Best Old Fashioned Shrimp Boil Recipes

CLASSIC OUTDOOR SHRIMP BOIL

Steps:

• Pour the beer into a 44-quart outdoor boil pot (see Cook's Note) and add 16 quarts cold water. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon halves, then toss them in. Add the seafood seasoning and garlic. Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine and add to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil.
• Add the potatoes and cook until they are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the corn and andouille sausage and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 5 minutes.
• Carefully drain the low country boil and transfer to a large serving platter, rimmed sheet pan or straight on the table covered in paper. Drizzle with melted butter, then top with the parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter and hot sauce.

OLD FASHIONED SHRIMP BOIL

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water and first 7 ingredients to a boil in a 12-quart stockpot.
• Add potatoes; simmer 15 minutes.
• Add corn and sausage; simmer 8 minutes.
• Add shrimp, cover, and turn off heat.
• Let shrimp sit 10 to 15 minutes to absorb flavor.
• Drain liquid, and spread shrimp boil out on a newspaper-covered table.
• Serve with baguette slices, lemon wedges, melted butter, and Old Bay seasoning.

OLD CHARLESTON STYLE SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk grits into the boiling water, and then whisk in half-and-half. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until grits are thickened and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• Sprinkle shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Add lemon juice, toss to combine, and set aside to marinate.
• Place sausage slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet.
• Add bacon to the same skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Cook until evenly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then chop or crumble when cool enough to handle. Leave bacon drippings in the skillet.
• Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bacon drippings; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.
• Stir cooked sausage and marinated shrimp into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Turn off the heat and set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, stirring to create a smooth roux. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is golden brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, mixture burns easily.
• Pour the roux over the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Place the skillet over medium heat, add chicken broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine. Cook until sauce thickens up and shrimp turn opaque and bright pink, about 8 minutes.
• Just before serving, mix sharp Cheddar cheese into grits until melted and grits are creamy and light yellow. Serve shrimp mixture over cheese grits.

OLD BAY SHRIMP BOIL

Steps:

• In an 8-quart stock pot, bring Old Bay, salt, water and beer to a boil.
• Add potatoes and onions; cook over high heat for 8 minutes.
• Add smoked sausage; continue to cook on high for 5 minutes.
• Add corn to pot; continue to boil for 7 minutes.
• Add shrimp in shells, cook for 4 minutes.
• Drain cookin liquid; pour contents of pot into several large bowl or shallow pails.
• Sprinkle with additional Old Bay.