Cooking and Hosting a Shrimp Boil

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:

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce (if using), and salt.
2. Add potatoes and onion to the pot and cook for about 10 minutes.
3. Add smoked sausage and corn to the pot and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
4. Add shrimp to the pot and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
5. Drain the shrimp boil and transfer to a large serving platter.
6. Squeeze lemon halves over the shrimp boil and garnish with fresh parsley.
7. 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!