If you’re craving a restaurant-style crab boil platter with extra corn, this classic Southern seafood boil recipe delivers bold flavor, juicy crab, buttery corn on the cob, and perfectly seasoned vegetables. This one-pot crab boil platter is ideal for family gatherings, summer parties, and special occasions.
🛒 Ingredients
🦀 Seafood
- 2–3 lbs fresh crab legs (snow crab or king crab)
- 1 lb shrimp (optional, peeled & deveined)
🌽 Extra Corn (Key Highlight)
- 8–10 ears corn on the cob, halved
(extra corn makes this crab boil platter more filling and budget-friendly)
🥔 Vegetables
- 1½ lbs baby potatoes
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 whole garlic bulb, halved
🌶 Seasonings
- ½ cup seafood boil seasoning
- 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 lemons, halved
🧈 Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1½ cups unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
🍲 How to Make Crab Boil Platter with Extra Corn (Step-by-Step)
🔥 Step 1: Boil the Base
Fill a large stockpot with water (about ¾ full). Add:
- Seafood boil seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Bay leaves
- Lemons
- Onion and garlic
Bring to a rolling boil.
🥔 Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Add potatoes first.
Boil for 10–12 minutes until slightly tender.
🌽 Step 3: Add Extra Corn
Add corn on the cob and cook for 5 minutes.
Extra corn absorbs the seasoning and balances the richness of the seafood.
🦀 Step 4: Cook the Crab
Add crab legs and shrimp.
Boil for 4–6 minutes, just until heated through.
🛑 Step 5: Soak for Maximum Flavor
Turn off heat.
Let everything soak in the seasoned water for 10–15 minutes for deep flavor.
🧈 Garlic Butter Sauce (Optional but HIGHLY Recommended)
Melt butter over medium heat.
Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and lemon juice.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then stir in parsley.
🍽 How to Serve the Crab Boil Platter
Drain seafood and vegetables.
Arrange on a large platter or table covered with parchment paper:
- Pile crab legs in the center
- Surround with extra corn and potatoes
- Drizzle with garlic butter sauce
Serve with lemon wedges and extra seasoning.
💡 Pro Tips for Best Crab Boil Platter
✔ Use extra corn to stretch the meal affordably
✔ Don’t overcook crab—just heat it through
✔ Soaking step = restaurant-quality flavor
✔ Serve family-style for higher engagement photos