Make this classic Old Bay Shrimp boil recipe in advance and chill. Serve with cocktail sauce or butter and watch these Boiled Old Bay Shrimp disappear!.
Boiling shrimp is a quick and easy way to cook up a flavorful, beachy meal. While shrimp can be boiled in just water, seasoning the cooking liquid amplifies the flavor. This is where Old Bay comes in – the classic seafood seasoning blends perfectly with sweet, briny shrimp. I’ll walk through how to boil shrimp with Old Bay to achieve tender, juicy results every time.
Why Boil with Old Bay?
Old Bay’s unique blend of herbs and spices was created specifically to season seafood like shrimp, It includes
- Celery salt – Provides a salty, savory depth
- Mustard – Adds tanginess
- Paprika – Provides a subtle smokiness
- Black pepper – Gives a gentle heat
- Other spices like ginger, mace, and cloves
This proprietary blend infuses the shrimp as it gently cooks in the boiling seasoned liquid Old Bay penetrates the flesh while allowing the natural sweetness to shine through
Boiling also cooks the shrimp quickly and evenly. The hot liquid heats the shrimp both internally and externally, so they turn out plump and tender. Old Bay gives a flavor boost while maintaining the juicy texture.
Choosing Shrimp for Boiling
Picking the right shrimp is key for optimal results:
- Size – Opt for large or jumbo to up the meaty texture
- Shell – Leave shells on while boiling to preserve moisture
- Vein – Devein before or after for ease of eating
- Fresh vs. frozen – Either works fine
- Raw vs. cooked – Only use raw (the cooking process will cook them)
- Shellfish quality – Ensure they smell fresh, not fishy
I like using raw, shell-on jumbo shrimp for the best flavor and bite. But the method works with any shrimp variety.
Step-by-Step Boiling Instructions
Follow these simple steps for foolproof Old Bay shrimp:
Gather Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Water
- Salt
- Lemon wedges
- Melted butter (optional)
Prepare the Pot
- Fill a large pot with 4 quarts of water for 1 pound of shrimp.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of Old Bay and 1-2 teaspoons salt.
- Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Cook the Shrimp
- Once boiling, add shrimp and stir.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and curled.
- Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
Season and Serve
- Peel the shrimp if desired.
- Add more Old Bay and lemon juice to taste.
- Serve warm with melted butter for dipping if you’d like.
That’s all it takes for irresistibly seasoned boiled shrimp with Old Bay!
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
There are some additional tricks to take your Old Bay shrimp to the next level:
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Soak it up – Let shrimp marinate in the seasoned water for 5-10 minutes before turning up the heat. This allows maximum Old Bay absorption.
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Spice it up – Add extra Old Bay, crab boil, or cayenne pepper for an extra flavor and heat kick.
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Splash it up – Pour in lemon juice or beer for additional zing and complexity.
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Bulk it up – Leave shells on while cooking to boost broth flavor, then peel afterward.
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Finish it off – Brush with melted garlic butter after cooking for even more richness.
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Chill it out – Serve shrimp chilled for a cool, refreshing twist. Old Bay still shines when icy cold.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with add-ins and serving styles until you find your favorite.
Common Questions
If you’re new to boiling shrimp with Old Bay, you may have some questions. Here are answers to some common FAQs:
How much Old Bay do you add to the water?
As a general rule, use 2-3 tablespoons of Old Bay per 4 quarts of boiling water. Adjust to taste based on your spice preferences.
Do you peel the shrimp before or after boiling?
Leave the shells on while boiling for best flavor, then peel afterward if desired. Peeling beforehand will make the shrimp absorb water and become mushy.
How long should you boil shrimp with Old Bay?
Cook large raw shrimp for just 2-3 minutes in boiling seasoned water. Any longer and they’ll become rubbery. Shrimp cooks quickly, so set a timer to avoid overcooking.
Can you use beer or wine instead of water?
Yes! Adding a half can of beer or a cup of white wine contributes great flavor complexity. Just reduce the water slightly.
Is it better to devein shrimp before boiling?
Deveining ahead of time makes the finished shrimp easier to eat. But leaving veins in adds more shrimp flavor to the cooking liquid. Your call!
Can you reheat boiled shrimp?
Absolutely – just reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a bit of butter. Take care not to overcook pre-cooked shrimp.
An Old Bay Shrimp Boil Feast
For a real low country boil feast, expand the recipe beyond just shrimp:
- Potatoes – Boil mini red potatoes.
- Corn – Add cobs of corn during the last 5 minutes.
- Sausage – Throw in smoked kielbasa or andouille sausage.
- Onion – Wedges add sweetness.
- Garlic – Whole cloves grow mellow and spreadable.
- Crab legs – Splurge on some Dungeness or snow crab.
- Spices – Cajun seasoning, cayenne, crab boil, bay leaves, lemon.
Pile everything together on a table covered in paper for a fun, hands-on experience. Don’t forget plenty of napkins, melted butter, lemon wedges, and ice cold beer.
Make It a Meal
Beyond the boil itself, you need some delicious sides to round out the meal:
- Coleslaw – Crunchy, vinegary, and cooling. The perfect complement.
- Cornbread – Slightly sweet, perfectly soak up broth.
- Baked beans – Smokey and savory.
- Potato salad – Creamy texture contrasts the shrimp.
- Corn on the cob – Grilled or boiled, slathered in butter.
- Hushpuppies – Crispy outsides with fluffy insides.
- Mac and cheese – You can never go wrong.
- Watermelon – Juicy, fresh and thirst-quenching.
I like to keep sides simple to let the star flavors shine – boiled shrimp with Old Bay! It makes for an easy, fun, and totally tasty summer meal. Give it a try and get ready to dig in.
The Bottom Line
Boiling shrimp in an Old Bay seasoning bath is one of the quickest and tastiest ways to prepare them. The classic seafood spice blend infuses incredible flavor into the sweet, briny shrimp. Just be careful not to overcook them. Paired with simple corn, slaw, and potatoes, you’ve got an amazing feast.
Old Bay truly takes boiled shrimp to new heights. Ditch the plain boiling water and level up your shrimp cookouts with this easy Old Bay method. Just make sure to have plenty of napkins and cold beer on hand!
OLD BAY SHRIMP BOIL RECIPE
Have you ever really wanted something but couldn’t get it? That’s what my husband felt like. He wanted these Old Bay Shrimp.
That’s right, he learned at his 16th birthday party that he was severely allergic to shellfish—as in, needing to be taken to the hospital right away for anaphylaxis.
As a parent myself, I can’t stand to think about how horrible it must have been for my mother-in-law when she saw her son having trouble breathing and didn’t know why.
After many years of avoiding all shellfish, it was still fun to go on clam bakes, crab-eating trips to Baltimore, and a road trip through coastal Maine where someone made someone who is allergic to shellfish stop at every stand to get real clam chowder.
All the while, all he wanted was a big bowl of Old Bay Shrimp.
To sit and eat them, dirty fingers and all, in peace, with some spicy cocktail sauce.
Because you can “out-grow” an allergy, our son’s pediatrician told my husband to get tested for his shellfish allergy again after we had our son. Who knew?.
Yep, you guessed it – Mr. EverydayMaven is no longer allergic to shellfish or any food for that matter.
We learned this about a year ago, and I’m ashamed to say I just now got around to making this for him.
Yes, he loved it.
And, ate one pound by himself in peace, dirty fingers and all.
How long does it take to make a shrimp boil?
Not long at all. With the time it takes to prepare, this Old Bay shrimp boil recipe can be done and put in the fridge in about 10 minutes. It will only take an extra minute or two if you make your own cocktail sauce for the shrimp.