10 Crawfish Recipes To Make The Most Of Mudbug Season

Crawfish Rolls on a platter with glasses of beer
Photo:

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Does anything say springtime more than a crawfish boil? We think not. While mudbug season runs from November to July, we all know that spring and early summer is the best time for gathering with our family and friends around a newspaper-topped picnic table for a few pounds of crawfish fun. Crawfish boils are a quintessential way to enjoy the crustacean, but we've also rounded up a few other crawfish recipes that are sure to delight a hungry crowd—and are a little less messy. Crawfish cakes and rolls double as appetizers and main dishes, while Crawfish Etouffée is exactly what we want on a rainy night. Plus, we have variations on the boil, from the Texas twist to Viet-Cajun with oranges and lemongrass. What are you waiting for? Run out and buy some (or, should we say, a lot of) crawfish—alive, of course—invite the neighbors, and fire up the stockpot. We'll be right over.

01 of 10

Crawfish Fried Rice

Crawfish fried rice in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

This one-skillet dinner that's ready in just 20 minutes takes a fan-favorite dish and adds a crawfish twist. Best of all, this is one of the few recipes where leftover ingredients enhance the dish. Using leftover rice gives you a crispier finished product.

02 of 10

Crawfish Boil

Crawfish Boil
Southern Living

Nothing says springtime quite like a crawfish boil. Load up on pounds of these mudbugs and invite all your friends for some finger-licking fun. Do not, we repeat, do not skimp on seasoning.

03 of 10

Crawfish Rolls

Crawfish Rolls on a platter with glasses of beer

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

These mini sandwiches are a quick-fix that will satisfy your po'boy or lobster roll cravings. With a smoky, creamy dressing and crunch from celery, these rolls are the ideal appetizer for spring gatherings or make a delicious dinner on their own.

04 of 10

Crawfish Étouffée

Crawfish Étouffée
Southern Living

You'll need a big pot of rice for this creamy crawfish dish. Succulent crawfish are seasoned with onions, celery, bell peppers, and hot sauce; heavy cream ties it all together in a decadent gravy.

05 of 10

Dao Family Crawfish Boil

Dao Family Viet-Cajun Crawfish Boil in Houston, TX
Cedric Angeles

If you love a good crawfish cookout, you'll want to try the Dao Family Crawfish Boil recipe. After boiling the crawfish in your preferred seasoning, you'll dump them in an ice chest with the Dao Family Crawfish Sauce (the orange peels are the zingy twist you didn't know you needed), let them sit, and then dig in.

06 of 10

Crawfish Dip

Crawfish Dip

We guarantee you need this dip at your next party. Cream cheese, heavy cream, and extra-sharp cheddar ensure that this is the dreamiest dip of them all, and we don't skimp on the seasoning, either. Cayenne, Creole mustard, and hot sauce all find their way into the mix. Serve with a crusty baguette.

07 of 10

Crawfish Cakes

Crawfish Cakes
Southern Living

Succulent crawfish, crispy breadcrumbs, and plenty of flavoring (read: Cajun seasoning, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce) make these crawfish cakes a delectable appetizer. You could even repurpose them as a main dish in the form of sliders.

08 of 10

Viet-Cajun Crawfish Boil

Plated Vietnamese-Cajun Crawfish Boil and Fried Rice
Cedric Angeles

It's the crawfish seasoning you know and love with the addition of fish sauce, lemongrass, and cilantro. Get the pot going; we're on our way.

09 of 10

Creamy Crawfish Soup

Creamy crawfish soup in a bowl on a plate with a spoon.

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

For those still-brisk spring evenings, bring the flavors of crawfish to your table with this rich bisque. This Cajun-Creole dish gets its depth of flavor from seafood stock, crawfish tails, and an unexpected fennel bulb.

10 of 10

Hot Crawfish Dip

Hot Crawfish Dip

Will Dickey

While you'll find this creamy crawfish dip on many tables during Mardi Gras celebrations, because the recipe calls for frozen crawfish, it's easy to make year-round as well. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crunchy veggies.

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