centerpiece and an activity as it’s spread out across the middle of the table for everyone to “serve themselves”! Grab a large pot or two and get the water boiling.
Just keep this recipe handy:
An Easy-to-Throw Seafood Boil
- Boil a large pot of water.
- Add 3 tbsp (or more!) seafood seasoning.
- Add 12 red or new potatoes.
- Cut 3 lbs cooked kielbasa into 1” pieces and add to pot.
- Peel cloves from a head of garlic and add to the pot.
- Cook for ten minutes.
- Add 4-8 ears halved corn on the cobb.
- Add 2-4 lbs crab, chopped into pieces (optional).
- Cook for another five minutes.
- Add 3 lbs fresh, cleaned shrimp.
- Add 2 lemons, halved.
- Cook another 3-4 minutes.
Drain water and pour contents onto a table covered in butcher or craft paper and layers of newspaper!
*If you’re adding lobster to your seafood boil, just cook in a separate pot and add to the table as well.
Time to Eat
The great thing about a seafood boil is the fun of digging in and eating with your hands. It’s the casual entertaining and embracing the mess. So go for it! Stock the table with plenty of cloth napkins, a few forks for those little bits that are hard to grab with fingers and then let the fun unfold. Plus, your table is lined with paper, so when you’re all done just wrap up anything you need to discard with the paper and clean up is just about finished!
So are you ready for your own summer seafood boil? Go for it!