A Southern-style low country boil with shrimp, corn, and sausage

Cajun Shrimp Boil

Name: Cajun Shrimp Boil
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 1 large pot
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds large shell-on shrimp; 1 pound baby red potatoes, halved; 4 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds; 1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces; 1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning; 4 cloves garlic, smashed; 2 lemons, halved; 1 large onion, quartered; 6 tablespoons melted butter with garlic for dipping

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

25 min

Total Time

35 min

Servings

1 large pot

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Moderate

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Recipe at a Glance

A classic one-pot shrimp boil loaded with corn on the cob, baby potatoes, andouille sausage, and plump shrimp in a spicy Cajun broth.

Cuisine: American

Category: Main Course

Difficulty: Easy

Cost: $$

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Quick Summary

35 min total time|6 servings|Easy difficulty

A classic one-pot shrimp boil loaded with corn on the cob, baby potatoes, andouille sausage, and plump shrimp in a spicy Cajun broth.

AmericanGluten-FreeDairy-Free

Sarah Chen

February 24, 2026(Updated March 14, 2026)

A shrimp boil is the ultimate communal feast — everything goes into one big pot, gets dumped out onto a newspaper-covered table, and everyone digs in with their hands. It is messy, fun, and absolutely delicious. This Cajun version loads up a fragrant, spicy broth with corn, potatoes, smoky andouille sausage, and the star of the show: sweet, tender shrimp.

The beauty of a shrimp boil is in the layering. Ingredients are added in stages based on cooking time — potatoes first, then corn and sausage, and finally the shrimp at the very end so nothing is over or undercooked. Every component absorbs the spicy, aromatic broth, creating a feast that tastes like a Louisiana backyard party.

Ingredients

2 pounds large shell-on shrimp
1 pound baby red potatoes, halved
4 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds
1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 lemons, halved
1 large onion, quartered
6 tablespoons melted butter with garlic for dipping

Instructions

1
Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts of water. Add Old Bay seasoning, garlic, onion, lemons, and a generous tablespoon of salt. Bring to a rolling boil.
2
Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
3
Add corn and andouille sausage. Cook for 7 minutes.
4
Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and curled.
5
Turn off the heat and let everything sit in the broth for 5 minutes to absorb more flavor.
6
Drain and spread everything out on a butcher paper-lined table or large platter. Serve with garlic butter and lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges

Substitutions

Andouille sausageKielbasa or smoked sausage

Any smoked sausage provides similar flavor and texture

Old BayCajun seasoning or crab boil packets

All provide a bold, spicy seasoning for the broth

Shell-on shrimpCrawfish or Dungeness crab clusters

Either makes the boil more authentic and adds variety

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Shell-on shrimp absorb more flavor from the broth and stay juicier than peeled shrimp.
For extra spice, add a few dashes of liquid crab boil seasoning (like Zatarain's) to the water.
The timing is crucial — set a timer for each stage so you do not overcook the shrimp.
Save some of the boiling liquid for dipping — it is packed with flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate leftover boil in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The components are great cold or reheated.

Reheating

Spread on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also sauté the leftovers in butter in a skillet.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1/6 of the boil) · 6 servings

Calories460

LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein36g

Carbohydrates34g

Fat18g

Fiber3g

Sugar4g

Sodium1100mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Bay seasoning?: Old Bay is an iconic American spice blend featuring celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and over a dozen other spices. It is the quintessential seafood seasoning and is available at virtually every grocery store.
Can I do this outdoors?: Absolutely — outdoor shrimp boils over a propane burner are the traditional way to cook this. Use a large turkey fryer pot with a basket insert for easy draining.

You May Also Search For

American recipes American Main Course easy Main Course recipes best Main Course recipes Gluten-Free recipes Dairy-Free recipes cajun shrimp boil recipe Stovetop recipes

Tags

American Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Stovetop Holiday

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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Instructions

1
Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts of water. Add Old Bay seasoning, garlic, onion, lemons, and a generous tablespoon of salt. Bring to a rolling boil.
2
Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
3
Add corn and andouille sausage. Cook for 7 minutes.
4
Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and curled.
5
Turn off the heat and let everything sit in the broth for 5 minutes to absorb more flavor.
6
Drain and spread everything out on a butcher paper-lined table or large platter. Serve with garlic butter and lemon wedges.

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Shell-on shrimp absorb more flavor from the broth and stay juicier than peeled shrimp.
For extra spice, add a few dashes of liquid crab boil seasoning (like Zatarain's) to the water.
The timing is crucial — set a timer for each stage so you do not overcook the shrimp.
Save some of the boiling liquid for dipping — it is packed with flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate leftover boil in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The components are great cold or reheated.

Reheating

Spread on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also sauté the leftovers in butter in a skillet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Bay seasoning?

Old Bay is an iconic American spice blend featuring celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and over a dozen other spices. It is the quintessential seafood seasoning and is available at virtually every grocery store.

Can I do this outdoors?

Absolutely — outdoor shrimp boils over a propane burner are the traditional way to cook this. Use a large turkey fryer pot with a basket insert for easy draining.