A shrimp boil is a classic Southern dish that’s perfect for gathering friends and family together. This one-pot meal is easy to prepare and is bursting with flavor. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to cook and host a shrimp boil that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients for Shrimp Boil:
- 3 pounds large shrimp, shell-on
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 6 ears corn, halved
- 2 pounds small red potatoes
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons, halved
- 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Shrimp Boil:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce (if using), and salt.
- Add potatoes and onion to the pot and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add smoked sausage and corn to the pot and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
- Add shrimp to the pot and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Drain the shrimp boil and transfer to a large serving platter.
- Squeeze lemon halves over the shrimp boil and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with additional hot sauce on the side, if desired.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Shrimp: Use large shrimp with the shell on for the best flavor. The shells will add extra flavor to the broth as the shrimp cook.
- Smoked Sausage: Adds a savory and smoky flavor to the shrimp boil. Use a spicy sausage for an extra kick.
- Corn: Use fresh corn on the cob and cut it into halves or thirds. The corn will soak up the flavors of the broth and become incredibly flavorful.
- Potatoes: Use small red potatoes or baby potatoes. They hold their shape well during cooking and absorb the flavors of the broth.
- Onion and Garlic: Add depth of flavor to the broth and complement the other ingredients.
- Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seasoning blend for seafood boils, Old Bay adds a perfect blend of spices and herbs.
- Hot Sauce: Optional, but adds a nice kick of heat to the shrimp boil.
Hosting a shrimp boil is a fun and casual way to entertain guests. Serve the shrimp boil on a large table lined with newspaper for easy cleanup, and let everyone dig in!
