The Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that brings the spirit of a coastal seafood feast right to your kitchen. This meal combines tender shrimp, smoky sausage, and sweet corn with perfectly cooked baby potatoes, all tossed in a luscious Cajun butter sauce that sings with a southern kick. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or create a fun family dinner, this recipe is straightforward, satisfying, and truly bursting with bold flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe is a breeze thanks to its simple yet essential ingredients. Each component has its role, adding layers of taste, texture, and color that come together in one irresistible dish.
- Water for boiling: The foundation that cooks everything evenly and creates the flavorful cooking bath.
- Old Bay Seasoning (4 tablespoons): A classic seafood blend that infuses the potatoes, corn, and more with a savory, aromatic punch.
- Baby potatoes (8 oz., halved): Their creamy interior offers a hearty, comforting bite to balance the seafood.
- Corn on the cob (2 ears, cut into pieces): Adds sweetness and vibrant color to the mix, making the dish more visually appealing.
- Smoked sausage (12 oz., sliced): Brings a smoky depth and protein-rich contrast that perfectly complements the shrimp.
- Shrimp (1 lb., shelled and deveined with tail-on): The star of the recipe — tender, juicy, and quick to cook to a perfect pink hue.
- Chopped parsley (1 tablespoon): A fresh, herbaceous garnish that lifts the dish’s presentation and flavor.
- Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons, melted): Creates the rich, silky Cajun butter sauce that coats all the ingredients beautifully.
- Cajun seasoning (1 1/2 tablespoons): The bold spice blend that adds warmth and heat, making this boil unforgettable.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Step 1: Boil the Potatoes and Corn
Start by filling a large stockpot halfway with water and bringing it to a rolling boil on high heat. Adding the Old Bay seasoning early on means your potatoes and corn soak up all that authentic flavor as they cook. Toss in the halved baby potatoes and corn pieces, cover the pot, and let everything cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender but still hold their shape.
Step 2: Prepare the Cajun Butter Sauce
While your potatoes and corn are boiling away, stir together the melted unsalted butter and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. This mixture is going to be the luscious, spicy sauce that brings all the elements of your shrimp boil together in a deliciously cohesive way. Set it aside for now.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp and Sausage
Once the potatoes and corn are nearly done, add the shrimp and smoked sausage slices directly into the boiling pot. These only need about one minute to cook until the shrimp turns a beautiful orange-pink, signaling they’re perfectly done. Overcooking can toughen shrimp, so keep an eye on this quick step.
Step 4: Drain and Toss with Cajun Butter
After cooking, carefully drain all the boiled ingredients using a colander. You might have to do this in batches to avoid crowding. Then, heat a skillet over high heat, add your Cajun butter sauce, and toss in the drained shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn. Stir them around so that every bite is coated in that rich, spicy butter flavor. Finally, transfer it all to a large serving platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color.
How to Serve Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley is a simple but effective garnish, both adding a hint of herbal brightness and enhancing the visual appeal. For an extra zing, you can also serve lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the shrimp boil, brightening the rich flavors even further.
Side Dishes
This shrimp boil shines on its own, but if you’d like to serve sides, consider a crisp green salad or a loaf of crusty bread to soak up the buttery Cajun sauce. Coleslaw or a light cucumber salad can also provide a refreshing crunch to balance the hearty elements.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe on newspaper spread out on the table, mimicking a traditional seafood boil experience. Alternatively, present it family-style on large trays so everyone can dig in together. You could also portion it into individual bowls topped with extra parsley and a drizzle of additional Cajun butter for a more upscale look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from your shrimp boil should be cooled completely and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen overnight, though shrimp can lose some texture, so aim to eat these within 2 days for the best taste and safety.
Freezing
Freezing shrimp boil leftovers is generally not recommended because the shrimp’s texture can become rubbery when thawed. However, you can freeze the potatoes, sausage, and corn separately if you want to prepare parts of the meal ahead of time.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or additional butter to keep everything moist and delicious. Avoid microwaving for too long, as that risks drying out the shrimp. Warm slowly and stir often to bring back some freshness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen shrimp. Just be sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure they cook evenly and don’t release too much water into the boil.
What kind of sausage is best for a shrimp boil?
Smoked sausage, like Hillshire Smoke Sausage Rope, is ideal because it adds smoky, savory richness without overpowering the other flavors. And its firm texture holds up well during boiling.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The Cajun seasoning adds a warm, mildly spicy kick, but it’s not overwhelmingly hot. You can always adjust the amount to suit your heat preference by adding less or more Cajun seasoning.
Can I prepare this recipe for a larger group?
Absolutely! The beauty of the Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe is how easily it scales up. Just use a bigger pot and increase ingredient quantities proportionally for your crowd.
What can I substitute if I don’t have Old Bay seasoning?
If you don’t have Old Bay, a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne can work well. The goal is to add that classic seafood boil flavor profile to the water.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about gathering around a feast like this Easy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe. It’s simple to make but feels special and indulgent—perfect for sharing great food and good times with friends or family. Once you try this, it will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for celebrating the flavors of summer or anytime you want a comforting yet exciting meal. So grab your pot, gather your ingredients, and dive into this delicious Southern-inspired tradition!
PrintEasy Shrimp Boil with Cajun Seasoning Recipe
A classic Southern-style Shrimp Boil featuring baby potatoes, corn on the cob, smoked sausage, and succulent shrimp, all seasoned with Old Bay and Cajun spices, then tossed in a rich, buttery sauce for a flavorful, communal seafood feast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Boil Ingredients
- Water (for boiling, enough to fill a large stockpot halfway)
- 4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 8 oz. (230g) baby potatoes, cut into halves
- 2 ears corn on the cob, cut into 2-inch (5cm) pieces
- 12 oz. (350g) smoked sausage (Hillshire Smoke Sausage Rope), cut into pieces
- 1 lb. (500g) shrimp, shelled, deveined, tail-in
Cajun Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (McCormick)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes and Corn: Fill a large stockpot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the Old Bay seasoning, followed by the baby potatoes and corn pieces. Cover the pot and boil for 8 to 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Prepare Cajun Butter: While the potatoes and corn cook, combine the melted unsalted butter with the Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Stir well and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Add Shrimp and Sausage: Add the smoked sausage pieces and the shrimp to the boiling pot. Boil for about 1 minute or until the shrimp turn a vibrant orange-pink color. Remove the pot from heat carefully.
- Drain Ingredients: Use a colander to drain all the boiled ingredients. You may need to do this in batches if your colander size is limited to avoid spilling.
- Toss with Cajun Butter Sauce: Heat a skillet over high heat, add the Cajun butter sauce to the boiled ingredients, and stir to coat everything evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the shrimp boil mixture onto a serving platter or sheet pan. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for freshness and color. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its best.
Notes
- Make sure the shrimp are tail-in for easier handling and better presentation.
- You can adjust the amount of Old Bay and Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
- Use a large enough stockpot to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Serve the shrimp boil with lemon wedges and extra melted butter if desired for additional flavor.
- Be cautious when draining hot water and ingredients to avoid burns.
