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If you love seafood and are looking for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both easy to make and incredibly flavorful, look no further than a seafood bake. Combining succulent shrimp, juicy crab, and tender vegetables with savory seasonings, a seafood bake is the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a summer barbecue, or a festive holiday meal. Cooking a recipe of seafood bake in the oven means minimal prep, easy cleanup, and a dish that’s packed with rich, briny flavors.
Let’s walk through the steps to create a mouthwatering seafood bake recipe that you can whip up with ease. Along the way, you’ll learn tips for how to cook a crab boil in the oven, including exactly how long to cook a seafood boil in the oven for perfect results. This recipe will also help you master a delightful shrimp and crab bake that your guests will rave about.
The beauty of a seafood bake recipe lies in its flexibility. You can use whatever seafood you prefer, but a combination of shrimp, crab legs, and clams creates a classic, flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need for a standard seafood boil recipe in the oven:
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
One pound crab legs
1 pound clams (optional)
One pound baby potatoes
2 ears of corn, cut into quarters
1 onion, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (or any seafood seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup melted butter
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Lemon wedges for serving
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for baking seafood, as it allows the seafood to cook quickly while preserving its delicate texture and flavor.
Rinse your seafood thoroughly, ensuring that the shrimp are peeled and deveined. If you’re using crab legs, make sure they are ready to go—most crab legs sold in stores are already pre-cooked, which is perfect for a crab boil in the oven. Set the seafood aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Cut the baby potatoes in half or quarters, depending on their size, and slice the corn into manageable chunks. These vegetables provide a hearty base to the dish, soaking up the butter and seafood juices as they bake. Add sliced onions and lemon wedges to the mix for an added depth of flavor.
In a large bowl, toss the seafood, vegetables, and lemon slices with melted butter, garlic, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. The Old Bay seasoning is key for giving your seafood bake its classic taste, with its blend of spices enhancing the natural flavors of the seafood.
Spread everything out evenly on a large baking sheet or a roasting pan. For the best results, line your pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Once everything is arranged, cover the tray with an additional layer of foil to lock in moisture and steam the seafood as it bakes. This is the secret to achieving tender, juicy results for your oven crab boil or shrimp and crab bake.
Bake the seafood at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes. During this time, the shrimp will turn pink, the crab legs will heat through, and the potatoes will become tender. Be careful not to overcook the seafood, as it can become tough and rubbery. If you’re adding clams to the dish, make sure they open up during the baking process to ensure they are fully cooked.
Once your seafood bake in the oven is done, remove the foil and give the dish a final sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Crab boil in the oven: The key to a successful crab boil in the oven is using pre-cooked crab legs. This ensures that your crab is heated through without overcooking the delicate meat.
How long to cook seafood boil in the oven: 25-30 minutes at 400°F is the ideal cooking time for most seafood boils. Keep an eye on the shrimp to make sure they don’t overcook.
Shrimp and crab bake: Combining shrimp and crab ensures a delightful mix of textures. The shrimp cook quickly, while the crab legs take on the rich flavors of the seasoning.
A seafood bake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a combination of tender seafood and hearty vegetables with minimal effort. By following this simple seafood bake recipe, you’ll learn how to create a restaurant-quality shrimp and crab bake at home. Cooking a crab boil in the oven is an easy, flavorful way to bring the taste of the coast to your kitchen. With just a few ingredients and a quick bake in the oven, you’ll have a delicious, satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.