A Shrimp Boil is Surprisingly Delicious!

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Shrimp boils are a classic festive meal to share with a group. They’re super-fun to make at home too. I hope you love this twist on the classic. It has mushrooms and dill in it for tons of extra flavor.

Shrimp boils are a classic festive meal to share with a group. They're super-fun to make at home too. I hope you love this twist on the classic. It has mushrooms and dill in it for tons of extra flavor.

When I first learned what a shrimp boil was, I was skeptical. All that food boiled together in one pot? How could that be good?

But then I gave it some thought. There are AMAZING foods that are really just a bunch of things boiled together. Like soup! And Corned beef and cabbage! You know?

My skepticism died down and I tried it. I was delighted and so were my kids.

A unique shrimp boil recipe with mushrooms, dill and lots of soft garlic to squeeze on as a condiment. Click here for the delicious recipe by @cookthestory

The corn was sweet. The red potatoes were vibrant and had soaked up extra flavors from the cooking liquid. The shrimp were tender and juicy. The chunks of onions (which I had only included to flavor the broth) were gobbled up by the kids and adults alike. The whole cloves of garlic that I included were soft and we squeezed them onto everything like a condiment. And the sausage. Boiled sausage? Goooooood! It had added its flavor to everything and so, when you bit into the sausage itself, it matched up with all the other mouthfuls and made you drool for another bite of everything.

I’ve made the shrimp boil a bunch of times now, for my parents, for friends, and again just for me and the kids. Every single time everyone has had so much fun and has gushed about how delicious it all is.

A unique shrimp boil recipe with mushrooms, dill and lots of soft garlic to squeeze on as a condiment. Click here for the delicious recipe by @cookthestory

To have a shrimp boil at home, line your table, or a space in your yard, with plastic garbage bags topped with newspaper. Set out several sets of tongs (to make it easier for people to serve themselves), paper plates, utensils, and LOTS of napkins. Oh, and hot sauce. Make sure there’s hot sauce ALLLLLL around.

Once you’ve drained the liquid out of the pot, you just dump your pot out onto the middle of the newspaper and then everyone digs in. It’s seriously so much fun!

A unique shrimp boil recipe with mushrooms, dill and lots of soft garlic to squeeze on as a condiment. Click here for the delicious recipe by @cookthestory

If you love an easy seafood boil, be sure to also check out my recipe for a low country crawfish boil.

Now, let’s make this shrimp boil recipe:

Shrimp Boil

★★★★★ 4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: Christine Pittman
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Don’t let the long-ish list of ingredients here fool you: This recipe is easy! You basically just throw everything into a pot (but not all at the same time. Read the instructions). There’s very little chopping or cutting or any kind of prep involved.

Ingredients

2 whole lemons, plus 2 more lemons cut into wedges for serving
12 garlic cloves, unpeeled
3 large onions, peeled and quartered (I use sweet ones, like Vidalia)
2 tbsp whole grain mustard
1 tbsp hot sauce, plus more for serving
3 bay leaves
1 tbsp salt
5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 big handful fresh dill, divided
2 and 1/2 lbs whole small red potatoes, larger potatoes cut in half
16 ounces kielbasa, cut into 12–16 pieces
16 ounces whole white mushrooms
6 cobs of corn, shucked and broken in half
3 lbs large (count: 31-35/lb) easy-peel deveined shrimp, leave the shells on
3 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Fill a large pot with 6 quarts of water. Cut the whole lemons in half. Squeeze the juice into the water and add the squeezed lemon halves as well. Add the garlic, onion, mustard, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, bay leaves and salt. Tie the thyme and half of the dill into a bouquet using kitchen twine. Add it to the water. Stir well. Cover and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes. Cover and cook until they’re just tender, 9-10 minutes. Add the kielbasa, mushrooms and corn. Cook covered for 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook covered until pink, 2-3 minutes.
Meanwhile, chop the remaining dill fronds.
Scoop out 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the butter to the liquid and stir until it melts. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp, sausage and vegetables to a large platter. Discard the herb bouquet. Drizzle with the butter mixture.
To Serve: Cover a table with newspaper. Pile the shrimp, sausage and vegetables right on top, or leave everything on the platter. Sprinkle with the chopped dill. Put out the lemon wedges and hot sauce. Squeeze the garlic cloves from the skin as a condiment as well. Make sure there are a lot of napkins on hand before you dig in!

See COOK the STORY's nutrition and recipe disclaimers.

last updated on October 31, 2019 by Christine Pittman

Categories: Easy Entertaining, Entrees

Tags: potatoes, red potatoes, seafood, shrimp, Vidalia Onion Recipes

18 Responses to “A Shrimp Boil is Surprisingly Delicious!”

Kkeller — October 31, 2019 @ 11:56 am (#)

This article is EXTREMELY frustrating since I grew up in the south where we have REAL seafood boils . You don’t pair it with wine . Y’all really know how to gentrify everything .
katie — May 25, 2013 @ 12:12 pm (#)

Yum! I love the spin on the classic shrimp boil! We both have shrimp boii on the mind. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve never done a true shrimp boil! Only on the grill! Must give our recipe a try!
Paula — May 23, 2013 @ 8:43 pm (#)

I love how you served this up by *dumping* it all in the center of the table and letting everyone have at it. While I can’t eat fish of any kind, your meal does look delicious and I know my husband would dive right in.

As for the Pimm’s…a former co-worker of mine is British and we were served Pimm’s at a summer BBQ we attended at their home a few years ago. I enjoyed in very much.
Lisa Huff @ Snappy Gourmet — May 23, 2013 @ 6:54 pm (#)

I LOVE Shrimp Boil!! Looks delish!

★★★★★
Florida Girl — May 23, 2013 @ 2:59 pm (#)

I love my Pimms in the summer!

A shrimp boil is always a good excuse to throw a beach party.

★★★★
- Christine Pittman — May 28, 2013 @ 9:39 am (#)
  
  I have only really ever had Pimms when in the UK (except for the party I mentioned). I wonder why. You are absolutely right that it is the perfect summer drink. I’m going to make sure to find a bottle and play around with some cocktails this summer! What do you like to mix your Pimms with?
Katerina — May 22, 2013 @ 3:06 am (#)

This is a very beautiful way of making the shrimps! I love them anyway prepared!
phyllis — May 21, 2013 @ 8:26 pm (#)

I was lucky enough to be invited for dinner when this recipe was on the menu. It was delicious, colorful, and soooo much fun watching Christi dump it right onto the table. I will be making this for one of our dinner parties too.

★★★★★
- Christine Pittman — May 22, 2013 @ 2:11 pm (#)
  
  Except, I think you’re the one who actually made it. I can’t remember what I was doing but I do remember handing you the recipe and disappearing! It was delicious and fun for sure :)
Rachael {Simply Fresh Cooking} — May 21, 2013 @ 2:55 pm (#)

This is something my hubs and I have always wanted to try! I’ve wondered how it could really be that great, too, but you’ve convinced me! ;)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife — May 21, 2013 @ 1:43 pm (#)

This looks wonderful! I’ve always wanted to so a shrimp boil! Thank you for promoting the giveaway too! So glad that I got to meet you this weekend!
Jane's Adventures in Dinner — May 21, 2013 @ 11:21 am (#)

AWESOMENESS! I’ve lost a few afternoons to Pimm’s punch myself C:

★★★★★
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles — May 20, 2013 @ 5:25 pm (#)

I love everything about this…shrimp boil, wine pairing, and info about the potato trip with Black Gold Farms!
Jersey Girl Cooks — May 20, 2013 @ 4:05 pm (#)

One of my favorite summer meals when we have company.

★★★★★
[email protected] — May 20, 2013 @ 2:19 pm (#)

Love this recipe, Christine! Beautiful!