Red Lobster Sailor’s Seafood Boil: Price, Calories, Menu & Full Review
View full Red Lobster Menu with Prices 2026
The Sailor’s Seafood Boil is one of Red Lobster’s most talked-about menu items a tableside seafood feast built around two dozen shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes, all served steaming hot in a shake-and-serve bag. Since its debut, the dish has become a viral favorite, with diners sharing their “shake and serve” experience across social media. Here’s a complete breakdown of what’s in it, how much it costs, its calorie count, and how it stacks up against Red Lobster’s other seafood boil options. For pricing on everything else Red Lobster serves.
Red Lobster’s Sailor’s Seafood Boil is a shake-and-serve bag meal with two dozen shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes. It starts at $32.99 (some locations: $34.99–$39.99) and runs 2,600–3,040 calories across 6 flavors: Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Old Bay & Butter Sauce, Lemon Pepper, RL Signature, and New Mike’s Hot Honey®. It’s the more affordable alternative to the Mariner’s Boil (~$50–$55), which swaps sausage for lobster tail and crab legs. Available dine-in as an individual portion, or as a Family Meal (serves 4–5) for delivery/to-go.
What’s Inside the Sailor’s Seafood Boil?
According to Red Lobster’s official menu, the standard Sailor’s Boil includes:
- Two dozen shrimp
- Smoked sausage, sliced
- Corn on the cob, cut into pieces
- Red potatoes, halved
Everything is cooked together and delivered to the table in a sealed bag, which is meant to be shaken to coat all the ingredients evenly in butter and seasoning before serving — part of the appeal is this interactive, hands-on presentation. If you have shellfish allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s worth reviewing Red Lobster’s ingredients and allergen guide before ordering, or checking their gluten-free menu for suitable alternatives.
Flavor Options & Pricing
The base price for the Sailor’s Seafood Boil is $32.99, with a calorie range of 2,600–3,040 depending on the flavor you pick. Diners can choose from six seasoning options when ordering:
| Flavor | Calories |
| Roasted Garlic | 1,720 |
| Cajun | 1,280 |
| Old Bay & Butter Sauce | 1,290 |
| Lemon Pepper | 1,590 |
| RL Signature | 1,550 |
| New Mike’s Hot Honey® | 1,300 |
Extra Spice (pick up to 1): Spicy (+20 calories), Extra Spicy (+50 calories), or New Scorchin’® (+110 calories).
Boil Add-Ons (pick up to 2): Add Cajun Sausage — $5.99 / 380 calories.
Extra for Dunking (pick as many as you want, $3.49 each, 4 oz portions): Cajun (650 cal), Old Bay & Butter Sauce (590 cal), RL Signature (750 cal), Roasted Garlic (850 cal), Lemon Pepper (670 cal), New Mike’s Hot Honey® (650 cal).
Add to Any Meal: Snow Crab Legs, 1/2 lb ($14.99, 380 cal), Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops ($11.49, 220 cal), Grilled Shrimp ($6.99, 250 cal), Garlic Shrimp Scampi ($6.99, 220 cal) — see the full shrimp meals menu for more options — and Garlic Linguini Alfredo ($7.99, 540 cal), part of the pasta and bowls menu.
Add a Beverage: Pepsi®, Diet Pepsi®, Pepsi® Zero Sugar, Dr Pepper®, STARRY® Lemon-Lime, Mountain Dew®, MUG® Root Beer, Unsweet Iced Tea, Classic Lemonade, Perrier Sparkling Water — all $3.99, except Classic Lemonade ($4.79) and Perrier ($3.59). See the full drinks and beverages menu for more choices.
This makes the Sailor’s Boil a noticeably more affordable option compared to the Mariner’s Seafood Boil, which swaps the smoked sausage for a Maine lobster tail and snow crab legs and typically runs closer to $50–$55.
Calories & Nutrition
The Sailor’s Seafood Boil is a substantial, calorie-dense meal — closer to a “meal for the table” than a light entrée. The dish itself ranges from 2,600 to 3,040 calories depending on the flavor chosen, and that’s before add-ons, extra dunking sauces, or beverages, which can push the total meal significantly higher.
Given these numbers, it’s worth noting this dish is well above a typical daily calorie allowance in a single serving, and it’s high in sodium and saturated fat as well — something to keep in mind if you’re tracking intake or planning to split it with someone. For a full nutritional breakdown across the menu, see Red Lobster’s nutrition guide.
Family Meal Option
For larger groups, Red Lobster also offers a Sailor’s Seafood Boil Family Meal, which serves 4–5 people and is available exclusively for to-go or delivery orders (not for dine-in). It includes the same core ingredients shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes scaled up, with your choice of flavor. Browse more group options on the family meals menu, or check the catering menu if you’re feeding an even bigger crowd.
Sailor’s Boil vs. Mariner’s Boil
| Sailor’s Seafood Boil | Mariner’s Seafood Boil | |
| Protein | Two dozen shrimp + smoked sausage | Maine lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs |
| Price | ~$34.99–$39.99 | ~$50–$55 |
| Calories | ~2,600–3,040 | Higher, due to lobster and crab |
| Best for | Budget-conscious diners, shrimp lovers | Special occasions, bigger seafood appetite |
The core difference comes down to the protein: the Sailor’s Boil leans on shrimp and sausage for a more affordable, Louisiana-style boil, while the Mariner’s Boil trades the sausage for lobster tail and crab legs at a higher price point.
Review: Is It Worth It?
Diner feedback on the Sailor’s Boil has generally been positive. Reviewers note that the shrimp holds up well texturally — not rubbery from overcooking, not mushy from undercooking and that the smoked sausage adds a noticeably smoky, salty depth that soaks up the butter sauce nicely. The Cajun butter flavor in particular gets called out for balancing heat with richness.
The overall verdict from most reviews: at its price point, the Sailor’s Boil delivers a generous, flavorful portion with real “shareable” value, even if it’s not a fine dining experience. It’s positioned as the accessible entry point into Red Lobster’s seafood boil lineup, rather than the show-stopping option; that role belongs to the Mariner’s Boil.
Nearby Alternative Seafood Boil Spots
If Red Lobster’s version leaves you wanting to explore more Cajun-style boil options, here are a few well-rated, customizable seafood boil restaurants in the San Jose/Santa Clara area:
- Cajun Crack’n Milpitas (4.7 rating) — Known for fresh shrimp and scallop boils with custom house sauces, plus garlic noodles and a sports-bar atmosphere.
- The Boiling Crab – San Jose (4.5 rating) — A popular, high-energy chain specializing in boil-in-bag Cajun-spiced crawfish, Dungeness crab, king crab legs, and shrimp.
- Cap’t Loui – Cupertino (4.6 rating) — Praised for generous portions, high-quality seafood, and a standout smoked sausage add-in.
These spots offer a more build-your-own boil experience compared to Red Lobster’s fixed menu format, for anyone who wants to customize their protein mix, spice level, and sauce from scratch.
Save on Your Order
Before you order, it’s worth checking Red Lobster’s current deals and specials, the happy hour menu for discounted appetizers and drinks, and the rewards program for members-only offers. Gift cards are also available if you’re planning a boil night as a treat for someone else.
Explore More of the Red Lobster Menu
Looking to plan a full meal around your Sailor’s Boil? Here’s the rest of the menu broken down by category:
- All Menus Overview
- Dinner Menu
- Lunch Menu
- Appetizers Menu
- Bowls & Sandwiches
- Soups & Sides
- Biscuits & Extras
- Land & Sea Classics
- Signature Feasts
- Hot Platters
- Dessert Menu
- Kids Menu
- Senior Menu
- Secret Menu
FAQ
Is the Sailor’s Seafood Boil available for dine in?
Yes, the standard individual portion is available for dine-in. The larger Family Meal version, however, is to-go/delivery only.
How many calories are in the Sailor’s Seafood Boil?
Roughly 2,600 calories with Cajun Butter, up to about 3,040 calories with Roasted Garlic Butter.
What’s the difference between the Sailor’s and Mariner’s Boil?
The Sailor’s Boil uses shrimp and smoked sausage; the Mariner’s Boil replaces the sausage with Maine lobster tail and snow crab legs, and costs more.
How much does the Sailor’s Seafood Boil cost?
The base price is $32.99, though it can run up to $39.99 depending on location and any add-ons.
Can you customize the flavor?
Yes — choose from Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Old Bay & Butter Sauce, Lemon Pepper, RL Signature, or New Mike’s Hot Honey®, with adjustable spice levels at many locations.
What all comes with a seafood boil?
The Sailor’s Seafood Boil comes with two dozen shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes, all served in a hot shake-and-serve bag with your choice of flavor. You can also customize it further with extra spice levels, add-on proteins like snow crab legs or scallops, and dunking sauces.
Where’s the best place to get a seafood boil?
Red Lobster’s Sailor’s and Mariner’s Boils are a solid, accessible option if you want a sit-down or delivery experience with fixed portions. If you’d rather build your own boil with more customization, dedicated Cajun-style boil spots like Cajun Crack’n Milpitas, The Boiling Crab, or Cap’t Loui tend to offer a more hands-on, made-to-order experience.
Why is a seafood boil so expensive?
Seafood boils are priced higher than typical entrées because they pack in large quantities of shellfish and proteins (shrimp, crab, lobster, sausage), which carry high ingredient costs. The portion sizes are also meant to be shared or provide leftovers, and the labor-intensive preparation boiling, seasoning, and packaging in a shake-and-serve bag — adds to the overall cost.
Price disclaimer
Prices, calorie counts, and available flavors can vary by location and change over time — check your local Red Lobster or the official menu page for the most current details.