Shrimp Boil

 Shrimp Boil Recipe boil! A traditional Southern dish that boils together delicious corn, sturdy potatoes, aromatic sausage, and soft shrimp. A simple, mouthwatering classic!

Overhead view of a shrimp boil with the cooked Shrimp Boil Recipe emptied and spread out on a big baking sheet.

It’s packed to the gills with a flavorful mixture of spices, including an intoxicating blast of fire. And the overall flavor combination is perfectly excellent!

Shrimp Boil Video

Shrimp Boil
(printest) Shrimp Boil Recipe

You have the distinct and alluring flavor of the shrimp, the richness of the sausage, the seasoning pops from the celery salt and sweet paprika (in the Old Bay blend), the nice hints of bright lemon, the decadent and rich butter, the vibrant herbs, and then you get plenty of freshness throughout with all the veggies.

It truly is the ideal summer lunch all in one, and it’s great fun as well.

A hearty treat to look forward to over the weekend or a dish appropriate for a straightforward evening meal.

If you ask me, this is a recipe that should be prepared at the very least once each summer.

a picture of the materials for a shrimp boil. includes red potatoes, onion, butter, lemon, parsley, thyme, shrimp, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, as well as salt, pepper, water, and other seasonings.

Ingredients For A Shrimp Boil And Potential Alternatives

Shrimp Boil
(printest) Shrimp Boil Recipe
  • Water: I prefer to start with ho  water because it will boil more quickly.
  • Yellow onion is also great in this dish. Even an onion from Vidalia will do.
  • You’ll need a full head of garlic for this recipe. Dry is not a good substitute because it won’t have nearly as much flavor.
  • Old Bay seasoning: For details on the various varieties, see below.
  • Thyme: You can use 2 tsp of dried thyme instead.
  • Yukon Gold potatoes also work well in place of red potatoes. Any size is acceptable, but you must cut them into pieces that are roughly 1 1/2 inches across. You can leave Petite entire.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, but keep in mind that the spice blend already contains salt.
  • Corn: For this recipe, corn on the cob is essential; do not use sliced kernels. Frozen and thawed cobs can be used if necessary.
  • Andouille sausage: If you are unable to locate andouille sausage, any other smoked sausage will serve.
  • Shrimp: For the finest flavor, I like to use frozen, recently thawed shrimp. Nothing compares to being freshly caught, of course.
  • Salted butter will work, but keep in mind that it will add a bit more salt (almost 1/4 tsp).
  • Lemon: A lime will also do if that is all you have.

Potential Changes

  • Along with the water, one beer can may be added.
  • Shrimp can be peeled or left unpeeled, as desired.
  • Include more herbs in the water combination, like parsley or bay leaves.
  • When serving, add spicy sauce to the mixture.
  • Make your seasoning for fish at home (in place of the Old Bay).
  • You can include more seafood like crab, lobster, or clams.

A collage of four steps demonstrates how to cook shrimp in a pot, drain them in a strainer, and then top the mixture with butter to serve.

Exactly How To Boil Shrimp

  • Boiling water with seasonings requires 4 quarts of water in a big stockpot. Add the thyme, onion, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning. Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Add potatoes and season with salt to par-cook them (I use 1 Tbsp). Let cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are almost soft.
  • Sausage is already cooked; add corn and simmer for an additional three minutes. Cook the sausage for a further 4 minutes.
  • Shrimp needs to be cooked quickly; add shrimp and toss gently until just opaque and pink.
  • Drain: Drain the mixture, reserving 1/4 cup of the broth for serving. Spread it over a baking sheet or a very large serving plate.

Shrimp Boiling Time

You’ll see that boiling the Shrimp Boil Recipe just takes a couple of minutes in this method. Shrimp cooks quickly, so take care not to overcook it or the texture will be ruined.

  • image of a shrimp boil up close.
  • Kitchen Variations

There are other ways to prepare it in addition to the traditional boiling method. Likewise, try these:

  • Try my skillet variant for a wonderful hint of browned flavor.

Here are the instructions you’ll follow to cook in a slow cooker:

  • A big slow cooker should be filled with 14 ounces of sliced sausage, 1 1/2 pounds of diced potatoes, 3 halved corn cobs, 1/2 an onion, and 6 garlic cloves.
  • Add 2 tsp fresh thyme, 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning, and 5 cups of water.
  • 3 hours or until potatoes are tender on high heat If necessary, shift corn to create room for shrimp.
  • Add 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp, and simmer for 10 to 13 minutes, or until just opaque.
  • Drain, then add additional old bay seasoning, 6 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp lemon, and 2 tbsp parsley.
  • Oven: For a different take on the shrimp boil, consider scaling it back and baking it on a sheet pan.

Barbecue: Try my foil packages to cook it on the grill.

The image depicts a single serving of shrimp boiled on a white plate with a side of cornbread as a serving recommendation.

What To Pair It With

It’s a complete Shrimp Boil Recipe, but you can certainly add a warm side to go with it. Good choices consist of:

  • Coleslaw
  • Cornbread
  • Never knead bread
  • Additional Southern Delights to Try
  • Soupe au corn
  • Jambalaya
  • French fries
  • Rice with Red Beans
  • casserole with squash

Instructions

  1. 4 quarts of water should be added to a 12-quart or larger pot. Add the thyme, onion, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning. Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil.
  2. Salt potatoes after adding them (I use 1 Tbsp). Let cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are almost soft.
  3. 3 more minutes of cooking after adding the corn. Cook the sausage for a further 4 minutes.
  4. Shrimp should be added slowly and cooked for 1 to 2 minutes, or until barely opaque and pink.
  5. Drain mixture; if desired, save 1/4 cup of the broth for serving. Spread it over a baking sheet or a very large serving plate.