Hey y’all! I’ve been boiling Louisiana shrimp for over 15 years, and lemme tell you – there’s nothing quite like a perfectly seasoned, juicy Gulf shrimp that’s been boiled just right. Today, I’m gonna share my tried-and-true method for creating that authentic Louisiana shrimp boil that’ll have your guests beggin’ for more.
What You’ll Need
The Star of the Show
- 5 pounds of fresh Gulf shrimp (26-30 count)
- Heads on preferred, but headless works too
- Wild-caught is best for that authentic taste
Essential Equipment
- Large stockpot (8-10 gallon capacity)
- Propane burner with high-pressure regulator
- Mesh strainer or skimmer
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Large serving platters or newspaper-lined table
The Secret Seasoning Blend
- 1 cup liquid crab boil
- 4 cups crab boil seasoning
- 1/2 cup Louisiana hot sauce
- 1 pound salt
- 2 whole onions, halved
- 2 heads garlic, halved
- 3 lemons, halved
Optional Add-ins
- 10 small red potatoes
- 6 ears corn, halved
- Your favorite cold beer (for the cook, of course! )
Step-by-Step Boiling Method
1. Prep Your Shrimp
First things first let’s get those shrimp ready
- Rinse under cold water
- Keep shells ON (this is crucial for flavor!)
- Remove heads if needed
- Devein if desired (but leave shells intact)
2. Season That Water
1. Fill pot 2/3 full with water2. Add all seasonings EXCEPT salt3. Bring to a rolling boil4. Should take about 15-20 minutes to get good n' hot3. The Perfect Timing Method
Here’s my foolproof timing sequence
- Add potatoes – cook 10 minutes
- Add corn – cook 5 minutes
- Add shrimp – cook ONLY 2 minutes
- Kill the heat
- Add salt
- Let soak 20 minutes
4. The Ice Bath Secret
After cooking you got two options
- Serve hot right outta the pot
- Give ’em an ice bath for cold serving
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
-
Don’t Overcook!
- When shrimp form a “C” shape = perfect
- If they make an “O” shape = overcooked
-
Testing for Doneness
- Pink color = done
- Firm but not rubbery
- Opaque all the way through
-
Seasoning Balance
- Start with less seasoning
- Can always add more during soak
- Taste test after 10 minutes of soaking
Serving Suggestions
Serve your boiled shrimp with:
- Classic remoulade sauce
- Cocktail sauce
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Cold beer
- Plenty of paper towels!
Storage Tips
If you got leftovers (which rarely happens at my house!):
- Store in spiced cooking liquid
- Keep refrigerated up to 4 days
- Freeze peeled shrimp for 2-3 months
- Great for shrimp salad or gumbo later
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t remove shells before boiling
- Don’t overcrowd the pot
- Never skip the soaking step
- Don’t rush the seasoning process
- Don’t forget to stir occasionally
Troubleshooting
Problem: Rubbery shrimp
Solution: Shorter cooking time, longer soak
Problem: Bland taste
Solution: More seasoning during soak time
Problem: Too spicy
Solution: Reduce soak time or seasoning amount
Final Thoughts
Y’all, boiling Louisiana shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does take some love and attention to detail. The key is fresh Gulf shrimp, good seasonings, and most importantly – don’t overcook them suckers! Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll have a shrimp boil that’ll make any Cajun proud.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Now get out there and start boiling – your taste buds are waiting!
Happy cooking, y’all!
P.S. Don’t forget to grab a cold one while you’re cooking – it’s part of the authentic experience!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail?
Cajun Cooking Made Easy in Print
Cajun Shrimp Boil Ingredients
Large 8-12 quart pot
2-3 pounds fresh shrimp 1 large sweet onion 2 full garlic pods 1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar 4 oz Zatarain’s liquid Shrimp & Crab Boil 5 lemons 2 pounds baby red potatoes 1 small package of sweet corn on the cob 2-3 tablespoons salt 5 Bay leaves and other items if desired as mentioned above
For this Cajun Shrimp Boil recipe, begin by filling the pot with water. Leave about 4-6 inches from the top of the pot to allow for filling all the shrimp and seasonings.
Begin seasoning the water with oil, vinegar, Shrimp & Crab Boil, salt, Bay leaves, quartered sweet onion, and squeeze lemon halves.
Bring water to a rolling boil. Allow to boil for 10 minutes.
Caution: stay near the stove in case of boil over. If this happens turn off the burner instantly to allow the water to go down. Once stabilized, turn burner back on a bit lower temperature.
Now drop in the baby red potatoes. Cook 8-10 minutes.
Then, drop in the corn on the cob. Let the water return to a boil, and cook for 5 more minutes.
Finally, place in the shrimp.
Bring the water back to a boil and then turn off the heat.
If the boiling water is too close to the top, use a ladle or a cup to dip some water out.
Shrimp are done once they turn pink and rise to the top.
Turn of the burner and let sit a couple minutes – not too long as over cooked shrimp are hard to peel.
Prepare a colander in the sink. Carefully drain the shrimp and other ingredients.
Serve the Cajun boiled shrimp immediately with corn and potatoes on a platter.
Provide a small bowl for discarding the shrimp peelings.
Have butter and salt ready for the corn and potatoes.
We also recommend our Cocktail Sauce recipe or Mike sometimes makes a spicy ketchup by mixing lemon juice and Tabasco.
Whether you’re having a crowd or just a dinner for two, Cajun Boiled Shrimp are a tasty treat, low in fat and so easy to make. I love a one pot meal!
Leftover shrimp make for a great salad with shrimp topped with a remoulade or honey Dijon dressing.
Oh and if Boiled Shrimp is not your favorite we have other boiling recipes: Blue Crabs and Snow Crab Legs.
See you next time!
Beryl
Cajun Cooking TV features Beryl Caillouet Stokes and her grand-daughter Addison cooking up some good eating Cajun recipes from their kitchen in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Please Follow Us On Facebook for Daily Updates and New Recipes: https://www.facebook.com/CajunCookingTV/
The Cajun Cooking TV show airs on local Baton Rouge, Louisiana channel WLFT MeTV channel 30.1 and on Cox cable channel 117 on Tuesday mornings at 10 am.
You Can Write Beryl At: Cajun Cooking TV 7516 Bluebonnet Blvd # 179 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810
=========================================================================== Author:
How to boil shrimp!!!
FAQ
How long to boil Louisiana shrimp?
Add shrimp, cover and cook for cook 4-5 minutes, until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Drain and serve on a large platter.
How many minutes do you boil shrimp for?
Boil shrimp in salted water until just pink outside and opaque in the center, about 2 minutes for most sizes of peeled shrimp, a minute or two longer for shell-on shrimp or for extra-large or jumbo shrimp. Boiling shrimp is about as easy as it gets and takes just a few minutes.
What is cajun shrimp boil?
It’s loaded with jumbo shrimp, crab, andouille sausage, potatoes, eggs, and corn on the cob that’s simmered in a flavor-filled broth of cajun spices and aromatics. All that hearty goodness gets drowned and smothered in an epic garlic butter sauce.
What is in a Louisiana seafood boil?
Most Louisiana seafood boils include seasoned andouille sausage, sweet corn, tender potatoes, tart lemons, yellow onions and fresh crawfish, shrimp or crab. In Louisiana, you’ll have your pick of restaurants serving up seasoned pots of this southern coastal classic.
How much time does it take to boil shrimp?
The overall time it takes for the entire process is about 15 to 20 minutes. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to boil shrimp: You’ll bring a large pot of salted water to a boil with some fresh lemon juice. Once boiling, add the shrimp and boil until they’re pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes.
How to boil perfect shrimp?
How to Boil Shrimp? In a large saucepan, combine the shrimp shells, one tablespoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and the bay leaf. Bring 8 cups of water to a boil over medium/high heat. Once the water has a boil, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook until pink, around 2-3 minutes depending on their size.
How long do you boil shrimp for?
Shrimp should be cooked for 2 to 7 minutes, or until they float and the flesh turns opaque with pink highlights. The length of time it takes to boil shrimp is mostly determined by their size. Based on their size, the usual time to boil frozen shrimp is as follows: 30 seconds to 1 minute for little shrimp. 1 to 1 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp.