Seafood Boil in Bag Recipe (Seafood Boil Bag with Shrimp, Crab) (2024)

Seafood boil in bag can be made with shrimp, crab, crawfish, clams, lobster, or your favorite seafood! Learn how to make the best seafood boil bags and get tips so the fish, andouille sausage, potatoes, and corn are all done at the same time. You’ll love seafood boil in a bag for an easy recipe that feeds a crowd. The seasoning and garlic butter sauce really amps up the flavor!

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When you live near the coast, anytime is a good time to make this seafood boil recipe. Making an oven bag seafood boil is simple: place the seafood, seasoning, and liquid in a bag, seal the bag, and bake. You can do a crab boil in a bag, shrimp boil bag, or do a mix of types of shellfish in your seafood bag.

The one major problem with boil in the bag fish is that the different ingredients have different steaming times. Our work around is that we’re steaming the potatoes ahead and using precooked seafood (with the exception of the shrimp). I tested this crab boil bag several times, and I found this is the best way to get everything done on time.

Super Walmart and many grocery stores carry frozen packages of fully cooked seafood of just about every type imaginable. These products are pretty much made for this shrimp in a bag recipe, and they tend to be very affordable.

🦀 What’s in seafood boil in bag?

Here are the ingredients for seafood boil in bag:

• 12-16 ounces extra large raw shrimp (340-454 grams; peeled, deveined, and tail on)
• 1-1½ lbs cooked snow crab legs (454-680 grams; can substitute cooked king crab legs, crawfish, or lobster tails)
• 1½-2 lbs steamed mussels with shells (680-1020 grams; or use steamed clams)
• 12-16 ounces precooked andouille sausage (340-454 grams)
• 1 lb small thin-skinned potatoes (454 grams; yellow or red potatoes)
• 3 ears of corn on the cob

Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post!

I used large raw clams in one of my recipe tests, and as you can see in the photos, they didn’t fully pop open. I ended up picking them out and quickly steaming them in some broth on the stovetop for easier eating. This isn’t ideal, so I recommend purchasing precooked seafood for this recipe.

One of the nice things about this recipe is its flexibility. You can use the types of shellfish that are locally available to you and that you like the taste of.

Shrimp Boil Seasoning

Here’s what you need for the seafood boil sauce:

• 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup chicken broth (can substitute white wine)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

I also like to have lemon wedges on hand for serving. The seasoning is so flavorful, you can use the juices left in the bag as a seafood boil dipping sauce. Other options include garlic butter, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, or co*cktail sauce.

If you don’t like Old Bay, make a Cajun seafood boil recipe instead with Zatarain’s crab boil seasoning or Louisiana Cajun seasoning. Add red pepper flakes for more kick, or keep it milder with lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Two more things you must have for this recipe are heat resistant bags and a large roasting pan. You need to use large oven bags for this seafood boil, not Ziploc baggies. I use the nylon Reynolds “turkey size” oven bags, because we can fit a lot of seafood in there!

➕ How to Make Seafood Boil Bags

How do you make seafood boil in a bag? Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make my seafood boil in a bag recipe:

1. Thaw the frozen seafood in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours maximum. Remove any vacuum-sealed packaging from the seafood prior to thawing to prevent the risk of botulism. The seafood should be thoroughly drained with no ice chunks after defrosting.

2. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces (2.54 cm) and steam until tender using your favorite method. (See this info on how to microwave vegetables for the fastest way.) Cut each corn cob into 3 pieces and slice the andouille sausages into 4 pieces each. Mince the garlic cloves.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C). Mix the Old Bay, garlic, melted butter, broth, and lemon juice together.

4. Place the thawed seafood in a large oven bag (turkey size) with the sausage, potatoes, and corn. Make sure the crab claws don’t poke through the bag! Pour the seasoned butter mixture over the seafood, and close and tie the bag. Put the bag in a large metal roasting pan, and poke 4-6 1-inch holes (2.54 cm) in the top of the bag.

5. Bake the seafood boil in the bag for 30-35 minutes in the 375F (190C) oven. The roasting pan should be on an oven rack about 1/3 down from the top of the oven.

6. After cooking, drain the bag (this sauce is perfect for dipping). Spread the seafood and veggies out on parchment paper or freezer paper with lemon wedges for serving and parsley for garnish. Enjoy- it’s a feast!

How long do you cook a seafood boil in a bag?

Cook seafood in bag for 30-35 minutes at 375F (190C). Fully cooked seafood is opaque and has reached a minimum safe internal temperature of 145F (63C).

🌡️ How to Reheat Seafood Boil in Bag

Leftover seafood doesn’t keep well, so save this recipe for when you’re entertaining if you have a small family. If you must store leftovers, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one day. Reheat leftover seafood boil in bag in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 60 seconds on high, or until heated through.

Can you reheat seafood boil bag in the oven? Yes, you can reheat a seafood boil bag in the oven. Place the bag in an oven-safe dish and heat it at a low temperature, around 250F (120C), until it is heated through.

FAQs

What is the liquid that goes on the seafood boil?

The liquid used in a seafood boil is typically a flavorful mixture of butter, lemon juice, spices, and seasonings. Common ingredients include Old Bay seasoning, garlic, lemon, and cayenne pepper.

Can I put my seafood bag in boiling water?

Yes, you can put your seafood boil bag in boiling water if it is heat-resistant and specifically designed for boiling. Make sure the bag has no holes, and is tied off securely. Immerse the bag in boiling water and cook according to the instructions provided.

Are seafood boil bags microwave safe?

Whether seafood boil bags are microwave safe depends on the specific bag. According to Reynolds, their oven bags are microwave safe. Check the packaging or contact the manufacturer for instructions to ensure safe microwave use.

Where to buy seafood boil bags?

I found frozen seafood boil in a bag near me at Aldi. This product is actually cooked in a pot on the stove, not in the oven. You may also find seafood boil bags at other supermarkets, seafood markets, or online retailers.

👩‍🍳 Other Seafood Recipes

Here are some more recipes for seafood to try:

• Seafood Delight
• Instant Pot Seafood Chowder
• Steamed Fish in Banana Leaf
• Shrimp Chowder (New England Style)

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