Classic Outdoor Shrimp Boil

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 12 to 16 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 15 min
  • Active: 35 min
Loaded with shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes, this Low Country boil will feed a crowd.
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Ingredients

Two 12-ounce bottles lager or pale ale

4 lemons, halved, plus wedges for serving

1 cup seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay

20 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled

1 bunch fresh thyme (20 to 22 sprigs)

3 pounds small potatoes

12 ears corn, shucked and broken in half

2 pounds precooked andouille sausage links, cut into 2-inch chunks

4 pounds extra-large (U15) unpeeled shrimp, tails left on

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for serving

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Hot sauce, for serving

Directions

Special equipment:
a 44-quart outdoor boil pot; kitchen twine
  1. Pour the beer into a 44-quart outdoor boil pot (see Cook's Note) and add 16 quarts cold water. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon halves, then toss them in. Add the seafood seasoning and garlic. Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine and add to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil.
  2. Add the potatoes and cook until they are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the corn and andouille sausage and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 5 minutes.
  3. Carefully drain the low country boil and transfer to a large serving platter, rimmed sheet pan or straight on the table covered in paper. Drizzle with melted butter, then top with the parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter and hot sauce.

Cook’s Note

You can also make this shrimp boil in a very large pot (25 to 44 quarts) on a stovetop.

Let's Get Cooking!

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ChrispyAZ

Easy and excellent. I do it on the stovetop, but even with a big pot you really can’t do more than 4 big portions that way.

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