Mardi Gras Shrimp Boil (Printable)
A lively Southern dish with shrimp, corn, smoked sausage, potatoes, and bold Cajun spices.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1.5 lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on preferred
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 ears corn, each cut into 3 pieces
03 - 1.5 lbs small red potatoes, halved if large
04 - 1 large yellow onion, quartered
05 - 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
→ Sausage
06 - 1 lb smoked Andouille sausage, sliced into 1-inch pieces
→ Spices & Flavorings
07 - 1/3 cup Cajun or Creole seasoning
08 - 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
09 - 3 bay leaves
10 - 1 lemon, sliced
11 - 2 tsp salt
12 - 1 tsp black peppercorns
13 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional for extra heat
→ Liquids
14 - 12 cups water
15 - 1 (12 oz) bottle beer, optional for flavor
→ To Serve
16 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Lemon wedges
# How-to Steps:
01 - Fill a large stockpot with water and beer if using. Add Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, lemon slices, and garlic. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add potatoes and onion to the boiling liquid. Boil for 12–15 minutes until potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork.
03 - Stir in corn and sausage pieces. Cook for 7–8 minutes until corn is bright yellow and sausage is heated through.
04 - Add shrimp and simmer for 2–3 minutes just until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook or shrimp will become rubbery.
05 - Drain the boil thoroughly in a colander, discarding the bay leaves and lemon slices.
06 - Spread the contents onto a large serving tray or newspaper-lined table for a traditional presentation. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
07 - Serve hot with lemon wedges and extra Cajun seasoning on the side for guests to adjust seasoning to taste.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot so you spend more time with people and less time at the stove
- The build your own plate situation means everyone gets exactly what they crave
- Leftovers (if you somehow have any) taste even better the next day
02 -
- Shrimp continue cooking after you remove them from heat so undercook slightly
- The timing only works if your potatoes are cut to similar sizes
- Test doneness by tasting not just following the clock precisely
03 -
- Buy the biggest pot you can afford it will change your outdoor cooking game
- Pre cut everything before starting once the boil begins things move fast