Homemade Joe’s Crab Shack-Style Feast
Recreate the fun, messy, and flavorful experience of Joe’s Crab Shack at home with this customizable seafood boil spread. Perfect for a casual gathering or a summer feast!
The Ultimate Seafood Boil Platter
Ingredients
For the Boil:
· 1 gallon water
· 1 (12 oz) bottle lager beer (optional but recommended)
· ½ cup Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning blend)
· ¼ cup kosher salt
· 2 tbsp whole black peppercorns
· 4 bay leaves
· 1 whole lemon, halved
· 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
· 1 large onion, quartered
Seafood & Add-Ins (Choose Your Favorites):
· 2 lbs snow crab clusters or Dungeness crab
· 1 lb large shrimp, shell-on
· 1 lb mussels or clams, scrubbed
· 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
· 1 lb baby red potatoes
· 4 ears of corn, shucked and halved
· 1 onion, cut into wedges
For the Garlic Butter (Essential!):
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
· 6 garlic cloves, minced
· 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
· 1 tbsp chopped parsley
· 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
· Optional kick: ½ tsp cayenne or 1 tbsp hot sauce
To Serve:
· Lemon wedges
· Extra Old Bay seasoning
· Melted butter for dipping
· Optional: Garlic bread, coleslaw, cornbread
Instructions
Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
- In a very large stockpot (or divide between two pots), combine water, beer, Old Bay, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, lemon, garlic, and onion.
- Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 10 minutes to infuse the broth.
Step 2: Cook the Add-Ins
- Add potatoes and sausage. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Add corn and onion wedges. Boil for 5 more minutes.
- Add crab clusters. Boil for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp, mussels, and/or clams. Cook for 3–4 minutes until shrimp are pink and shellfish open (discard any that don’t open).
- Drain immediately—do not overcook!
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
While the boil cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan. Add garlic and cook on low for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, parsley, and seasoning. Keep warm.
Step 4: Assemble & Serve the “Shack” Way
- Traditional method: Drain boil and spread everything onto a newspaper-covered table or large serving platter.
- Drench with half the garlic butter, reserving the rest for dipping.
- Sprinkle with extra Old Bay and garnish with lemon wedges.
Joe’s Signature Dipping Sauces
Creamy Cajun Dipping Sauce:
· ½ cup mayo, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp horseradish, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp lemon juice.
Spicy Cocktail Sauce:
· ½ cup ketchup, 2 tbsp horseradish, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp Worcestershire, dash of hot sauce.
Melted Garlic Butter: (see above) – the star of the show!
Tips for the Authentic Experience
· Get messy! Provide crab crackers, picks, bibs, and lots of napkins.
· Layers of flavor: Season the broth well—it flavors the shellfish and veggies.
· Timing is key: Add ingredients according to cook times to avoid mushy seafood.
· Make it a party: Set up a “build-your-own-boil” bar with different seafood, sauces, and sides.
Why It Works at Home
This method captures the communal, hands-on fun of Joe’s Crab Shack without the wait or price tag. The garlic butter is the secret to that rich, craveable flavor. Serve with cornbread, coleslaw, and cold beer for the full experience.
Gather friends, roll up your sleeves, and dig in! 
