Old Bay Shrimp Boil

This Old Bay Shrimp Boil Recipe is a hearty, flavorful one-pot recipe of succulent shrimp, smoked sausage, sweet juicy corn, and tender potatoes in a perfectly seasoned broth.

The seafood is then smothered in a homemade Old Bay butter sauce for a finger-licking good time! Set the table and roll up your sleeves because this mouthwatering feast is a seafood lovers dream!

For more seafood boil recipes, try this Seafood Boil and Low Country Boil!

I love a classic shrimp boil recipe. It’s a delicious meal that brings the entire family together like no other. This recipe is a traditional shrimp boil with a bit of a twist. Instead of using cajun seasoning like in my seafood boil recipe, old bay is the star ingredient for this one!

In my humble opinion, as a naturalized Marylander, old bay the BEST seasoning for seafood. I’ve made a South Carolina style shrimp boil (or Frogmore Stew) and crab boil with Zatarain’s crab boil seasoning and it’s amazing, but there’s just something about old bay!! Both are delicious in their own rite, no shade to my friends down south!

Old Bay is a delicious blend of herbs and spices that complements everything from garlic butter crab legs and crab stuffed shrimp to baked lobster tails. It deserves all of the accolades in this easy shrimp boil recipe!

Best part – I also made an old bay seafood boil sauce to go on top for added buttery deliciousness that is just too good – you have GOT to try this sauce!

It’s the best shrimp boil you’ll ever make and is a complete meal all on its own! This tasty shrimp boil recipe will be the star of the show!

Shrimp Boil Ingredients

All of these wonderful flavors come together in one large pot on the stove! Here are the main ingredients needed:

Old Bay Broth

• Chicken broth: chicken broth adds loaded of flavor to the seafood! The more flavorful the broth, the better the taste of the shrimp.
• Beer: This may come as a surprise! A cold beer isn’t just for sipping. Beer actually enhances the flavor of the broth. It also tenderizes the shrimp too! Use your favorite kind (I like using Blue Moon for the orangey citrus flavor)
• Fresh Lemons: lemons and seafood go together like peanut butter and jelly. We’re using lemons here to flavor the broth and brighten the flavor. You can use lemon juice too (about 1/4 cup will do).
• Bay leaves: For a subtle herby and peppery flavor. It adds a nice blend of flavors.
• Garlic & Onions: This recipe calls for lots of fresh garlic so make sure you have plenty! I like using a lot because the garlic and onion make such a flavorful broth.
• Old Bay seasoning: A delicious seasoning blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and ginger, make a delicious seafood seasoning mix. It adds a depth of flavor that is unmatched.
• Garlic powder: For an extra garlicky taste, don’t skip this in your Old Bay shrimp boil!

Shrimp Boil

• Potatoes: Use new potatoes, baby potatoes, or red potatoes cut in half.
• Fresh Corn: you can also use frozen sweet corn, just be sure to cut the ears of corn into 2-inch pieces so it will cook faster. Note – frozen corn takes about 5 minutes longer to cook, so keep that in mind if using frozen.
• Smoky sausage: Andouille sausage is the best sausage for a shrimp boil but if you prefer something milder, use kielbasa. These also add so much flavor to the broth.
• Jumbo shrimp: Use the biggest shrimp you can find. Now is not the time to skimp! You can use fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp here. The best shrimp are the colossal shrimp or jumbo shrimp. Also, you can use peeled or shell-on shrimp, depending on your preference. (The bigger the shrimp the better!) Just make sure the shrimp is deveined. 

Old Bay Butter Sauce

As the other ingredients boil, make this savory, spicy, buttery seasoned butter sauce that perfectly complements the fresh ingredients. It’s similar to my seafood boil in a bag sauce and is so delicious when poured over the juicy shrimp!

• Salted Butter
• Reserved broth from above (you can also use chicken broth)
• Old Bay seasoning
• Fresh parsley
• Red Pepper flakes, optional for a little spice

Tips for the Best Old Bay Shrimp Boil

• Be sure to use a very large pot. I recommend using a 15-20 quart pot. If you don’t have a pot large enough, use two pots and divide the ingredients equally among both pots.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks quickly so watch it closely! You’ll know it’s done when the shrimp turn pink and curl slightly (about 3-5 minutes).
• Be sure not to overcook your potatoes! This shrimp boil recipe calls for new or baby potatoes which are smaller than a russet. They cook a lot quicker so be sure to keep an eye out on them so that they don’t get too mushy.
• Use fresh, non-frozen ingredients in order to minimize prep time.

How to Make Old Bay Shrimp Boil

• Combine water, chicken broth, and beer in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then add lemons, bay leaves, onions, garlic, old bay seasoning, and garlic powder. Carefully stir boiling water together and boil for 5 minutes.
• Add potatoes, corn, and sausage and boil for 10-15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.

• Add shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the shrimp is pink and slightly curled. Cooking times will vary with the size of the shrimp.
• Remove seafood from the pot and add on top of newspapers or a large serving tray. Save 2 cups of the broth.

• Melt butter in a saucepan and add diced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes then old bay and 1-2 cups of the reserved broth. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Pour sauce on top of shrimp and garnish with fresh parsley. Use any leftover sauce for dipping or serve with additional melted butter, fresh lemon, and hot sauce. Add additional old bay seasoning on top if you wish!

What to Serve with Shrimp Boil

Typically, you place newspaper or butcher paper on the picnic table prior to sprawling the seafood onto the table to eat. It makes clean-up a lot easier. You can also use aluminum pans, a sheet pan, a large serving tray, or heat-resistant nylon bags.

Some delicious shrimp boil side dishes include:

• Brioche Dinner Rolls
• House Salad
• Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Easy Homemade Biscuits
• Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
• Buttermilk Cornbread
• Baked Beans with Ground Beef
• Hush Puppies

Storing Leftovers

Some say that this shrimp boil is even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days but avoid the microwave. When you are ready to reheat, simply add some water to a pot with the leftover Old Bay shrimp boil.

Cook it over low heat until it is evenly warmed.

The Old Bay butter sauce can be stored and frozen for up to 2 months. Simply scoop and microwave when you want to use it.

Recipe FAQs

More Seafood Recipes

• Garlic Butter Pan Seared Shrimp
• Crawfish Boil
• Shrimp Remoulade
• Boom Boom Shrimp
• Crispy Shrimp Po’Boy with Old Bay Sauce
• Pan Fried Crab Cakes
• Salmon New Orleans
• Cajun Salmon Pasta

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