Skip to main content

No-Frills Shrimp Boil

Image may contain Dish Food Meal Bowl Plant and Stew
Photo by Ted Cavanaugh

Set a large colander in the sink before you add the shrimp so you can drain the seafood boil as soon as it comes off the heat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes
1/4 cup Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil or Old Bay Seasoning, plus more for serving
Kosher salt
2 lemons, divided
4 ears of corn, husked, each ear cut crosswise into quarters
2 pounds shell-on large shrimp, cut along back of shell, deveined
Olive oil (for drizzling)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine potatoes, 1/4 cup Zatarain's, several large pinches of salt, and 5 quarts water in a large stockpot. Cut 1 lemon in half crosswise and squeeze juice into pot, then toss in halves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are fork-tender, 20–25 minutes.

    Step 2

    Add corn to pot; increase heat to high and bring liquid back to a boil. Add shrimp, cover pot, and turn off heat. Poach shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour entire contents of pot into a large colander to drain, then spread out corn, potatoes, and shrimp on a large rimmed baking sheet or sheets of newspaper; discard lemon halves. Sprinkle with more Zatarain's and drizzle with oil. Cut remaining lemon into wedges and serve alongside for squeezing over.

Read More
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
Rotisserie chicken makes quick work of these no-cook rolls with a spicy peanut sauce.
A crowd-friendly, crisp-edged chicken and vegetable rice from chef José Andrés.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
With dramatic choux layers and fruit-rippled cream, it’s the drag queen of Polish desserts.
Tender, buttery breakfast pastries with crisp caramelized edges, a fragrant cinnamon-orange filling, and a crackly sugar topping.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.