The trending seafood boil trend has become a sensation amongst food enthusiasts with its bold flavours and unique style of eating.
Originating from the southern US, a seafood boil traditionally combines a mix of fresh shellfish, such as prawns, crabs, and mussels, with vegetables like potatoes and corn on the cob. Everything is cooked together in one pot, seasoned generously with flavours like garlic, and lemon, before spreading out on the table for everyone to dig in.
Despite this trend originating overseas, it appears that Brits are keen to try it for themselves, as Google searches for “whats in a seafood boil” have increased by more than 5,000% across the UK in the last 30 days. Not only that, but it’s clear that this trend is dominating social media, with over 273,000 posts on TikTok using the #seafoodboil.
A spokesperson from online butchers, Campbells Meat comments,
“Like many viral food trends, the best way to enjoy a seafood boil at home is by adding your own twist to the flavours. Seafood boils often feature seasonings like garlic, cayenne pepper, paprika, and chilli to create spice and depth. However, if you’re planning to include different types of fresh fish, you may want to adjust the seasonings to complement their unique flavours.”
Food experts from Campbells Meat have revealed tips for making your own seafood boil at home.
Choosing your seafood
Start by picking a mix of fresh seafood that you love. Typically, a good seafood boil includes a variety of seafood and fish.
Choose between options such as prawns, crab, lobster, and mussels. When it comes to fish, the experts at Campbells Meat recommend opting for mild, and firm fish fillets such as cod, bass, monkfish or salmon.
When preparing the fish, firstly marinate in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and herbs to suit your taste preferences before adding to the pot.
Finding complementary flavours
When preparing a seafood boil, the right seasoning can make all the difference.
The experts suggest that for prawns and shrimp, their mild taste works well with bold, spicy seasonings such as garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, and lemon for an added zesty kick.
On the other hand, for crab and lobster, it’s important to highlight their natural sweetness through garlic butter, a sprinkle of lemon zest, and fresh herbs like parsley or dill. Whereas for mussels and clams, their salty taste pairs well with garlic, shallots, white wine, and fresh thyme or parsley.
When it comes to more delicate fish, keep the seasoning light with herbs such as dill, tarragon or basil, along with a simple drizzle of olive oil or butter.
Preparing the broth
According to the experts, the key to a great seafood boil is through a well-seasoned broth to complement the natural flavours of the seafood and vegetables.
For example, always start by adding chopped onions, garlic, bay leaves, sliced lemons and herbs to a large pot of boiling water. If you like your seafood boil on the spicy side, opt for cayenne pepper and chilli flakes as seasoning.
The perfect accompaniments
When crafting your seafood boil at home, don’t forget to add your favourite veggies to help soak up the broth and complement the seafood and fish. Corn on the cob and potatoes are a popular choice, but you can also add peppers, onions, carrots and celery.
For more recipe inspiration, visit the Campbells Meat website.
