Description
A stress-free, flavorful Cajun shrimp boil with corn, sausage, and potatoes that feeds a crowd. This recipe focuses on layering flavors and perfect timing to avoid overcooked shrimp.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds large, unpeeled raw shrimp (heads on preferred)
- 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere’s or homemade)
- 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced into thick coins
- 4 ears sweet corn on the cob, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1.5 pounds small red potatoes, halved
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered (skin on)
- 8 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 large lemons, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 bottle (12 oz) light lager or pilsner beer
- Optional: 1 cup green beans, 1 cup mushrooms, 2 stalks celery
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice sausage, cut corn, halve potatoes, and smash garlic. Measure Cajun seasoning.
- Start the broth: Fill a large pot with 6-8 quarts of water. Add onion, garlic, lemon halves, Cajun seasoning, and beer. Bring to a rolling boil and boil hard for 5 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Add hard vegetables and sausage: Add potatoes and sausage to the boiling broth. Cook for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add corn: Add corn pieces (and optional green beans/mushrooms) to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Cook shrimp: Add raw shrimp to the boiling broth. Cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove pot from heat immediately.
- Rest and serve: Let everything sit in the hot broth for 2-3 minutes off heat. Transfer to a serving tray lined with paper. Drizzle with melted butter and squeeze fresh lemon over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Do not overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if necessary to maintain boiling temperature.’, “Shrimp are done when they curl into a ‘C’ shape; an ‘O’ shape indicates overcooking.”, ‘Save some broth for dipping.’, ‘Thaw frozen shrimp completely in cold water and pat dry before cooking.’, ‘Cajun seasoning is salty; taste the broth before adding potatoes to adjust salt levels.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun shrimp boil, Labor Day recipe, seafood boil, shrimp and sausage, summer dinner, party food, easy seafood recipe