Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe

This sheet pan Shrimp Boil bursts with deliciously plump shrimp, juicy corn, perfectly cooked potatoes, and savory sausage without all the fuss. It’s the easiest shrimp boil you’ll ever make, and it’s so incredibly tasty!

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We love the ease of a sheet pan dinner like our Salmon and Asparagus or Spatchcock Chicken. It’s easy to prep, simple directions, and fast clean up. Our shrimp boil recipe is quick and easy, but the flavors of butter, old bay seasoning, and lemon juice are unmistakably authentic.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil Recipe

Our shrimp boil recipe keeps true to the fun experience without the hassle of cooking, cleaning, and serving. We parboil the potatoes and corn, then cover everything in an irresistible coating of Old Bay, lemon juice, and butter to bake to perfection in the oven. 

The best part comes after the cooking. Take it out and serve dinner right off the sheet pan! No plates, and no serving utensils, so it’s the perfect summer meal and fun experience in one!

What is a Shrimp Boil?

As the name suggests, a seafood boil is a dish made by boiling the ingredients in a large pot of seasoned liquid. The cook adds each ingredient at the precise time for even cooking, but with our old bay shrimp boil recipe, we’ve cut out the time it takes to babysit the boiling pot without sacrificing flavor.

A classic shrimp boil is a southern meal and experience all wrapped into one. Ingredients vary slightly by region, but they always include shrimp or seafood, potatoes, corn, sausage and Old Bay seasoning.

In the Southeast, it’s called a Low Country Boil and it features local fresh-caught shrimp, crab, or crawfish. On the other hand, Cajun shrimp boil uses andouille sausage for a spicy kick and sometimes a bit of Zatarain’s.

Ingredients

Some seafood boil ingredients may vary slightly by region, but our recipe stays true to the classic mixture of hearty seafood, sausage, and vegetables. It’s a simple list of ingredients, but it delivers big flavor.

• Baby Potatoes  – cut into equal-sized chunks so the potatoes cook evenly. Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes work well cut into equal pieces.
• Corn – cut into 2” slices. You can also use frozen corn as it will cook at about the same time as fresh cobs
• Unsalted Butter – coats the ingredients to help the seasoning stick
• Garlic – fresh is best, but pre-minced works, too
• Old Bay seasoning – this seasoning is a must. It’s what makes the shrimp boil authentic! You can find it at most local grocery stores or even online.
• Smoked Andouille sausage – cut into pieces. Any cajun-style sausage will work, but you can use Polish kielbasa for less heat.
• Large shrimp – Tail-on, large, or jumbo shrimp work best. If you can get your hands on tiger shrimp, do it!
• Lemons – cut into wedges to serve on the side

Seafood Boil Variations

This basic shrimp boil recipe features the classic ingredients, but you can always make some simple swaps to fit your tastes. Try these variations:

• Add a can of beer to the water when boiling the potatoes and corn
• Include other seafood, like clams, crawfish, crab, or lobster
• Add vegetables to the mixture: asparagus, red or yellow onion, or okra
• Try including other spices, like bay leaf, red pepper flakes, or parsley
• Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley, lemon wedges, cornbread, and some hot sauce

How to Make a Shrimp Boil

Follow these easy steps to nail this sheet pan shrimp boil. Bon appetite!

• Boil – potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 10 minutes. Add corn to the boiling pot and cook until the potatoes are nearly tender, about 5 more minutes.
• Drain – the corn and potatoes and place into a large bowl.
• Prepare – the shrimp by cleaning and patting them dry (we keep the tails on). Add the shrimp and sausage to the potato and corn bowl.
• Combine – butter, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the meat and vegetables. Toss to coat.
• Arrange – the mixture onto a large baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked. Serve with lemon wedges.

How to Serve a Shrimp Boil

Traditionally, the seafood, sausage, and vegetables are boiled over an open flame outside in a large stock pot. When the cooking is done, the food is drained and served spread out across a large picnic table that’s been covered in newspaper. Guests gather around a heaping pile of boiled goodies and then chow down using their hands and an occasional napkin.

What to Serve with a Shrimp Boil

A shrimp boil is a hands-down crowd-pleaser and a meal in itself, but just add a few of these sides to the mix, and you’ve got a feast on your hands.

• Garlic Bread
• Coleslaw
• Avocado Corn Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Mac and Cheese

More Easy Seafood Recipes

After you try this Shrimp Boil recipe, check out these other seafood favorites:

• Grilled Salmon
• Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon
• Fish Tacos
• Easy Baked Cod Recipe
• Garlic Butter Air Fryer Salmon
• Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Sauce