Liberty County Low Country Boil Guide

There is truly no better way to say hello to summer in the south than indulging in coastal pastimes! Some of our favorite activities are crabbing, shrimping and cooking. Live like a Liberty County native all summer long by using our guide to catch your very own Georgia blue crabs. After you’ve brought your catch inland, toss ‘em into a pot of Low Country Boil and enjoy! Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of bringing several of our favorite things to do together to make a delicious meal.

Crabbing 101: Tips for getting the best haul possible!

• If it is your first time crabbing, tag along with someone who is a seasoned pro and make sure that you’ve got the correct basket!
• Pick up some bait. Raw, uncooked chicken works best. Put it in the well of the basket and “sew” it up.
• Find a place to throw your baskets out! If you’re doing it in open water, make sure you have proper licensing and follow the rules/regulations that have been set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
• Timing is one of the most important parts of getting the perfect catch. Throw your baskets out during mid, outgoing or low incoming tide, and avoid high tide at all costs!
• Do not mess with your traps once they have been thrown out. Pulling them up every couple of hours will make your haul smaller. It is best to wait 24 hours before pulling them up.
• Be careful when moving the crabs from a trap to a pot because they can be vicious. It really hurts when they pinch you, so you will want to have some thick gloves or a “crab grabber” handy. While they are in the bucket, prior to cooking, it is important to keep them either in water or sprayed down.

Interested in cooking up a pot of Low Country Boil using the blue crabs you catch? Keep reading to learn how to do it Liberty County style!

Low Country Boil Guide:

1. Find a cool spot outside, put some water in your pot and turn your burner on! Make sure to leave about 5 inches of room at the top, so it does not overflow when you add the food.
2. Season your water with salt, pepper and a coastal Georgia favorite, Old Bay and let the water come to a boil while you prepare the ingredients.
3. Drop a couple onions in the pot and put the lid on. This helps trap the heat inside and keep the water at a rolling boil. Let them boil by themselves for about 20 minutes to get the water good and seasoned.
4. Now it’s time to add your fresh corn and red potatoes. You can wash and cut them if you’d like, but it’s not a requirement! Fresh veggies taste best, so stop by the Hinesville Farmers Market in Bradwell Park to pick some up.
5. Let these ingredients boil for about 20 minutes before moving on to the next step to ensure that the potatoes are fully cooked.
6. Add your sausage now.
7. Now it’s time to drop your crabs into the pot of boiling water and let them cook for about 20 minutes. Disclaimer – they’ll still be alive in the beginning. If you’re tenderhearted, this is not the task you want to undertake.
8. Add some Georgia White Shrimp and let ‘em cook for 2-4 minutes! You’ll know they’re done when they turn pink. Keep an eye on them though because if they cook too long, the shells will be difficult to remove and the meat will be tough.
9. Pull your basket! All Low Country Boil pots have a basket inside where the food goes, so you don’t have to actually haul the huge pot to the table.
10. We recommend laying out some cardboard boxes to catch the extra juices and then dump your basket of goodies on it!
11. Remember to peel your shrimp and “de-back” the crabs before eating them.
12. Grab your favorite condiments and enjoy!

If you prefer to enjoy Low Country Boil without the cooking effort, #ExploreLiberty at the Sunbury Crab Company, Latin Dreams or the Walthourville Meat Market where they can prepare it for you, ensuring a delicious meal without the work.