Plated: A shrimp boil for anytime
April 2026
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 4 quarts hot water
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced into 4 – 6 wedges
- 1 garlic bulb (whole head), halved horizontally
- ½ cup Old Bay seasoning (or homemade)
- 1½ teaspoons dried thyme leaves (1 ½ tablespoons fresh)
- 1½ pounds medium red potatoes, cut into fourths
- 4 ears of corn, husked, broken into halves, or cut into fourths
- 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into 1-inch-thick pieces
- 1½ pounds large shrimp, deveined, shell on (head optional)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Fill a large pot (about 12 quarts) with 4 quarts of water. Stir in onion, garlic, Old Bay seasoning, salt (1 tablespoon), and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Add potatoes. Let cook until potatoes are nearly tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Add the corn and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes. Add sausage and cook 4-6 minutes longer.
Gently stir in shrimp and cook until just opaque and pink, about 1-2 minutes.
Immediately drain mixture (reserve 1 cup of the broth for serving). Spread over an extra-large serving platter, baking sheet, or butcher paper on an outside table.
Drizzle with butter and lemon juice. Optional: sprinkle with parsley, additional Old Bay seasoning, and pepper to taste.
Tips: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the boiling water to help the shrimp shells slip off more easily. Don’t toss the broth; save a cup or two and drizzle it over the platter, or use it as an au jus.
Add-ins: One can of beer to the broth. Make a homemade seafood seasoning (instead of Old Bay). Seafood such as crab, lobster, or clams can be added. Experiment with veggies, such as green beans, okra, or asparagus.
Category:
Plated: A shrimp boil for anytime
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