Description
A classic Southern shrimp boil featuring tender shrimp, hearty red potatoes, flavorful andouille sausage, and sweet corn all cooked together in a seasoned broth. This one-pot meal is infused with Old Bay seasoning, fresh thyme, garlic, and onion, then finished with a buttery lemon drizzle and fresh parsley for a savory, satisfying seafood feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Seasoning
- 4 quarts hot water
- 1 large red onion (or yellow onion), sliced into 4 – 6 wedges
- 1 garlic bulb (whole head), halved horizontally
- 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 1/2 tsp dried)
Vegetables and Protein
- 1 1/2 lbs medium red potatoes, cut into fourths
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 ears corn, husked, cut into fourths or broken into halves
- 14 oz. andouille sausage, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, deveined, peeled if preferred
Finishing Touches
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: Fill a large pot (about 12 quarts) with 4 quarts of water. Stir in the sliced onion, halved garlic bulb, Old Bay seasoning, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook Potatoes: Add the quartered red potatoes to the boiling broth and season with salt (about 1 tablespoon). Cook until the potatoes are nearly tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add Corn and Sausage: Add the cut corn to the pot and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Next, add the sliced andouille sausage and cook for 4 more minutes.
- Cook Shrimp: Gently stir in the shrimp and cook until they turn opaque and pink, about 1 to 2 minutes, being careful not to overcook.
- Drain and Serve: Drain the shrimp boil mixture, reserving up to 1/4 cup of the broth if desired for serving. Spread the contents onto a large serving platter or baking sheet.
- Finish with Butter and Lemon: Drizzle the melted butter and fresh lemon juice over the shrimp boil. Sprinkle with minced parsley, additional Old Bay seasoning, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Notes
- This shrimp boil is a Southern classic combining seafood, vegetables, and sausage cooked together for deep flavor.
- Peeling the shrimp before cooking is optional based on preference.
- Reserving some cooking broth can add flavor if served alongside or used for dipping.
- Adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning and lemon juice to your personal taste.
- Use a large enough pot to accommodate ingredients and prevent overcrowding, which helps even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 589 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 826 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 372 mg
