Hey there, seafood lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp boils for over a decade, and lemme tell you – there’s nothing quite like gathering around a newspaper-covered table with friends and family, peeling perfectly seasoned shrimp and diving into corn on the cob dripping with butter. Today, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about creating an amazing shrimp boil that’ll have everyone begging for seconds!
Essential Main Ingredients (The Non-Negotiables!)
Let’s start with the must-haves that make a shrimp boil what it is:
1. The Star of the Show: Shrimp
- Use large or jumbo shrimp (16/20 or 21/25 count)
- Keep shells on while cooking (trust me on this!)
- Plan for about 1/2 pound per person
- Wild-caught is best if you can get it
2. Potatoes
- Small red potatoes or new potatoes work great
- Cut larger ones into 1.5-inch chunks
- They’re perfect for soaking up all that yummy broth
3. Corn on the Cob
- Fresh summer corn is amazing
- Cut into 3-4 inch pieces
- Leave husks on while cooking for extra flavor
4. Smoked Sausage
- Andouille sausage (my personal fave)
- Kielbasa works great too
- Cut into 2-3 inch pieces
The Flavor Boosters (Don’t Skip These!)
Here’s where the magic happens – these ingredients make your shrimp boil seriously tasty:
Aromatics
- Whole head of garlic (yeah, the WHOLE thing!)
- Large red or yellow onion
- Fresh lemons
- Fresh thyme
- Bay leaves
Seasonings
- Old Bay seasoning (1/2 cup – don’t be shy!)
- Salt and black pepper
- Cayenne pepper (if you like it spicy)
- Optional: crab boil packets
Extra Add-ins (Mix and Match!)
Wanna take your shrimp boil to the next level? Try these awesome additions
Seafood Options
- Blue crab clusters
- Crawfish
- Clams or mussels
- Lobster tails (fancy!)
Veggies
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Okra
My Secret Butter Sauce Recipe
Y’all this butter sauce is what makes people come back for more
Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Extra Old Bay seasoning
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
How to Cook It (Step-by-Step)
-
Prep the Broth:
- Fill large pot with 4 quarts water
- Add aromatics and seasonings
- Bring to a boil
-
Add Ingredients in Stages:
- Potatoes first (10-15 minutes)
- Corn and sausage next (7 minutes)
- Shrimp last (2-3 minutes tops!)
-
Finish Strong
- Drain everything (save a bit of broth!)
- Toss with butter sauce
- Sprinkle with extra seasoning
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
-
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp!
- They cook super fast
- Pink = done
- Overcooked = rubber bands
-
Serving Setup:
- Cover table with newspaper
- Provide lots of paper towels
- Set out hot sauce and lemon wedges
- Cold beer is mandatory (just kidding… kinda!)
-
Make It a Party:
- Plan for mess (it’s part of the fun!)
- Provide shell crackers
- Have extra napkins ready
- Music helps set the mood
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen, we’ve all been there. Here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t add everything at once
- Don’t skip the butter sauce
- Don’t overcrowd the pot
- Don’t forget to season the water well
Storage Tips (If You Have Leftovers)
If by some miracle you have leftovers:
- Store in airtight container
- Keep for up to 2 days in fridge
- Reheat gently to avoid rubbery shrimp
- Add fresh butter when reheating
The Perfect Shrimp Boil Formula
Here’s my tried-and-true formula for 6 people:
- 1.5 lbs large shrimp
- 1.5 lbs red potatoes
- 4 corn cobs
- 14 oz smoked sausage
- 1/2 cup Old Bay
- 4 quarts water
Y’all, making a great shrimp boil isn’t rocket science – it’s all about good ingredients, proper timing, and lots of love! Whether you’re cooking for family or throwing a backyard party, these tips will help you create an unforgettable feast.
Remember, the best shrimp boils are the ones shared with friends and family. So get cooking, make a mess, and create some awesome memories around your table!
What’s your favorite thing to add to a shrimp boil? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your special touches!
How Do You Make A Shrimp Boil?
Place lemons, Old Bay seasoning, garlic and onion in a large pot of water and bring everything to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until tender, then add the corn and sausage to the pot to cook. Finally, add the shrimp. Drain the shrimp and vegetables, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Whisk the butter into the liquid, then pour the mixture over the shrimp, sausage and veggies. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Tips For Shrimp Boil
- You can boil your shrimp with or without the shells. I typically remove the shells and just leave the tails on as it’s easier to eat this way.
- Fresh corn on the cob has the most flavor – you can use white, yellow or bi-color corn.
- I use small red potatoes, but Yukon gold potatoes are also a great choice.
- You can use kielbasa sausage or andouille sausage. Andouille sausage can be a bit spicy, so I’d recommend using that variety if you prefer a little heat.
- This dish is best when served immediately. Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
I recommend buying the largest shrimp you can find for this recipe. I use 16-20 count jumbo shrimp.
Shrimp cook very quickly, and it only takes about 2-3 minutes to boil shrimp. You can tell when your shrimp are done because they’ll be bright pink and opaque.
This recipe calls for raw shrimp which are cooked in seasoned boiling water. I typically buy my raw shrimp with just the tail attached, but many shrimp also come still in the shell. If your shrimp have shells on them, you can easily remove them by pulling the main part of the shell and legs off with your fingers. I like to leave the tails on for a nicer presentation.
I use Old Bay seasoning in this recipe, which is made of celery salt, red pepper, black pepper, paprika, and other spices.
This recipe is fabulous as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Seafood: You can use one pound of shrimp and one pound of some other type of seafood such as clams, mussels, crab, lobster, crawfish or scallops to make a seafood boil. Scallops and crawfish will cook in the same amount of time as shrimp. Clams or mussels will take 6-8 minutes.
- Creamy: Make your broth creamy by stirring in a half cup of heavy cream when you add the butter to the reserved boiling liquid.
- Spicy: Feel free to turn up the heat by adding some crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the boiling liquid.
- Vegetables: Although not traditional, sometimes I add some fresh veggies during the last few minutes of the cooking time. Some great options include green beans, broccoli, carrots or asparagus.
- Flavorings: You can add other ingredients to the boiling liquid such as black pepper, lemon juice, bay leaves, beer or a pinch of salt. Instead of Old Bay seasoning, you can use Cajun seasoning.
You just can’t go wrong with this shrimp boil recipe, especially for a party. The tender shrimp pair so well with the creamy potatoes, smoky sausage and sweet corn. Everyone will be coming back for seconds!
The Perfect SHRIMP BOIL Recipe Everyone LOVES!
FAQ
What goes well in a shrimp boil?
A classic shrimp boil typically includes shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage (often andouille or kielbasa), along with seasonings like Old Bay and lemon.
What vegetables can you put in a shrimp boil?
Vegetables: Corn and baby red potatoes are a must. It’s optional, but mushrooms are also really delicious in a seafood boil. Andouille sausage: This Cajun-style sausage is full of flavor. Seasoning: All the ingredients are boiled in a broth seasoned with Cajun or Old Bay seasoning.
What do you put in water to boil shrimp?
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Adding a tablespoon or two of lemon juice is recommended for flavor and to help firm the flesh, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Step two: Cook the shrimp.Sep 19, 2023
What should I put in my seafood boil?
A classic seafood boil includes shrimp, crab (like snow crab or Dungeness crab), corn on the cob, and potatoes (usually red potatoes). You can also add sausage (like Andouille), mussels, or clams.
What do you put in a shrimp boil?
Choose three items: shrimp, peeled shrimp (add $2), crawfish, clams, mussels. Includes 4 pieces of andouille sausage, 2 corn and 3 red potatoes
Is shrimp healthy to eat?
Shrimp is healthy to eat as part of a balanced diet, cooks quickly, and tastes incredible with the other flavors in this dish. For easy prep, you’ll want to use raw, tail-on shrimp that’s been peeled and deveined. Shrimp are low in calories, so they can be good for you if you are trying to lose weight (always consult with your doctor).
How do you serve a shrimp boil?
Everyone has their preferred way to serve a shrimp boil. Here are some of the most popular ways: Serve it on Newspaper: Cover your table with newspaper and spread shrimp, sausage and vegetables on top. Then eat it directly using your hands. Serve it on a Platter: Transfer the shrimp, sausage and veggies to a large serving platter.