Louisiana Crawfish Boil – Barefeet within the Kitchen

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

So. A lot. Enjoyable. There are a complete lot of adjectives I may 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 may 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 would possibly assume. (I’ll be sharing instructions particularly for a shrimp boil at house subsequent week!)

Heads up – that is going to be a protracted one. If you’re simply right here for the directions, hit that useful “soar to recipe” button on the high of the put up.

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 the way excited I used to be to expertise this for the primary time.

So far as consuming crawfish goes, if you happen to aren’t accustomed to 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 had been capable of be there from begin to end and be taught 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 images for proof of his ardour for all of it.

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

Ha, and right here’s a professional tip for you: Don’t put on white, buddies. That’s a rookie transfer and your Tide stick might 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 title you’re more than likely to make use of merely will depend on the place you reside or the place you grew up.

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

My Uncle Clarence would catch as many crawdads from the sting of the lake as he may on our annual household tenting journeys after which deliver them again to camp. He’d boil them in slightly saucepan on our camp range and we’d dip these minuscule bits of meat from the tails in melted butter.

Positively extra of a enjoyable reminiscence than a meal, however nonetheless, I suppose that was technically my first crawdad boil. I despatched him images 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 gear:

Should you’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 feels like enjoyable. A easy 60-quart stockpot is all you want for small to medium-sized boils. (This pot comes with a useful strainer basket.)

Stovetop Boil Gear

Should you solely have to feed 2-4 individuals, or if you happen to don’t care about all the additional substances, you may cut back the recipe quantities beneath. That stated, I feel you must add all of them, because the extras add a lot awesomeness to a seafood boil!

A lot of the essential boil gear 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 individuals, probably when doing a smaller crawfish boil on the range.

You possibly can regulate the quantities beneath by sliding the serving measurement 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 could possibly discover the seasonings each domestically and/or in smaller portions. Don’t be afraid of the cayenne pepper right here, buddies. I linked the big container above, as a result of I watched Rick add at the least two cups of it into the pot of water. The outcome was a bit of warmth, however truthfully not all that a lot.

Should you aren’t a fan of sausage, that may be skipped as properly. Be mindful although, the sausage gives an appreciated various for any visitors who is probably not followers of seafood, but want to benefit from the boil with you.

Sausage additionally gives a extra frugal meat possibility, along with the seafood, you probably have a big household, a crew of meat lovers, or teenage boys who will take pleasure in having extra meat selection included.

The greens within the boil are all optionally available, so be at liberty to regulate them as you want. That stated, I extremely advocate attempting a boil with all of them.

The variability right here makes an enormous distinction within the ultimate outcome. 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 complete within the boiling seasoning and spices.

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

Washing Crawfish

Rinse the crawfish properly earlier than cooking. You need to use a useful crawfish washer like this one, if you happen to’re diving into the entire full-blown crawfish boil expertise, however it’s also possible to merely wash a smaller quantity in a clear sink. Take away any useless crawfish earlier than cooking.

Whereas some individuals select to salt the water in an try to purge the crawfish, it’s not all the time really useful or confirmed helpful. So, rinse them properly, however save the salt. Nevertheless, if you happen to select to salt/purge them, that’s high quality too.

Should you’ve bought crawfish in a mesh sack, you may submerge it in recent water a number of occasions till the used water is obvious.

The best way to Do a Crawfish Boil

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

Add the onions, lemons, potatoes, and recent pineapple, and convey 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 would like 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 every part 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 sizzling greens and olives.

Use a strainer to drag 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 shiny purple 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’ll 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.