Seafood boils are (quite literally) steeped in Cajun tradition. Here in Louisiana, people have been getting together to boil crawfish, shrimp, and other seafood since the 1700s. Good food with good company—what better way to pass a good time?
The classic crawfish boil is a classic for a reason. That said, sometimes you may want to change it up to keep things interesting. We know a thing or two about seafood boils, so we decided to share our favorite extras. Discover your new not-so-secret ingredients right here!
Lagniappe is a Cajun-French term that means a little something extra. Here in Louisiana, adding a little something extra for good measure is a longstanding tradition that goes hand-in-hand with seafood boils. The right shrimp and crawfish boil add-ins will surprise and delight your guests, taking the basic seafood boil concept and elevating it to the next level.
A standard crawfish boil recipe usually includes crawfish, seafood boil seasoning, sausage, potatoes, corn, onions, celery, garlic, and lemons. Of course, every Louisianan has their own go-to approach but that’s what a typical boil looks like.
While those staples are absolutely mouthwatering, adding unexpected extras can bring exciting new flavors to the pot. And, experimenting with your culinary creations naturally improves your skills as a boil master.
Let’s explore some of the best crawfish boil add-ins that bring that welcoming lagniappe feel to the table.
Before we dive into the ingredients, it’s important to note that you’ll need to consider the timing of each ingredient. See our crawfish boil recipe to find similar foods and which stage to add them to your boil. For example, you could add sweet potatoes at the same time as your standard potatoes. Besides crawfish, the following ingredients also make great shrimp boil add-ins.
Sweet potatoes are a great addition because they have the familiar texture of potatoes, but with a slightly different flavor profile. We like slicing these crawfish boil add-ins into medallions to differentiate them from the other potatoes and add a vibrant splash of color.
Brussels sprouts do much more than add speckles of green to the spread. They absorb spices extremely well and burst with flavor. And the hearty texture is so satisfying. Once you try them, you may never want to boil without them!
Green beans provide a crisp, fresh bite and snap that complements the crawfish and other softer ingredients. The contrasting texture is a change of pace that really keeps things interesting. They taste great, too!
Like Brussels sprouts, asparagus are crawfish boil add-ins that soak up those rich flavors quite nicely, taking on big flavors you might not expect. They also add an upscale touch to the meal.
Mushrooms are a crowd favorite. They turn into spicy, tender morsels packed with bold flavor. Button mushrooms are the classic choice, but feel free to try others.
Pineapple brings a festive, tropical twist to the occasion. The natural sweetness and tanginess balance out the spices very nicely.
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We hope you enjoy these crawfish and shrimp boil add-ins as much as we do. Keep reading our boil blog for more expert tips that’ll add a “little something extra” to every get-together. Make your seafood boil less stressful with Boil Boss!
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Nothing beats Mardi Gras, especially when you’re celebrating with a Fat Tuesday crawfish boil. In Louisiana, indulging in a proper seafood boil is a favorite pastime among the locals and a rite of passage for new residents and guests. It’s no surprise the tradition is closely intertwined with Mardi Gras—the holiday celebrated around the world, but especially here in the Pelican State.
South Louisiana’s Cajun seafood boils are world-famous. Much more than just a delicious and hearty meal, seafood boils are all-day events for friends and family to enjoy together. Good food and good company—you can’t beat it. While lobster isn’t traditionally the star of the show, it’s a great way to change up the classic Louisiana crawfish boil.