Hey there, fellow food lovers! If you’ve been invited to a shrimp boil and wondering what to bring, you’re in the right place. As someone who’s hosted countless seafood boils, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about contributing to this awesome party feast!
The Essentials of a Shrimp Boil Party
Before we dive into what you can bring, let’s understand what typically goes into a shrimp boil:
Traditional Main Components:
- Fresh jumbo shrimp (deveined)
- Andouille sausage or kielbasa
- Red potatoes or baby potatoes
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Sweet onions
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon wedges
- Butter
Best Items to Bring to a Shrimp Boil
1. Dipping Sauces
Nothing beats having amazing sauces for dunking! Here’s what you can bring:
- Garlic butter sauce
- Seafood boil sauce
- Remoulade
- Cocktail sauce
- Hot sauce varieties
2. Side Dishes
Salads
Fresh salads are always welcome at a shrimp boil:
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Watermelon feta salad
- Coleslaw (regular or spicy)
- Dill pickle pasta salad
- Macaroni salad
Warm Sides
These hearty sides complement the main dish perfectly:
- Mac and cheese
- Cheesy potato casserole
- Cilantro lime rice
- Baked beans
- Grilled veggie skewers
3. Bread Options
People love having something to soak up those amazing juices
- Cornbread
- Hush puppies
- Texas Roadhouse-style rolls
- Sourdough bread
- Garlic bread
Pro Tips for Bringing Food to a Shrimp Boil
- Temperature Considerations
- Bring cold dishes in coolers
- Use insulated containers for warm dishes
- Pack ice packs for salads and cold items
- Serving Supplies
- Bring serving utensils
- Pack disposable plates/bowls if needed
- Don’t forget serving platters
- Timing Tips
- Arrive 15-30 minutes early to set up
- Bring items that can sit out safely
- Consider dishes that taste good at room temperature
Drinks to Bring
Alcoholic Options:
- Beer (especially local craft beers)
- White wine
- Sangria
- Hard seltzers
Non-Alcoholic Choices:
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
- Fruit punch
- Sparkling water
Dessert Ideas
Light & Refreshing:
- Watermelon slices
- Fresh fruit salad
- Key lime pie
- Lemon bars
Rich & Decadent:
- Bread pudding
- Banana pudding
- Peach cobbler
- Ice cream
Additional Items You Might Want to Bring
Party Supplies:
- Paper towels
- Wet wipes
- Extra napkins
- Garbage bags
- Hand sanitizer
Eating Tools:
- Seafood crackers
- Small forks
- Butter knives
- Plastic bibs
My Personal Tips for Success
-
Coordinate with the HostAlways check what’s needed most – sometimes they might prefer specific items or have enough of certain things already
-
Consider the Season
- Summer: Focus on lighter, refreshing dishes
- Winter: Bring heartier, warming sides
- Think About Portion Sizes
For a typical party of 8-10 people:
- Salads: 1.5-2 cups per person
- Sides: 1 cup per person
- Bread: 1-2 pieces per person
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t bring:
- Dishes that need lots of reheating
- Items requiring extensive prep at the host’s place
- Foods that spoil quickly in heat
- Skip:
- Complicated dishes needing special serving requirements
- Items that compete with the main dish
- Dishes that are too messy to eat outdoors
Final Thoughts
Remember, a shrimp boil is all about casual, fun dining! Whatever you bring, make it simple and enjoyable. The best contribution is something that’s easy to serve and share.
Want my quick go-to suggestion? A big batch of garlic butter sauce and some crusty bread never disappoints! It’s simple but absolutely essential for any shrimp boil.
Quick Checklist Before You Go:
- Confirmed contribution with host
- Prepared food properly
- Packed serving utensils
- Added ice packs if needed
- Grabbed extra napkins
- Packed container for leftovers
Now you’re ready to be the MVP guest at your next shrimp boil! Got any questions? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help you out!
The Best Side Dishes for a Shrimp Boil
Typical side dishes include hush puppies, sweet potato fries, and a simple potato salad.
Usually, with this easy seafood dish, I don’t include anything but a simple salad. However, if you’re wanting to serve a crowd, it’s nice for them to bring something. Plus, not everyone likes tender shrimp or juicy crawfish! So having some good side dishes will help round out the meal, and give everyone something they enjoy!
One way to help get a few more veggies on the menu is to make some vegetable skewers. Fill a skewer with bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and anything else you like. Grill it while your shrimp dish is cooking, and you’ll have one of the best sides!
Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce — Buerre Blanc is THE perfect sauce to serve with your shrimp boil! And, if you’re adding crab legs to the boil, this sauce is a must-have! Fresh garlic, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice are all gently whisked into melted butter for the ultimate decadent dipping sauce for any seafood.
Seafood Boil Sauce — Butter, garlic, and plenty of seasoning! This sauce was made for dipping shrimp, corn, and everything in between!
Another entertaining tip for a great idea for outdoor events when hosting a crawfish boil (or any kind of boil!) is to line your tables with parchment paper first. Then, top with kraft paper. People will line their tables with newspapers, but it’s often very dirty! And, this meal you eat right off the table, no plates or silverware involved. So! Using a heavy-duty kraft paper is nice. But, the pre-lining of parchment paper helps keep your table safe, and clean up a breeze!
Classic Macaroni Salad – Filled with surprising veggies and a creamy dressing, this pasta salad is a classic side dish that’s welcome on any dinner table!
Southern Cucumber and Tomato Salad — nothing screams summer entertaining more than a deliciously classic cucumber and tomato salad. It’s so refreshing to have summer’s fresh harvest on your table and enjoy the (literal!) fruits of your labor. People make theirs all different ways, but this recipe is a pure classic Southern recipe! Give it a try!
Spicy Coleslaw — It’s the classic creamy coleslaw recipe but with a bit of a spicy kick from some mild green Tabasco sauce. Love the idea of adding that kick to an ordinary side dish to make it extraordinary!
Fourth of July Fruit Salad — if you’re hosting your gathering during a patriotic holiday, this watermelon salad is a great addition! Plus, the festive star-shaped apples are a fun way to make the buffet look extra exciting!
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic — Sauteed spinach is a great side dish to add to your menu. It’s easy to prepare while your seafood is cooking, and it adds some extra veggie excitement to the meal. It’s super simple with olive oil, fresh garlic, and a little salt and pepper.
Cilantro Rice — everyone loves rice! And this is a flavor-packed side dish your people will love! White rice is combined with cilantro for a side dish everyone will love.
Air Fryer Cornbread — The crispy exterior of air-fried cornbread is incredible! It’s the classic southern dish, either homemade or using a Jiffy mix, but made in your air fryer. Saving your oven space, y’all!! Woo hoo!!
Jalapeno Cornbread — Alright, y’all, if you’d like a spicy cornbread for dipping in the flavorful broth, this is the recipe you’ve got to try!
Crock Pot Green Beans — Everything you love about Southern cooked green beans, but made in the slow cooker! And this accompanies the main dish so well. Green beans are plentiful during the summer months, and this is a great recipe to share your bounty with your people. Plus, by using your crock pot, the oven space is saved, and if you’re doing your boil outside, everything can stay outside. No heating up your house!
Cheesy Potatoes — This is a great option for a baked potato casserole. Filled with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions, these creamy potatoes will be the classic dish everyone reaches in for.
Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp Boil | Sausage Corn & Potatoes | Let’s Go!
FAQ
What should I bring to a shrimp boil?
- Corn on the Cob. Corn is a seafood boil essential. …
- Boiled Potatoes. Potatoes are non-negotiable seafood boil side dishes! …
- Garlic Butter French Bread. …
- Fried Pickles. …
- Creole Coleslaw. …
- Cajun Mac & Cheese. …
- Spicy Pickled Vegetables. …
- Cajun Dirty Rice.
What side goes well with a shrimp boil?
- Cole Slaw
- Macaroni Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Potato Salad
- Baked Beans
- Baked Mac and Cheese
What to bring as a guest to a crawfish boil?
Do bring something to the table. Whether it is beer, ice, more beer, a side dish, or more beer, it is always proper to bring something to the crawfish boil that you can share with others. Do allow others to squeeze in around the table. Most crawfish boils are big gatherings.
What drinks go with a seafood boil?
The tanginess of a citrus-based margarita perfectly cuts through the buttery, garlicky richness of a seafood boil. A zesty Lime Margarita or a Blood Orange Margarita not only refreshes your palate but also complements the spiciness and natural sweetness of shellfish like shrimp and crab.