Regional seafood boils are influenced by local species, traditional flavor profiles, and the area’s culture as a whole. Each variation brings its own distinct culinary experience to the table.
In this guide, we’re going to highlight the different types of seafood boils that have turned ordinary one-pot meals into extraordinary communal celebrations. We’ll also provide fascinating facts and statistics that might just surprise you. Let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways
- The main seafood boil types across the United States are: Louisiana Cajun crawfish boils, Lowcountry boils, New England clambakes and lobster boils, Coastal Southeast oyster roasts, and blue crab steams in Maryland and Virginia.
- Despite their names, many seafood boils, bakes, and roasts actually involve steaming!
- Shrimp is the most popular type of seafood across the entire United States.
Explore Seafood Boils by Region
- Louisiana: The Cajun Crawfish Boil
- Coastal Georgia & South Carolina: The Lowcountry Boil
- New England: The New England Clambake & Lobster Boil
- Coastal Southeast: Oyster Roast
- Maryland & Virginia: Chesapeake Blue Crab Steam
The Most Popular Seafood Boils by Region
Seafood Boil Types Across the U.S.
Let’s dive right in!
Louisiana: The Cajun Crawfish Boil
- Here in Louisiana, we’re famous for our Cajun seafood boils – and likely the most famous of all seafood boil types. Cajun seafood boils are more than a regional seafood; they are a regional raison d’etre.
- In Louisiana, crawfish is king, which means everyone has their favorite place to get fresh crawfish, just like we have our favorite place to order king cake for Mardi Gras. At High Performance Cookers, we can’t recommend Louisiana Crawfish Company for live seafood delivered fresh to your door. It’s the next best thing to catching it yourself out of the bayou!
- While crawfish is the most popular type of seafood, many locals love filling their boiling pot with shrimp or crab, too.
- Other staple ingredients include andouille sausage, potatoes, yellow onions, corn, and lemons. The zesty stock is made with Cajun seasonings.
- Like many different types of seafood boils, these communal feasts are social events.
- We power up our crawfish pot and burner in the backyard, line long tables with newspaper, invite friends, family, and neighbors over, and dig in with our hands!
Source: Louisiana Office of Tourism
Coastal Georgia & South Carolina: The Lowcountry Boil
- The Lowcountry boil is famous throughout the Atlantic coast of Georgia and South Carolina.
- Although it’s not technically a stew, Lowcountry boils are often called “Frogmore stew” or “Beaufort stew.”
- The Lowcountry boil is heavily influenced by the cultural and social traditions of the local Gullah-Geechee people.
- Like other different types of seafood boils, using freshly caught regional seafood is highly recommended for the best results.
- A traditional Lowcountry boil recipe is similar to a Louisiana-style seafood boil recipe, but shrimp is the main ingredient and the flavors tend to be milder and less spicy and bold.
- Lowcountry boils can be made with all sorts of seafood besides shrimp. Crawfish, crab legs, and clams are often found in a Lowcountry boil pot.
Source: Charleston Magazine
New England: The New England Clambake & Lobster Boil
- Although the New England clambake isn’t technically a seafood boil type, it’s a very similar social event that involves steaming.
- Contrary to the name, there’s no baking involved! Traditionally, clams, mussels, lobsters, and other seafood are steamed in pits filled with stones and seaweed.
- Like other different types of seafood boils, many of today’s New England clambakes are made with modern pots and steamers for convenience and consistency.
- New England clambakes are popular throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
- Lobster boils are also very popular throughout the New England region, especially in Maine. Common add-ins include clams, kielbasa, and potatoes.
Sources: NewEngland.com and Serious Eats
Coastal Southeast: Oyster Roast
- Much like a New England clambake, an oyster roast isn’t technically a boil, but it’s also not a roast! The oysters are steamed.
- Traditionally, the oysters are steamed on a piece of sheet metal over an open fire. Like other different types of seafood boils, using modern cooking equipment is very common these days.
- Guests are often encouraged to “BYOOK” (Bring Your Own Oyster Knife) for shucking.
- The steamed oysters are traditionally served with saltine crackers, various hot sauces, horseradish, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and plenty of paper towels.
Source: Southern Kitchen
Maryland & Virginia: Chesapeake Blue Crab Steam
- Here we have another seafood boil type that’s technically a seafood steam.
- Popular throughout the Chesapeake Bay area, these social events are common in Maryland and Virginia, with Baltimore being especially famous for them.
- Blue crabs are the main ingredient. Named because of their blue claws, the crabs turn a deep red-orange color when cooked.
- Like other different types of seafood boils, many locals have their own secret recipes. However, it’s very common to use Old Bay.
- When the crabs are steamed, the Old Bay (or other seasoning) forms a delicious crust.
- The steamed crabs are commonly served over butcher’s paper or newspaper.
Sources: Visit Baltimore and Serious Eats
The Most Popular Regional Seafood in the U.S.
Drumroll, please! Let’s wrap things up with a quick look at Americans’ favorite seafoods.
The most popular seafoods in the United States are:
- Shrimp
- Cod
- Salmon
- Swai
- Crab
- Pollock
- Catfish
- Tilapia
- Lobster
- Haddock
That means it’s no surprise that most different types of seafood boils include shrimp as either a primary or optional ingredient! Even if your Cajun seafood boil doesn’t include crawfish, you just might be forgiven if you make sure your seafood sings with the right regional seasonings.
Source: SeafoodSource
Get Ready for Your Next Seafood Boil
This list was created through rigorous research and personal experience. Do you have a favorite regional seafood boil type? Let us know, and order the best seafood boil cooker on the market at High Performance Cookers!
