Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe
This recipe creates a delicious and flavorful shrimp boil packed with potatoes, sausage, and corn, all perfectly cooked in a seasoned broth.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds red potatoes, halved
- 4 ears of corn, cut into 3-4 inch pieces
- 1 red onion, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
- 2 lemons, halved (plus wedges for serving)
- ½ cup Old Bay seasoning (or other Cajun seasoning of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 pound smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 pounds large shrimp, shells on (deveined, tails on)
Cooking Guide:
- Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts of water. Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, lemon halves, Old Bay seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are almost tender.
- Add the sausage and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high again and add the corn. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Finally, add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Drain the pot, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid if desired (for a more flavorful serving).
Tips:
- For a spicier boil, add a few cayenne pepper flakes to the pot with the Old Bay seasoning.
- If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate.
- Serve the shrimp boil immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing extra juice over your food.
- For a fun and messy way to enjoy the shrimp boil, spread newspaper on a large table and pour the boil directly onto it. Season with additional Old Bay seasoning and allow everyone to dig in!
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, shrimp tends to lose its texture upon reheating, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.