Easy 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.
