In true West Virginia fashion, I just returned home from a Myrtle Beach vacation. I’m on a mission to enjoy the destinations that light up any mountaineer’s heart (Myrtle Beach & Gatlinburg, am I right? LOL) for as little as possible. I’m not hard to please when it comes to vacation. Give me Myrtle Beach crab legs and Dollywood cinnamon bread and you’ve given me the world.
So What’s An All You Can Eat Buffet Cost in 2023?
Even though we came to Myrtle prepared to low country boil our asses off, we still ate at a buffet. It just felt mandatory. It’s really not.
They’re all about the same. I don’t even remember the name of the one we ate at. We ate at lunch which was possibly a little cheaper. For two adults and a four year old it was $165.00 after a 20% tip.
The food was fine. It just wasn’t worth it to me. We’re a small family. I would have a HARD time choking that up for a family of four or a large extended family vacationing together.
DIY Low Country Boil
Some things to be noted when planning this out is we camp. If anyone asks me if they should get a camper the answer is always YES. You have to buy the camper, but traveling is SO much cheaper when you roll in with your own roof over your head.
You don’t need a camper or to be at the beach to low country boil, you just need a big pot and a heat source. We prepared ours outside with our camper’s outdoor stove. I wouldn’t necessarily purchase a device solely for outdoor low country boils unless you plan on using it a few times a year.
What I Bought
- 5 lbs crab legs
- 1 package kielbasa sausage
- 1 bag lemons
- 1 bag red potatoes
- 4 lbs peeled raw shrimp
- 6 fresh ears of corn
- 3 Old Bay crab oil liquid concentrates
- 2 boxes garlic Texas toast
- 1 small tub of butter
- 1 bottle cocktail sauce
- 1 tub sour cream
- PICTURED BUT NOT USED – onions; They didn’t pan out. Skip the onions.
You will also need a large stock pot and a strainer.
How To Boil
- Fill stock pot about half to over half way full of water. Add one bottle crab boil concentrate. Halve two lemons, squeeze in juice, and throw in. Add other dry spices you may like. The food REALLY soaks up the seasoning, so be careful with hot spices. Cover pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add 2-3 large diced red potatoes. Dice to smaller bite size pieces so that they cook thoroughly. Cover pot. Set timer to 12 minutes.
3. Add 1/3 package kielbasa, sliced. Add 2 ears of corn cut into thirds. Cover pot. Set timer for 7 minutes.
4. Add 1.5-2 lbs crab legs, approximately 4 clusters. Cover pot. Set time for 6 minutes.
5. Add 1 lb, approximately a quarter bag shrimp. Cover pot. Set timer for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat source. Let cool a few minutes. Strain VERY carefully. That shh is HOT! Return contents to pot.
How To Serve
- If you’re outdoors with a wooden picnic table cover table with newspaper. Pour contents of pot directly unto the table. Bring out plastic forks, paper towels, salt, pepper, butter, sour cream, cocktail sauce, and texas toast. Eat directly from the table. This way is so FUN!
- If you are indoors or using a plastic picnic table DO NOT pour directly on the table. It’s too hot. It’ll jack the table up. Place pot with trivet onto table. Bring all your fixings. Serve on paper plates for easier cleanup but any plate will work.
What Did I Spend?
For the list above, between Sam’s Club for crab legs and shrimp, Aldi for the veggies, and Walmart for the condiments I spent $96. The recipe is for ONE low country boil, but with the amount the packaging provides we had enough ingredients for THREE.
That’s THREE crab leg dinners that will feed four people for $96! Let’s break that down to price per dinner – $32 a dinner! That is truly staggering. Would you rather spend $165 for that crab leg magic or $32? Even at $96, you get to enjoy the meal more than once.
I’m not going to lie, my crab legs were better. I’m not an amazing cook my any means. I like things cheap and easy, but… my boil tasted better than the restaurant and the crab came out of the shell smoother.
Winner Winner Crab Leg Dinner
It’s so fun to do your own low country boil. Sure there’s something to be said about eating out, not preparing your food, and not worrying about clean up. A low country boil, however, is one hell of a time! Saving money, having fun, and tasting better? Yes to all of those, please.
My Favorite Stock Pot
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