Louisiana Crawfish Boil – Barefeet within the Kitchen

Step-by-step pictures and directions for a Louisiana-style Crawfish Boil loaded with greens and a lot taste!

So. A lot. Enjoyable. There are an entire lot of adjectives I might use to explain my introduction to a crawfish boil, however WOW sums it up properly.

I’m laying out all of the steps right here so you possibly can arrange and cook dinner a Louisiana seafood boil with shrimp or crawfish. Spoiler alert – doing a Louisiana-style seafood boil on the range is way easier than you may suppose. (I’ll be sharing instructions particularly for a shrimp boil at residence subsequent week!)

Heads up – that is going to be an extended one. If you’re simply right here for the directions, hit that helpful “soar to recipe” button on the high of the submit.

Crawfish Boil

Whereas in Louisiana for Sean’s household reunion, our cousin Rick volunteered to do a Louisiana-style crawfish boil for us. And oh, there actually aren’t phrases for a way excited I used to be to expertise this for the primary time.

So far as consuming crawfish goes, for those who aren’t aware of them already, they style like a cross between their crustacean cousins lobster and shrimp. What’s to not love about that?

I used to be thrilled we have been capable of be there from begin to end and study from the grasp. And yeah, Rick is a legit grasp of the seafood boil. Don’t miss the customized skimmer, the crawfish on his belt and his hat, and the very cool stirring paddle in among the pictures for proof of his ardour for all of it.

Crawfish boils are a social occasion in Louisiana – and wherever else you is perhaps fortunate sufficient to get pleasure from one. This isn’t only a meal shared with associates or household. It’s an expertise. (Have I acknowledged that clearly sufficient?)

Ha, and right here’s a professional tip for you: Don’t put on white, associates. That’s a rookie transfer and your Tide stick will be put to good use after the boil. Simply ask me how I do know this.

Crayfish vs Crawfish

First issues first, is it a crawfish? a crayfish? a crawdad? Sure to all of them. The identify you’re probably to make use of merely will depend on the place you reside or the place you grew up.

Louisianans name them crawfish, whereas folks in northern states usually tend to say crayfish. Within the southwest, the place I grew up, we referred to as them crawdads.

My Uncle Clarence would catch as many crawdads from the sting of the lake as he might on our annual family camping trips after which carry them again to camp. He’d boil them in a bit of saucepan on our camp range and we’d dip these minuscule bits of meat from the tails in melted butter.

Undoubtedly extra of a enjoyable reminiscence than a meal, however nonetheless, I suppose that was technically my first crawdad boil. I despatched him pictures of our boil in Louisiana and it was enjoyable to share the reminiscence with him once more.

Crawfish Boil Gear

For a full out of doors crawfish boil, you’ll want the next tools:

If you happen to’re simply getting began, there’s no have to go loopy with a large crawfish pot, however don’t let me cease you if that seems like enjoyable. A easy 60-quart stockpot is all you want for small to medium-sized boils. (This pot comes with a handy strainer basket.)

Stovetop Boil Gear

If you happen to solely have to feed 2-4 folks, or for those who don’t care about all the additional substances, you possibly can scale back the recipe quantities beneath. That stated, I feel you need to add all of them, because the extras add a lot awesomeness to a seafood boil!

A lot of the crucial boil tools for a smaller-scale boil is probably going already in your kitchen and also you’ll solely want an 8, 10, or 12-quart pot. (That 12-quart pot is a screaming deal, btw.)

Crawfish Boil Elements

The substances listed within the recipe card will present sufficient meals for 6-8 folks, seemingly when doing a smaller crawfish boil on the range.

You’ll be able to alter the quantities beneath by sliding the serving dimension up or down in line with your wants.

You’ll want the next substances for a Louisiana-style crawfish or shrimp boil:

Cajun Crawfish Boil

Relying on the place you reside, you might be able to discover the seasonings each domestically and/or in smaller portions. Don’t be afraid of the cayenne pepper right here, associates. I linked the massive container above, as a result of I watched Rick add at the very least two cups of it into the pot of water. The consequence was a bit of warmth, however actually not all that a lot.

If you happen to aren’t a fan of sausage, that may be skipped as nicely. Have in mind although, the sausage presents an appreciated different for any company who is probably not followers of seafood, but want to benefit from the boil with you.

Sausage additionally presents a extra frugal meat choice, along with the seafood, you probably have a big household, a crew of meat lovers, or teenage boys who will get pleasure from having extra meat selection included.

The greens within the boil are all non-obligatory, so be at liberty to regulate them as you want. That stated, I extremely suggest attempting a boil with all of them.

The variability right here makes a giant distinction within the last consequence. Doing a seafood boil with so many alternative substances delivers superior outcomes!

Whereas pineapple isn’t all the time utilized in a boil, I’m so glad that it was there. The pineapple soaks entire within the boiling seasoning and spices.

The result’s candy and spicy, completely softened with a agency chew remaining. There wasn’t a scrap of the sliced pineapple left on the finish of the day.

Washing Crawfish

Rinse the crawfish nicely earlier than cooking. You should utilize a handy crawfish washer like this one, for those who’re diving into the entire full-blown crawfish boil expertise, however you can too merely wash a smaller quantity in a clear sink. Take away any useless crawfish earlier than cooking.

Whereas some folks select to salt the water in an try to purge the crawfish, it’s not all the time advisable or confirmed helpful. So, rinse them nicely, however save the salt. Nonetheless, for those who select to salt/purge them, that’s high quality too.

If you happen to’ve bought crawfish in a mesh sack, you possibly can submerge it in contemporary water a number of instances till the used water is evident.

How you can Do a Crawfish Boil

The enjoyable begins with a large pot of water. Add the seasoning packets, liquid boil, salt, and an entire lot of cayenne pepper.

Add the onions, lemons, potatoes, and contemporary pineapple, and produce to a boil. When the pot is boiling, add the garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and olives. Return to a full boil.

Add the sausage and the crawfish (or shrimp). Add extra cayenne, if you need it spicy.

Deliver the pot again to a full boil for only a few minutes (about 3 minutes for crawfish and 1-2 minutes for shrimp) after which flip off the warmth.

Add the corn, cauliflower, and inexperienced beans, and let all the things relaxation for about quarter-hour.

Check the crawfish to see in the event that they’ve absorbed the flavors, and take a look at to not burn your mouth on the irresistible scorching greens and olives.

Use a strainer to tug the meals from the pot and switch it to a big tray or bowl. Pull the pineapple and use a pointy knife to slice it thinly.

Serve with Cajun dipping sauce and luxuriate in!

How Lengthy to Boil Crawfish

Return the pot to a boil after including the crawfish and boil for about 3-5 minutes. The crawfish will flip a brilliant crimson and float to the highest of the pot.

Flip the warmth off and permit the crawfish to soak for an extra quarter-hour or so. They may begin sinking as they soak up the flavoring from the pot.

Pull a crawfish from the pot and break off the tail, tip the physique the wrong way up, and see if liquid drips out. When this occurs, the crawfish is able to eat.

Drain or pressure the substances from the pot and serve instantly.