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Crab and Shrimp Boil Help

Posted on 6/1/20 at 9:23 am
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
7547 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 9:23 am
Ive got about 3 dozen crabs and 5 lb jumbo shrimp to boil. I have zero experience with crab and shrimp.

Anybody have a good recipe and technique? Can I just do in a large pot on the stove? Can I use the same liquid to do the crabs and then shrimp?
Posted by LSU0358
Member since Jan 2005
8022 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 9:39 am to
This my shimp boil recipe I do in a large pot on a burner outside:

1. After the fire has started add Zatarains crab boil, don't be shy with it
2. Once water is boiling, go in with new potatoes. Add lemon, onions, and garlic at this time as well. Have the lemons halved, onions quartered, and garlic broken down and peeled (no dicing thought)
3. 10 minutes after potatoes go in add sausage.
4. 7 minutes after sausage, add the shrimp. Once shrimp are in kill the fire. 3 minutes later dump on the table.

I've only done crab a few times, so someone with more experience comment here. Crab boiling time is crab size dependent, but they should boil somewhere around 10 to 15 minutes. So I'd add them sometime between steps 2 and 3 on my list. You can do the shrimp and crab together, no need to separate. Also, I'd highly recommend doing this outside if possible.
Posted by dtett
Jiggacity
Member since Oct 2018
550 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 10:20 am to
I did a crab/shrimp boil the other day and it's not that crazy.

Put 3/4 zatarains bucket in boil, bottle of lemon/garlic liquid and bring to a boil.

Add potatoes and boil until half cooked, add crabs, rest of zatarains, and bring back to boil. Boil 6 minutes. Add shrimp and corn. Boil/wait 1 more minute. Cut heat and add ice to slow/stop the cooking (5 lb bag will do). Soak until they sink and they're ready.

If no ice, just boil the crabs for 7. Add corn to the boil in the last minute of boiling. Add shrimp when you cut the heat and let them soak.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22726 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 10:23 am to
A big pot on the stove is fine if you mind stinking up the house a little. Do you have a turkey fryer?

Crabs are the hardest seafood to season. If they skinny the will be overyle spicy, if they packed full of meat they will be under seasoned.

For 3 dozen crabs. Use 1 one of theose 16oz packs of crab boil powder, I use Louisiana. Boil them 5 minutes then add your shrimp. Let them soak till they sink.
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
7547 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 10:32 am to
Good info in all these posts. When y’all mention seasoning, what amount of season per amount of water? Just follow the recipe on the boil mix? Seems like most people add powder AND liquid and then maybe some salt too
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22726 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 12:22 pm to
About 2 gallons.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
23369 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 1:07 pm to
Let me make this simple for you: Put enough water in the pot that will cover all crabs and shrimp. Bring to a boil. add seasoning. About 4-5lbs of powder should do. Add crabs and boil till they rise to the top. Turnoff heat, add shrimp and stir. then add liquid zatarains. stir. all are ready when the seafood sinks.
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
7547 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 5:28 pm to
4 to 5 lb for 3 dozen crabs and 5 lb shrimp? Man that’s a lot different than 16 oz that CHED said!
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
7547 posts
Posted on 6/2/20 at 6:58 am to
Ended up using 5 gal of water and 4.5 lb of zatarains. Boiled crabs for 8 min and shut off fire. Added shrimp and soaked for 20 min. Came out pretty good
Posted by WhiteMandingo
Member since Jan 2016
6862 posts
Posted on 6/2/20 at 6:30 pm to
So you dont drop the tempature and soak the shrimp?
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22726 posts
Posted on 6/3/20 at 12:28 pm to
I can tell you there ain't many people who boil more than my family (unless they own a seafood business) and none of us ever drop the temperature.
Posted by WhiteMandingo
Member since Jan 2016
6862 posts
Posted on 6/3/20 at 6:56 pm to
When do the shrimp absorb the seasoning?
Posted by LSU0358
Member since Jan 2005
8022 posts
Posted on 6/4/20 at 11:09 am to
quote:

So you dont drop the tempature and soak the shrimp?


Nope. Dump the shrimp in, kill the fire. Let the shrimp soak until they are a nice ruby/orange color...typically about 3 minutes. No ice etc in the pot.
Posted by SpotCheckBilly
Member since May 2020
7493 posts
Posted on 6/4/20 at 12:20 pm to
I guess mentioning Old Bay would be taboo.
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