Corn on the cob pieces, shrimp, smoked sausage, and baby potatoes are all mixed together in this easy chicken and shrimp boil. It’s cooked in a flavored broth then tossed in a seasoned butter. Best part is it’s ready in about 30 minute.
A shrimp boil is one of our favorite summer meals. This hearty dinner is a great way to enjoy summer corn. Plus, it’s loaded with so much flavor from andouille sausage, potatoes, shrimp and Old Bay seasoning.
A lot of sheet pan shrimp boil recipes call for baking them in the oven. But my recipe is the traditional way, which is to cook everything in a big pot on the stove. It’s called a “shrimp boil” for a reason! This seafood boil is so easy that you’ll love it.
A shrimp boil is a classic Southern party food that is perfect for feeding a crowd. With its origins in coastal regions like the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia, shrimp boils have become beloved summertime traditions across the South and beyond.
This one-pot wonder is not only delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. The ingredients all cook together in a seasoned broth, infusing everything with incredible flavors. Then the feast is simply dumped onto a table lined with newspaper for a laidback, communal dining experience.
If you’ve never made a shrimp boil before, you may be wondering—what exactly do you put in it? While recipes can vary slightly based on regional tastes and preferences, there are some key ingredients that form the base of this Southern staple
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the ultimate shrimp boil, including:
- The essential main ingredients
- Popular additions and substitutions
- Tips for choosing the right shrimp
- How to season the broth
- Serving ideas to make it a party
So grab your pot and let’s get boiling!
The Essential Main Ingredients
While you can customize your shrimp boil in many ways there are a few key ingredients that form the base
Shrimp
Of course, no shrimp boil would be complete without shrimp! Traditionally whole shrimp are used with the shells left on. Opt for large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture and flavor. The shells help prevent overcooking and also infuse the broth with their briny shrimp essence. Just make sure your guests have somewhere to discard the shells as they peel and eat.
Smoked sausage
Smoked sausage adds hearty, meaty flavor to balance out the seafood. Kielbasa or andouille sausage are popular choices with a nice spice kick. Cut the sausage into 2-3 inch pieces before adding to the pot.
Potatoes
Potatoes soak up all the incredible flavors of the broth and make the boil even more substantial. Go for small, waxy potatoes like red potatoes or new potatoes. Cut larger potatoes into evenly-sized chunks so they cook at the same rate.
Corn on the cob
What’s a summer cookout without corn on the cob? Leave the husks and silks on while cooking to infuse even more flavor. Just give the ears a good scrub beforehand.
Popular Additional Ingredients
While shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn make up the core of a shrimp boil, there are plenty of other ingredients you can add to customize it:
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Crab – Blue crab is right at home in a Lowcountry boil. Halved crabs or clusters add extra richness.
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Crawfish – Common in Louisiana boils, crawfish bring more briny flavor.
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Clams or mussels – For an all-seafood boil, mix in some clams or mussels to simmer alongside the shrimp.
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Chicken – Smoked chicken legs or bone-in chicken thighs pair nicely with the shrimp and sausage.
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Lobster tails – Fancy up your boil by adding lobster tails for the last few minutes of cooking.
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Onion and garlic – Aromatic onions and garlic cloves add layers of flavor to the broth.
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Lemons – Wedges of lemon brighten the broth and provide a squirt of juice over the finished boil.
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Bay leaves and herbs – Dried bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and other herbs season the broth.
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Spices – Old Bay, cayenne, paprika, peppercorns, and other spices amp up the flavor.
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Butter – A final drizzle or toss with seasoned butter adds richness once removed from the pot.
Tips for Choosing Shrimp
Since shrimp is the star ingredient, you’ll want to choose it carefully:
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Go wild: Wild-caught shrimp have better texture and flavor over farm-raised. Look for fresh shrimp from local waters when possible.
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Shell on: Shrimp cooked in their shells perfume the broth and retain moisture better. Just provide shell crackers.
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Check for size: Opt for large or jumbo shrimp, ideally 16/20 or 21/25 size. Avoid shrimp that are too small.
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Peel & devein: Unless you buy them pre-peeled, you’ll need to peel and devein the shrimp yourself. Save this step for right before adding to the pot.
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Weigh it out: Plan for about 1⁄2 pound of shrimp per person, allowing for other ingredients too.
Seasoning the Broth
The flavorful broth is what really sets a shrimp boil apart. Here are some tips for maximum flavor:
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Use water, not stock: The ingredients will impart plenty of flavor on their own. A neutral water-based broth works best.
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Include aromatics: Onion, garlic, lemon, and herbs create an aromatic backbone.
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Use seafood seasoning: Old Bay and similar spice blends quickly infuse the broth with flavor.
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Amp up the spice: Cayenne, Tabasco, paprika, and black pepper bring the heat.
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Use crab boil bags: These commercial seasoning bags contain the perfect shrimp boil spice mix.
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Cook in stages: Let the potatoes, corn, and sausage simmer first to flavor the broth before adding the shrimp at the end.
Serving Suggestions for a Fun Party Vibe
Beyond the food itself, there are some fun ways to serve your shrimp boil that really make it feel like a party:
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Cover the table in newspaper – Newspaper is the traditional shrimp boil “tablecloth” and soaks up spills for no-fuss cleanup.
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Provide shedding tools – Nutcrackers, small hammers, or lobster picks help crack those shrimp shells.
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Serve in a bucket or cooler – For picnic-style dining, pile the boiled ingredients right into a bucket or cooler lined with newspaper.
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Set out condiments – Offer hot sauce, lemon wedges, drawn butter, and cocktail sauce for DIY flavoring.
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Make it BYOP (bring your own paper) – Have guests bring their own newspaper sheet to use as a personalized placemat.
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Go low-key on plates – Paper or plastic plates keep the casual, no-frills vibe. Or eat with your hands!
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Embrace the mess – Don’t stress over the inevitable piles of shrimp tails and corncobs. That’s part of the fun!
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients and supplies, it’s time for the fun part – cooking and feasting! Here’s a quick rundown of what to do:
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Fill a large stockpot with water, aromatics, and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
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Add potatoes and corn and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
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Add sausage and any other dense ingredients (crab, chicken, etc) and simmer for 5 more minutes.
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Add the shrimp and simmer just until they turn pink, about 3-4 minutes.
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Drain everything into a colander, discarding the broth.
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Dump the delicious boiled ingredients onto a newspaper-lined table and dive in!
The beauty of a shrimp boil is that you really can’t go wrong. The seasonings penetrate everything, so even if something is slightly overcooked, it’s still full of flavor. Just relax and enjoy time together feasting on this incredible spread.
From the classic base to regional twists, what you put in your shrimp boil is up to you. The main thing is gathering around the table with good company to enjoy this amazing Southern tradition. Just be sure to provide plenty of napkins – it’s gonna get messy!
You Will Love This Shrimp Boil Recipe!
- This is a perfectly portioned recipe that serves six people. While many recipes are meant to feed a lot of people, we don’t really do that these days, so I’ve made this one smaller so it’s just right for a family dinner.
- This Old Bay shrimp boil recipe keeps things simple, so you don’t need to buy a bunch of different spices.
- Everything cooks just right! Different things take different amounts of time to cook, so I’m going to show you exactly how to make it so that everything is always just right.
- This dish is so simple that you can make it during the week.
Everything is boiled in the most flavorful seasoned lemon broth and then served with herb butter. It’s so delicious!.
Can You Boil Frozen Shrimp?
You can use frozen shrimp, but they need to be thawed first. If the shrimp are big, they’ll need a lot of time to thaw, so make sure you plan that ahead of time.
EASY Shrimp Boil Recipe
What to add to a Lowcountry shrimp boil?
No Lowcountry shrimp boil is complete without adding hearty helpings of sausage, corn, and potatoes, but additional touches such as aromatic vegetables, seafood boil seasoning, and a bottle or two of beer bring the feast’s flavor up another level.Test kitchen tip: Make sure to add the ingredients in the stages, like the order listed below.
How do you make a shrimp boil at home?
Shrimp boils are a classic festive meal to share with a group. They’re really fun and easy to make at home anytime you need to feed a crowd. Fill a large pot with 6 quarts of water. Cut the whole lemons in half. Squeeze the juice into the water and add the squeezed lemon halves as well. Add the Old Bay, garlic cloves, onion, and salt.
How do you boil shrimp in a 8 Quart Pot?
Here are the basic steps for a shrimp boil in an 8 quart pot: Simmer the broth: Simmer water to make a broth with the shrimp boil seasonings: coriander seeds, celery seeds, Old Bay, bay leaves, a whole garlic head, and lemons. Add the potatoes and onions: Cook for about 20 minutes, until tender. Remove and add the corn: Cook the corn for 5 minutes.
What is a shrimp boil?
A shrimp boil is a large pot of water used to cook shrimp, other types of seafood, sausage, corn, lemon wedges, and potatoes. The ingredients are boiled together in a pot, typically over an outdoor cooker. Once it’s ready, the meal is often served on newspaper-covered tables for easy cleanup.