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A southern classic, this shrimp boil recipe includes corn, potatoes, sausage, and shrimp boiled together in one pot and packed full of delicious flavor! It’s a tried and true favorite that you don’t want to miss!
I can’t seem to get enough of Southern food around here! If you love it as much as I do, then you need to try these hush puppies, this gumbo, and this perfectly crisp chicken fried steak!
What IS a Shrimp Boil?
A shrimp boil is also known as Frogmore Stew or Low Country Boil. If you haven’t cooked up a shrimp boil before then, you are in for some mind-blowing food! A shrimp boil is when you take some sausage, corn, potatoes, and ultimately shrimp and boil them all together in a large pot. It creates a divine flavor. Plus, because all ingredients are cooked together, it’s packed to the brim with delicious flavor.
If you have ever seen how a shrimp boil is eaten, then you know you are in for some FUN! After it’s cooked, you typically will place all of the food straight onto a table lined with a paper tablecloth. This dinner is Southern cooking at its finest. It makes a great family dinner and is easy because you don’t have to make any extra sides!
Ingredients in Frogmore Stew
Now that you know what a shrimp boil (or Frogmore Stew) is, you need to know what to put in it! You will be blown away once you put all of these ingredients together! They taste SO good and create such a delicious and hearty meal! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Water: This is the base to boil everything in.
- Lemon: The lemon brings a fresh, bright flavor to the dish.
- Garlic Cloves: You will want to leave these whole to get the most flavor out of them! Just peel and smash them before popping them in with the rest of the ingredients.
- Onion: The pieces of the onion need to be large so that you get lots of flavor.
- Old Bay Seasoning: This classic seasoning is perfect for a shrimp boil!
- Red potatoes: Cut these up into quarters and leave the skin on. No need to peel them!
- Salt: The salt will enhance all of the flavors in this recipe.
- Fresh Corn on the Cob: You can find pre-cut and already husked corn at your local grocery store if you want to make this easier on yourself.
- Andouille Sausage: This hearty meat adds some great flavor.
- Shrimp: Make sure that you get shrimp that is peeled and deveined. To make it look nice, then leave the tails on!
- Butter: Unsalted butter works great in this recipe.
- Fresh Parsley: This will be used as a garnish on top of the shrimp boil.
How to Make a Shrimp Boil
Now comes the fun part! You get to put this all together and create a hearty and delicious meal that the entire family is going to love! It’s that good! Once you cook this, you will see why the South has such a good reputation for its food!
- Boil: Fill a large stock pot with 6 quarts of water. Add the squeezed lemon wedges, garlic cloves, quartered onion, and Old Bay Seasoning to the water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add salt and cook potatoes: Add the potatoes and salt, and allow to cook for about 10-15 minutes until the potatoes start to be tender.
- Cook in the corn and sausage: Add the corn and sausage pieces. Cook covered for 5 minutes.
- Add the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pot. Cover and cook until the shrimp starts to turn opaque, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain and transfer: Using a slotted spoon to drain the water, transfer the shrimp, sausage, and vegetables to a large bowl. Save some of the cooking broth for the next step. Remove the boiled lemons and garlic cloves, and use fresh lemon for serving.
- Melt the butter in broth: Place 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl. Pour 1 cup of the seasoned cooking broth into the bowl. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Pour, toss, and coat: Pour the butter liquid over the bowl of shrimp, sausage, and vegetables. Gently toss to coat.
- Transfer to the table: Transfer the shrimp and vegetables to a platter, or traditionally on a dining table lined with plastic tablecloths or newspaper. Serve your shrimp boil with fresh lemon wedges, chopped parsley, and hot sauce if desired.
Variations
A shrimp boil is a casual dish, so adding your other favorite things to it is totally welcome! Here are a couple of ideas that you can try to change things up!
- Add more seafood: If you are a seafood lover and more is calling your name, then add some to this dish! Try adding in some crab, lobster, clams, or scallops for some delicious added flavor and texture!
- Sausage: You can use any sausage in this recipe. I like to use andouille sausage in this recipe because of the unique flavor that it brings to the dish, but you can use Cajun sausage for a different flavor and some added spice!
- Add more veggies: You don’t have to stop at the potatoes and onions! Add in some mushrooms, asparagus, and bell peppers to this shrimp boil!
What to Serve with a Low Country Boil
Because this recipe has so many things in it then side dishes aren’t necessary. But if you are really wanting to go big then for sure add some to the table! Southern cooking is all about variety so this is a great way to add to the meal.
How to Store Leftovers
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers from this shrimp boil, then you are going to have the best meal the next day! Here are a few tips on safely storing this meal to eat later.
- In the refrigerator: Once your shrimp boil has cooled, place all of it in an airtight container in your fridge. It will last for 3-4 days.
- How to Reheat: You can place the ingredients in the microwave and cook it for 30-second increments until the ingredients are warmed through. Enjoy!
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes to Try
Shrimp is so versatile and there are so many different ways to season it and cook it! This makes it so hard to know which recipes to try first. I have saved you the time and energy and rounded up my most popular shrimp recipes for you to start with! These tried and true recipes are simple to make and great for the entire family!
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Shrimp Boil
Equipment
- Large stock pot
Ingredients
- 6 quarts water
- 1 whole lemon, cut into wedges
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (leave whole)
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
- 1/2 cup Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 pound medium red potatoes, quartered (leave the skin on)
- 3 teaspoon salt
- 4 ears fresh corn, husked, cut into 3 inch pieces
- 14 ounces Andouille sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined (leave the tail on for a pretty look)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- 1 whole lemon, sliced for serving
Instructions
- Fill a large stockpot with 6 quarts of water. Add the squeezed lemon wedges, garlic cloves, quartered onion, and Old Bay Seasoning to the water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the potatoes and salt, and allow to cook for about 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are starting to be tender.
- Add the corn and sausage pieces. Cook covered for 5 minutes.
- Add the shrimp to the pot. Cover and cook until the shrimp start to turn opaque, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon to drain the water, transfer the shrimp, sausage, and vegetables to a large bowl. Save some of the cooking broth for the next step. Remove the boiled lemons and garlic cloves, and use fresh lemon for serving.
- Place 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl. Pour in 1 cup of the seasoned cooking broth in the bowl. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Pour the butter liquid over the bowl of shrimp, sausage, and vegetables. Gently toss to coat.
- Transfer the shrimp and vegetables to a platter, or traditionally on a dining table lined with plastic tablecloths or newspaper. Serve with fresh lemon wedges, chopped parsley, and hot sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you have any suggestions for those that are allergic to shellfish? I’ve always wanted to try this, but I can’t because I’m allergic to shellfish.
You could go ahead and eliminate the shrimp from this recipe. The sausage and the veggies with the seasonings will still taste delicious!
Could you add a white fish like chunks of halibut, for those who don’t like shrimp?
Sure! Let me know how it turns out!
You can add in some crab legs, maybe lobster and mussels too. I made this just last week.