Listen up y’all! If you’ve ever struggled with getting that perfect Louisiana shrimp boil flavor you’re not alone. I’ve been cooking up seafood boils for years, and I’m here to share exactly how much seasoning you need for that authentic Bayou taste that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
The Quick Answer
For most home cooks use 1-2 ounces (2-3 tablespoons) of Louisiana shrimp boil seasoning per gallon of water. But hold up – there’s more to the story than just that!
Getting the Ratio Right for Different Pot Sizes
Here’s a handy table I’ve put together based on my experience:
| Pot Size | Amount of Seasoning | For Professional Results |
|---|---|---|
| 20 qt pot | 2-3 oz | Add 1 oz more per batch |
| 40 qt pot | 3-4 oz | Add 1.5 oz more per batch |
| 80-100 qt pot | 6 pounds | Add 2 pounds per batch |
Factors That’ll Affect Your Seasoning Amount
Listen, cooking ain’t always exact science Here’s what you gotta consider
- Your Taste Buds: Some like it hot, some not! Start with less – you can always add more
- Brand Differences: Not all seasonings are created equal, y’all
- What You’re Cooking: More ingredients = more seasoning needed
- Water Type: Hard water might need less seasoning than soft water
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
-
Test the Water: Before adding your seafood, taste the boiling water. It should taste a bit saltier than ocean water
-
Layer Your Flavors:
- Start with base seasoning
- Add fresh aromatics (garlic, lemon, onions)
- Consider throwing in some bay leaves
-
The Soak Factor:
- Less seasoning + longer soak = deeper flavor
- More seasoning + shorter soak = intense surface flavor
My Foolproof Method
Here’s what works in my kitchen:
- Fill pot with water
- Add seasoning (using table above)
- Bring to boil
- Add potatoes first (they’ll help season the water)
- Follow with corn and sausage
- Finally, add shrimp (they cook quick!)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t dump the whole bag in just cause you got it
- Never reuse the boiling liquid (I know it’s tempting!)
- Don’t skip the taste test before adding seafood
When Things Go Wrong
Made it too salty? No worries! Here’s what I do:
- Add quartered potatoes to absorb excess salt
- Dilute with fresh water (yeah, it works!)
- Add more unseasoned ingredients
Bottom Line
Getting the seasoning right might take a couple tries, but starting with 1-2 ounces per gallon of water is your sweet spot. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in there!
Listen, every Louisiana mama has their own special touch with seafood boils, and you’ll find yours too. Just start with these measurements and adjust till it tastes just right for your crew.
And hey, don’t forget – the best shrimp boil is the one where everyone’s gathered round the table, peeling shrimp and telling stories. The seasoning’s important, but it’s the company that makes it perfect!
Got questions about your seafood boil? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’m always happy to help fellow food lovers get it just right!
How Much Shrimp Per Person?
The size of the shrimp determines the amount of shrimp per person for a shrimp boil.
And remember this is an entree serving. If you are serving steamed shrimp witth cocktail sauce, people will eat a lot more.
For a seafood boil, there is a lot more to eat when you figure in the potatoes, corn and sausage.
I use large shrimp, no less than 21-25 shrimp per pound. Figure about 6 – 8 shrimp per person which means 2 pounds of shrimp will serve about 6 – 8 people.
A serving of shrimp is usually considered 4 ounces and I like serving shrimp with the shell on. (More flavor this way and less chance of overcooking.)
This means when buying shell-on shrimp you need 6 – 8 ounces per person or about ½ pound per eater!
Jumbo shrimp are also delicious and those are labeled as 16-20 per pound.
In that case, figure 5 – 7 shrimp per person.
But in all honesty, I find it doesnt matter how many shrimp you make because they all get eaten!
Keep in mind that the shrimp are the star of this show and if you have big eaters, dont be afraid to add a few more.
In general, I figure 2-3 people to 1 pound of shell-on shrimp.
The shell keeps the shrimp from drying out and also provides more flavor.
Honestly, the shells come off easily. And even easier when folks are hungry!
Just place an extra empty bowl on the table to hold the shells and the cobs from the corn.
Sauces For SeaFood Boil
Several great options for dipping your shrimp include a cocktail sauce, a remoulade tartar sauce, or a seasoned melted butter with extra Old Bay, Cajun seasoning or garlic.
Mixing Franks Hot Sauce into butter also makes for a great dipping sauce.
The seasoned melted butter is great for dipping the new potatoes and corn into!
I love a good spicy cocktail sauce.
To make the cocktail sauce I use ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire and a squeeze of lemon to taste.
Another option is a remoulade sauce or just melt some butter and add some Cajun seasoning or additional Old Bay.
For that matter you could even toss this onto the drained shrimp boil and mix it all together.
If you want this spicier or more seasoned at this point just sprinkle on some more Cajun or Old Bay seasoning!
A shrimp boil is a great way to feed a crowd or large group and the proportions can be adjusted accordingly.
However keep in mind the size of your pot!
This easy recipe is a great thing to rely on in hot summer months. If you have an outside burner like a large turkey fryer, no need to even heat up the kitchen!
Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp Boil | Sausage Corn & Potatoes | Let’s Go!
FAQ
How much Louisiana crawfish boil seasoning to use?
For a Louisiana-style crawfish boil, a good starting point is about 1 pound of seasoning per 10 pounds of crawfish. This ratio can be adjusted based on your desired level of spiciness and saltiness.
How much shrimp boil seasoning to use?
How much seasoning for a pound of shrimp?
For a pound of shrimp, you’ll generally want to use about 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning. This amount is suitable for well-seasoned shrimp, especially if they are being served over rice, in a salad, or in another dish where the seasoning will be a prominent flavor, according to Cook the Story.
How much crab boil seasoning to use per pound?
BOILING SEAFOOD One bag of crab boil is sufficient for 4 pounds of shrimp, 4 pounds of crawfish or 1 dozen crabs. Steps: In a large cooking container add 3 quarts of water, 4 Tbsp. of salt, 1 bag of Zatarain’s Crab Boil-Dry, and 1 lemon (quartered).
How much seasoning do you add to a shrimp boil?
Add 1/4 cup of the shrimp boil seasoning mix for each gallon of water. It may seem like a lot of spice but you’re not making soup, you’re infusing spice into the protein and veggies, then removing everything from the liquid. Here is a break down of the vegetables and proteins for each gallon of water of this shrimp boil recipe.
What is Louisiana boiled shrimp?
Louisiana is famous for its incredible seafood, especially boiled shrimp. A traditional Louisiana shrimp boil is a fun, flavorful way to cook shrimp for a crowd. When done right, Louisiana-style boiled shrimp are infused with spicy, tangy seasoning with tender, perfectly cooked shrimp.
How much seasoning do you put in a crawfish & shrimp boil?
Use the crawfish and shrimp seafood boil calculator below for guidance on your specific pot. As a rule of thumb, we typically use 6 pounds of seasoning per batch in an 80 to 100 qt pot. For every follow-up batch, we add 2 pounds of seasoning. Why Use a Crawfish & Shrimp Boil Calculator? How much seasoning do I use for a crawfish boil?
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.
How to cook easy boiled shrimp?
Preparing a pot of Easy Boiled Shrimp is a cinch with just a few ingredients from your pantry. No need for a bottled liquid crab boil or a boxed seasoning bag. You only need seasonings, lemons, raw shrimp, and a large pot of boiling water. Then youll be eating tender shrimp in minutes!. Im an Amazon Associate.
How do you spice up shrimp?
Stuff heads – Fill cleaned shrimp heads with seasoning mixes and let cook in the boil. Infuse the boil – Add citrus peels, herbs, and spices in a muslin bag to steep like tea. Boost heat – up the spice with extra cayenne, hot sauce, or Cajun power blend. Fry the heads – For a crunchy, salty, spice-infused snack.