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Fresh shrimp, sweet corn, lemon wedges, and herbs in a flavorful seafood boil. Perfect for gatherings and outdoor cooking.

Old Bay Shrimp Boil Recipe

A classic one-pot American feast featuring tender shrimp, smoky sausage, corn, and potatoes, all simmered in a zesty Old Bay broth and finished with a rich garlic butter drizzle.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 955

Ingredients
  

  • 4 litres of water or a mix of water and light vegetable stock
  • 60 g Old Bay Seasoning
  • 2 large lemons one halved, one cut into wedges for serving
  • 1 large onion peeled and quartered
  • 1 whole head of garlic sliced in half horizontally
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 700 g new potatoes like Charlotte, scrubbed and larger ones halved
  • 400 g smoked sausage like Andouille or Kielbasa, cut into 5cm chunks
  • 4 cobs of sweetcorn husked and cut into thirds
  • 900 g large raw king prawns shell-on or peeled
  • 115 g unsalted butter melted
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • A small handful of fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

  1. Create the Aromatic Broth: In a large stockpot (at least 8-10 litres), combine the 4 litres of water, 60g of Old Bay Seasoning, the quartered onion, the halved head of garlic, and the bay leaves. Squeeze the juice from the halved lemon into the pot, then add the squeezed halves as well. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
  2. Cook the Potatoes: Once boiling, add the new potatoes to the pot. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a steady, strong simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are just beginning to become tender when pierced with a knife.
  3. Add the Sausage: Add the sausage chunks to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. The sausage will release its smoky flavour into the broth, adding another delicious layer.
  4. Add the Corn: Gently place the corn pieces into the pot. Let them cook for 4-5 minutes. The kernels should be bright yellow and tender.
  5. Cook the Shrimp: This is the final and fastest step. Add the raw prawns to the pot and stir gently. Cook for just 2-3 minutes. What works best for me is watching them closely; as soon as they turn pink, opaque, and curl into a 'C' shape, they are perfectly cooked. Do not overcook them.
  6. Drain and Prepare to Serve: Immediately turn off the heat. Using a large slotted spoon or spider strainer, carefully remove all the solids (potatoes, sausage, corn, shrimp) and transfer them to a very large serving platter or a newspaper-lined table. Discard the onion, garlic head, bay leaves, and lemon halves from the pot.
  7. Make the Butter Drizzle: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, and a tablespoon of the remaining cooking liquid from the pot.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the garlic butter all over the shrimp boil on the platter. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with the fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

Notes

Traditionally served piled high on a newspaper-lined table for a fun, communal meal. Have crusty bread on hand for dipping in the garlic butter.