Our shrimp and crawfish Our powdered boil always gets the job done right because it has just the right amount of garlic, onion, paprika, and lemon. Nothing to mix–just pour and boil!.
Our shrimp and crawfish Now you’re thinking outside the pot!.
This baked potato is twice as good as the average one. It tastes like a seafood boil, and our Cajun spice blend gives it a Louisiana flair. David Dean (Double D) from our sales department says that for a fun twist, you should “top the tater” with your favorite smothered seafood!
A steaming pot of shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage simmering in a bath of zesty, spice-infused broth—that’s the iconic Louisiana shrimp boil. Getting the seasoning just right is key to bringing the flavors of this classic Bayou recipe to life. The right amount of Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning gives the shellfish, vegetables, and sausage a robust, balanced flavor without overpowering.
As a fan of Southern cooking and seafood boils, I’ve experimented with many different brands and amounts of shrimp boil seasonings over the years. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how much Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning you really need for finger-licking, crowd-pleasing results.
An Overview of Louisiana Shrimp Boil Seasoning
Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning is a spice blend that typically contains some combination of salt, garlic, lemon, onions, cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, thyme, paprika, and other herbs and spices It captures that distinctive Creole and Cajun flavor profile
The seasoning is what infuses the boiling water with robust, spicy flavor that permeates the shellfish, sausage, potatoes, and corn. It turns a pot of disparate ingredients into a cohesive and delicious one-pot meal
Premade shrimp boil seasoning mixes make preparing this flavorful dish fast and foolproof. You can also make your own from scratch, but using a pre-blended Commercial seasoning helps ensure you achieve an authentic Louisiana taste with minimal effort.
How Much Seasoning to Use Per Quart of Water
For most commercial Louisiana-style shrimp boil seasonings, the standard recommended amount is around 2-3 tablespoons per quart of water. This provides bold seasoning that evenly coats the ingredients without being overpowering.
However, every brand of shrimp boil seasoning is a little different in terms of salt content, spice level, and flavor balance. It’s important to carefully read the instructions on the package for the specific seasoning you are using and follow its recommended ratio.
As a general guideline for a medium-spicy boil, I recommend starting with about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per quart of water. You can then taste test the broth and adjust up or down to your preferred intensity.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Flavor
Here are some of my top tips for getting the most flavor and the right spice level from your Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning:
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Start with less seasoning – you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once over-seasoned!
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Add other fresh herbs and aromatics – like lemon slices, bay leaves, garlic, and onions – to complement the spice blend.
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Stir the seasoning in well before adding the ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
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Boil extra potatoes first to help season the water before adding delicate shrimp or sausage.
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Consider using half the recommended amount of seasoning in the initial boil and saving the rest to add directly to the cooked ingredients for an extra flavor punch.
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For milder boils, reduce the amount of seasoning and finish with boiled lemon slices, garlic butter, or hot sauce.
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Buy smaller amounts of different brands to test and find your favorite go-to seasoning for perfect flavor every time.
Handy Table for Louisiana Shrimp Boil Seasoning Ratios
To take the guesswork out of how much seasoning to use, here is a handy reference table with general guidelines:
| Amount of Water | Starting Amount of Louisiana Seasoning |
|---|---|
| 1 quart | .5-1 oz or 2-3 tablespoons |
| 2 quarts | 1-2 oz or 4-6 tablespoons |
| 3 quarts | 1.5-3 oz or 6-9 tablespoons |
| 4 quarts | 2-4 oz or 8-12 tablespoons |
| 5 quarts | 2.5-5 oz or 10-15 tablespoons |
These ratios can be adjusted based on your specific seasoning, desired spice level, and personal taste preferences. Start on the lower end and add more to reach your perfect balance of flavor.
Choosing the Best Louisiana Shrimp Boil Seasoning
With so many brands of shrimp boil seasoning mixes on the market, how do you choose? Here are a few tips for picking one that will deliver an authentic Louisiana shrimp boil flavor:
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Look for brands made in Louisiana for true local flavor.
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Check the ingredient list for iconic spices like cayenne, paprika, black pepper, garlic, and lemon.
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Make sure the seasoning is salt-free or low sodium, so you can control the saltiness.
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Read reviews from home cooks on flavor and spice level before buying.
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Buy smaller sizes first to test out multiple brands before committing to a large container.
Some of my favorite Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning brands include Zatarain’s, Tony Chachere’s, and Rex Cajun Seasoning. But there are many local Louisiana companies making excellent spice blends as well.
Whip Up a Flavorful Louisiana Shrimp Boil!
Now that you know how much Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning to use, you can master making this popular Southern seafood dish. Just add the perfect amount of your chosen seasoning blend to flavor and spice up your shrimp and veggies for a fun and delicious meal.
Experiment with the ratios and tweak the seasoning intensity to suit your preferences. Serve up your boil straight from the pot for a laidback, communal meal, or pour it over rice for added flavor and heat absorption.
And don’t forget the beer, cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and crusty bread on the side! A well-seasoned Louisiana shrimp boil is the ultimate summer entertaining menu guaranteed to satisfy a crowd.
“Official” Crawfish Boil Recipe
Anyone who says you can’t get any better than a classic Cajun seafood boil told you wrong. You can make any boil stronger by adding twice or three times as many of our boil spices. We like to use all of them, from our powdered spices to our liquid boil to our handy seed boil bag. So much flavor, that naysayer won’t know what hit him!.
Louisiana Shrimp Boil
How long does it take to boil shrimp?
Pour all seasonings and vegetables (except for corn & potatoes) into stock pot with water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and boil 5 minutes. Add crabs and boil 15 minutes. Add corn and boil 5 minutes. Add shrimp and boil 1 minute. Turn off and let sit for 5 minutes. Strain and serve.
How do you make a Louisiana shrimp boil?
This is a traditional Louisiana shrimp boil recipe – don’t be afraid to double or triple this recipe to make more servings. Cut in half 2 garlic heads, cut in half 2 lemons, cut in sixths 10 new potatoes 6 ears sweet corn, cut in half 4 gallons water 10 pounds fresh Louisiana shrimp, heads on.
What ingredients are included in a shrimp boil?
Our shrimp boil includes roasted garlic, celery, and onion, but you can toss in any ingredients you like along with your shrimp. Cajun Shrimp Boil Serves: 8 servings Ingredients 3 heads garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 12 quarts water 1 (4-ounce) bottle concentrated shrimp and crab boil* 1 (3-ounce) bag crawfish, shrimp, and crab boil**
How much water do you need to cook shrimp?
The size of the shrimp will vary according to personal preference; we recommend at least a 26-30 count. Bring water to a boil and add all seasonings, the onion, garlic, and lemons, except the salt. Flush shrimp with tap water until water runs clear and the eyes of the shrimp grow in size, about 5 minutes.*