Crawfish Boil Foil Packets (Print Version)

Grilled foil packets with crawfish, corn, potatoes, and sausage for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 pound cooked crawfish tails, peeled
02 - 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, optional

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 ears corn, each cut into 4 pieces
04 - 12 baby potatoes, halved
05 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
06 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Sausage

07 - 8 ounces andouille or smoked sausage, sliced

→ Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

→ Fats and Liquids

14 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large bowl, combine crawfish tails, shrimp if using, corn, potatoes, onion, sausage, and lemon slices.
03 - Drizzle with melted butter and olive oil. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Cut four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each approximately 16 inches. Divide the mixture evenly among the sheets, piling ingredients in the center of each.
05 - Fold up the short sides, then the long sides, sealing each packet tightly to prevent leaks.
06 - Place packets seam-side up on the grill. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until potatoes are fork-tender and seafood is heated through.
07 - Carefully open packets, watching for hot steam. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with extra lemon wedges if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • No boiling water means no steam burns, no mess in your kitchen, and way less cleanup than a traditional crawfish boil.
  • Each packet is totally customizable, so picky eaters can skip the sausage or dial down the heat without fussing with the whole pot.
  • That moment when someone opens their foil packet and the aroma hits them is pure joy, and it feels fancy without being fussy.
02 -
  • Don't skip parboiling the potatoes for 5 minutes before assembly if you're using full-sized ones; I learned this the hard way when I served undercooked potatoes to guests and felt genuinely embarrassed.
  • Heavy-duty foil is not a suggestion; regular foil tears and leaks, and having crawfish juice dripping onto your grill flames creates more drama than any meal should require.
03 -
  • Double-fold your foil seams so steam doesn't escape; I learned this after opening a packet that was more steamed than caramelized, and it genuinely made a difference in the final taste.
  • If you're grilling for a mixed crowd with different spice tolerances, make one packet with no cayenne and one with extra, and everyone stays happy without fussing.
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