Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe
What is a Shrimp Boil?
As the name suggests, a seafood boil is a dish made by boiling the ingredients in a large pot of seasoned liquid. The cook adds each ingredient at the precise time for even cooking, but with our old bay shrimp boil recipe, we’ve cut out the time it takes to babysit the boiling pot without sacrificing flavor.
A classic shrimp boil is a southern meal and experience all wrapped into one. Ingredients vary slightly by region, but they always include shrimp or seafood, potatoes, corn, sausage and Old Bay seasoning.
In the Southeast, it’s called a Low Country Boil and it features local fresh-caught shrimp, crab, or crawfish. On the other hand, Cajun shrimp boil uses andouille sausage for a spicy kick and sometimes a bit of Zatarain’s.
Shrimp boil with shrimp, corn and potatoes baked on a sheet pan
Ingredients
Some seafood boil ingredients may vary slightly by region, but our recipe stays true to the classic mixture of hearty seafood, sausage, and vegetables. It’s a simple list of ingredients, but it delivers big flavor.
Baby Potatoes – cut into equal-sized chunks so the potatoes cook evenly. Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes work well cut into equal pieces.
Corn – cut into 2” slices. You can also use frozen corn as it will cook at about the same time as fresh cobs
Unsalted Butter – coats the ingredients to help the seasoning stick
Garlic – fresh is best, but pre-minced works, too
Old Bay seasoning – this seasoning is a must. It’s what makes the shrimp boil authentic! You can find it at most local grocery stores or even online.
Smoked Andouille sausage – cut into pieces. Any cajun-style sausage will work, but you can use Polish kielbasa for less heat.
Large shrimp – Tail-on, large, or jumbo shrimp work best. If you can get your hands on tiger shrimp, do it!
Lemons – cut into wedges to serve on the side
Ingredients for Frogmore Stew including smoked sausage, Old Bay Seasoning, garlic, seafood, butter, potatoes and corn
Pro Tip
If you don’t have time to thaw your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight, thaw it quickly by placing it in a colander in your sink. Run cool water over the frozen shrimp for 7-8 minutes until the ice dissolves then drain and pat dry with paper towels.
Seafood Boil Variations
This basic shrimp boil recipe features the classic ingredients, but you can always make some simple swaps to fit your tastes. Try these variations:
Add a can of beer to the water when boiling the potatoes and corn
Include other seafood, like clams, crawfish, crab, or lobster
Add vegetables to the mixture: asparagus, red or yellow onion, or okra
Try including other spices, like bay leaf, red pepper flakes, or parsley
Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley, lemon wedges, cornbread, and some hot sauce
How to Make a Shrimp Boil
Follow these easy steps to nail this sheet pan shrimp boil. Bon appetite!
Boil – potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 10 minutes. Add corn to the boiling pot and cook until the potatoes are nearly tender, about 5 more minutes.
Drain – the corn and potatoes and place into a large bowl.
Prepare – the shrimp by cleaning and patting them dry (we keep the tails on). Add the shrimp and sausage to the potato and corn bowl.
Combine – butter, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the meat and vegetables. Toss to coat.
Arrange – the mixture onto a large baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked. Serve with lemon wedges.
Step-by-step directions for making a seafood boil
Pro Tip
You’ll know when the Boiled Potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork. The shrimp is done when it is opaque and the tail curls to form a “C” shape.
How to Serve a Shrimp Boil
Traditionally, the seafood, sausage, and vegetables are boiled over an open flame outside in a large stock pot. When the cooking is done, the food is drained and served spread out across a large picnic table that’s been covered in newspaper. Guests gather around a heaping pile of boiled goodies and then chow down using their hands and an occasional napkin.
What to Serve with a Shrimp Boil
A shrimp boil is a hands-down crowd-pleaser and a meal in itself, but just add a few of these sides to the mix, and you’ve got a feast on your hands.
Common Questions
Frogmore Stew baked and served on a baking sheet with sausage, corn, and potatoes
More Easy Seafood Recipes
After you try this Shrimp Boil recipe, check out these other seafood favorites:
Grilled Salmon
Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon
Fish Tacos
Easy Baked Cod Recipe
Garlic Butter Air Fryer Salmon
Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Sauce
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Shrimp Boil Recipe on Sheet Pan with lemon wedges
4.98 from 91 votes
Shrimp Boil Recipe
Prep Time:
10minutes mins
Cook Time:
30minutes mins
Total Time:
40minutes mins
This is the easiest shrimp boil you’ll ever do! Baked on a sheet pan, this recipe completely skips the mess while keeping all the flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb baby potatoes, cut into equal pieces
3 ears of corn, each cut into 5 pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
16 oz smoked andouille sausage, cut into pieces
1 lb large shrimp, raw, tail on
2 lemons, cut into wedges
Instructions
In a large pot of boiling water, cook potatoes for 10 minutes. Then, add the corn to the boiling water with the potatoes. Boil until the potatoes are finished, about 5 more minutes.
Drain corn and potatoes, and place them into a large bowl.
Clean and pat dry shrimp, and add them to the bowl. Also, add sausage to the bowl.
In a small bowl, combine butter with minced garlic and Old Bay seasoning. Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp boil ingredients and toss it all together.
