Canadian Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce
If you’re looking for the ultimate Canadian seafood dinner, this Canadian Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce is loaded with East Coast-inspired flavor in every bite. Packed with snow crab, juicy shrimp, PEI mussels, baby potatoes, sweet corn, and tossed in a rich garlic lemon herb butter sauce, this easy one-pot seafood boil is perfect for summer gatherings, cottage weekends, holidays, or cozy family dinners at home.
This recipe is part of our Great Canadian Series
Unlike traditional Cajun seafood boils, this Canadian-inspired version keeps things simple, buttery, fresh, and family-friendly while highlighting some of Canada’s most loved coastal seafood ingredients. The combination of garlic butter, fresh dill, lemon, and a touch of maple creates a rich yet balanced flavor that tastes restaurant-worthy without being complicated to make.
The best part? This entire seafood boil comes together in about 40 minutes using one large pot, making cleanup easy and stress-free.
Whether you’re hosting friends for a backyard seafood feast or just craving a comforting seafood dinner, this Canadian Seafood Boil is guaranteed to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Canadian Seafood Boil
- Easy one-pot dinner
- Packed with Canadian seafood flavors
- Ready in about 40 minutes
- Family-friendly and customizable
- Perfect for summer entertaining
- Loaded with buttery garlic flavor
- Easier than a traditional seafood boil
What Makes This Seafood Boil Canadian?
This recipe takes inspiration from Canada’s East Coast seafood traditions by using ingredients commonly found across coastal Canada, including:
- PEI mussels
- Snow crab
- Atlantic shrimp
- Fresh dill
- Garlic herb butter
- A touch of maple syrup
The result is a lighter, buttery seafood boil that feels cozy, fresh, and uniquely Canadian.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Seafood
- Snow crab clusters
- Large shrimp
- PEI mussels
- Scallops (optional)
Vegetables
- Baby red potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Lemon slices
Garlic Butter Sauce
- Butter
- Fresh garlic
- Old Bay seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Fresh dill
- Parsley
- Lemon juice
- Maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Canadian Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce
Tips for the BEST Seafood Boil
Use Fresh Seafood When Possible
Fresh mussels and shrimp create the best flavor and texture. If using frozen seafood, thaw completely before cooking.
Don’t Overcook the Seafood
Shrimp and scallops cook quickly. Add them near the end to keep everything juicy and tender.
Add Extra Garlic Butter
Serve extra warm garlic butter on the side for dipping bread and seafood.
Customize the Heat Level
For a spicy version, add Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.
What to Serve with Seafood Boil
This seafood boil pairs perfectly with:
- Crusty bread
- Garlic toast
- Coleslaw
- Caesar salad
- Rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Cold lemonade or iced tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make seafood boil ahead of time?
Seafood boils are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Can I use lobster?
Absolutely! Lobster tails make a delicious addition to this Canadian seafood boil.
What seafood works best?
Snow crab, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and lobster all work beautifully in this recipe.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes! This version is naturally mild and family-friendly.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with extra butter to keep the seafood tender.
Final Thoughts
This Canadian Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce is everything you want in a comforting seafood dinner — buttery, flavorful, easy to make, and packed with East Coast-inspired ingredients. It’s the perfect recipe for sharing with family and friends and makes any dinner feel like a special coastal feast.
If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and share your seafood boil creations!
Canadian Seafood Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- Seafood
- 1 lb snow crab clusters
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb PEI mussels, cleaned
- ½ lb sea scallops (optional)
- Vegetables
- 1 lb baby red potatoes
- 3 ears corn, cut into thirds
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Potatoes
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the baby potatoes and cook for 12–15 minutes until fork tender.
Step 2: Add the Corn
Add the corn pieces to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes.
Step 3: Cook the Seafood
Carefully add the snow crab clusters, shrimp, mussels, and scallops. Cover and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and the mussels open.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
While the seafood cooks, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, dill, parsley, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Step 5: Drain and Serve
Drain the seafood boil carefully and transfer everything to a large serving platter or parchment-lined table.
Step 6: Add the Sauce
Pour the warm garlic butter sauce generously over the seafood boil. Garnish with extra lemon slices, parsley, and dill if desired.
Step 7: Enjoy
Serve immediately with crusty bread, extra garlic butter, and lemon wedges.
Notes
Recipe Notes
For extra heat, add Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.
Lobster tails make a delicious addition for special occasions.
Fresh seafood works best, but frozen seafood can also be used once thawed.
Discard any mussels that do not open after cooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 940Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 27gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 432mgSodium: 2852mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 78g
These calculations are based off Nutritionix