Cajun Shrimp Boil

Content… What Is It? How to Make It How to Peel and Devein Shrimp Recipe Notes & Tips Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions Shrimp Boil Leftover Makeover What to Serve More Soul-Satisfying Cajun Recipes to Love

What Is a Cajun Shrimp Boil?

Seafood boil generally refers to social events involving shellfish, like crawfish, shrimp, and crabs. The crawfish boil is a popular Louisiana Cajun tradition. Crawfish Boil Festivals celebrate the tradition, while churches and other organizations take advantage of them for fundraising events. And families enjoy seafood boils for weekend get-togethers when everyone can kick back and enjoy each other’s company. 

Boiling everything together in a huge pot was the original method, but steaming and baking work in a seafood boil recipe. The kinds of seafood used and side dishes differ according to the region where people enjoy the seafood boil.

One dear reader explained that the ingenious Frogmore people of the Sea Islands of Beaufort, SC, invented this amazing recipe in the 1940s. So there, they call it Frogmore stew. Whatever you call it, it’s absolutely wonderful.

How to Make Cajun-Style Shrimp Boil

The Boil

• Preheat oven to 400℉ (205℃). Then spray a sheet pan with a nonstick spray and set aside.
• Potatoes – Fill a large pot with water, season with salt, and then add the potatoes and thyme. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Potatoes should be fork-tender yet firm. (Photos 1-2)
• Add corn and cook for 3-5 minutes. Drain water. (Photos 3-4)
• Combine the butter, Creole seasoning, garlic, and thyme in a small pan. You could also add onions. (Photo 5)
• Saute – On medium-low heat, saute the seasonings in the butter for 30-60 seconds, then remove from heat. (Photo 6)
• Season – Add the Creole butter sauce to the shrimp, potatoes, and corn, and stir until everything is evenly coated. (Photos 7-8)
• Assemble – Line all the ingredients in a single layer on a baking sheet and add the sliced Andouille sausage. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Creole Seasoning. (Photos 9-10)
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
• Serve – Garnish with sliced lemon and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

Alternative Grilling Method

• Make Packets – Divide the ingredients between 3-4 aluminum foil packets. Fold the edges up and around the shrimp boil ingredients. Close the packet for heat retention and to keep moisture in.
• Grill – Place on a preheated grill over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes per side.
• Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

How to Peel and Devein Shrimp

• Remove the head and legs.
• Peel the outer shell starting with the head end. Keep the last part of the shell with the tail tip for decorative purposes.
• Make a shallow cut on the outer edge of the shrimp’s back with a paring knife about a half-centimeter deep until you see the vein.
• Pull the vein with your fingers or the tip of a paring knife.
• If you want to keep the shells on, make a shallow cut on the shell and the outer edge of the shrimp’s back using kitchen scissors and pull out the vein.
• Use the shells to make an amazing seafood broth, or freeze them for later.

Recipe Notes

1. Cook the potatoes and corn first because they take the longest. If doing a full boil, add the shrimp a minute before you’re ready to serve because they cook quite quickly.
2. As soon as the shrimp are opaque, bright pink or orange, and the tails curl, you know it’s good to go. Small shrimp may only take a minute, while the cook time for large shrimp can take 3-5 minutes.
3. Zatarain’s boil seasoning (salt, dextrose, spices, natural flavor, paprika, MSG, lemon puree, sugar, and lemon juice) is a classic, but DIY is easy. I prefer mixing salt, mustard seeds, peppercorns, thyme, smoked paprika, red pepper, celery seeds, oregano, and bay leaves for a DIY shrimp boil seasoning recipe.
4. Check out the crawfish boil video on YouTube for another way to put this deliciousness together.
5. Add a stalk of celery and a quartered lemon to the boiling water if desired. Thanks for the suggestion, Don!

Making Ahead and Storage Instructions

This soul-satisfying goodness is best fresh. However, you can prepare everything the day before and cook it the next day when ready to serve. Make the Cajun butter and store it in a wide-mouthed glass jar. Then, have everything else prepped and ready to go.

Refrigerate leftover Cajun shrimp boil in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or saucepan for a fast lunch on a crazy busy day.

Shrimp Boil Leftover Makeover

1. Soup. Cut leftover corn off the cob, cube the potatoes, and assemble all ingredients (including the broth) for an incredible Cajun shrimp boil soup. I usually add a little bouillon for more flavor.
2. Omelet. Cut the corn off the cob, chop the sausage and potatoes into cubes, and mix it all with the shrimp. Make an omelet or combine it with beaten eggs and cheese for a fantastic frittata.
3. Pasta salad. Add cut-up leftovers to the pasta salad of your choice.

What to Pair With Shrimp Boil

Save time by making the sides for a complete summer outdoor meal. Coleslaw, potato salad, hush puppies, cornbread, and baked beans are classics.

More Soul-Satisfying Cajun Recipes to Love

1. Corn Shrimp Soup
2. Crawfish Etouffee
3. Seafood Gumbo
4. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
5. Blackened Shrimp and Pasta

By Imma

This blog post was originally published in June 2021 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos