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Shrimp Boil Recipe

This shrimp boil recipe is everything you want in a Southern-inspired feast—easy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. From tender potatoes and juicy sausage to sweet corn and perfectly cooked shrimp, it’s a dish that brings everyone together around the table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Base Ingredients
  • 4 quarts water to fill a large stockpot
  • 1 large onion quartered
  • 6 garlic cloves smashed
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 lemons halved (plus extra lemon wedges for serving)
  • ½ cup Old Bay seasoning or similar seafood boil seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • For the Boil
  • 2 pounds red potatoes halved if large
  • 4 ears corn on the cob cut into thirds
  • 1 ½ pounds andouille sausage or smoked sausage sliced into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 pounds large shrimp shell-on, deveined
  • For Serving
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • Fresh parsley chopped
  • Extra lemon juice and wedges

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the broth (10 minutes):
  • In a very large pot, fill with water (about 4 quarts).
  • Add onion, garlic, bay leaves, lemons, Old Bay seasoning, and salt.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Cook the potatoes (15 minutes):
  • Add the red potatoes and continue to cook until just fork-tender.
  • Add sausage and corn (10 minutes):
  • Add sausage and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add corn and sausage pieces, cooking another 5 minutes.
  • Add shrimp (3 minutes):
  • Add the fresh shrimp to the pot and cook just until pink and opaque (about 2–3 minutes).
  • Drain and serve (2 minutes):
  • Drain everything through a colander, discarding the broth.
  • Spread the shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage over a baking sheet or directly onto a newspaper-covered table.
  • Finish and garnish:
  • Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with parsley, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.

Notes

  • Use shell-on shrimp: They’re juicier and more flavorful.
  • Layer ingredients by cooking time: Start with potatoes, then sausage, corn, and shrimp last.
  • Avoid overcooking shrimp: They only need 2–3 minutes.
  • Make it spicier: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the broth.
  • Don’t skip draining well: A soggy shrimp boil isn’t as fun—let the steam escape before serving.
Keyword shrimp boil recipe, shrimp boil, red potatoes, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, smoked sausage, large shrimp, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning