A proper Cajun shrimp boil is all about timing and seasoning, and I’ve made enough boils to know exactly where people mess up, overcooked shrimp, bland potatoes, and sauce that tastes like nothing. This version fixes all of that. The shrimp go in at the end so they stay tender, the potatoes get seasoned through, and the butter sauce brings heat, garlic, and lemon without drowning everything. It’s the kind of boil people won’t stop talking about.
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Shrimp Boil Ingredients
- Shrimp: Go for large or jumbo shrimp. Small shrimp cook too fast and get rubbery before the potatoes and corn are even close.
- Potatoes
- Corn on the Cob
- Sausage
- Butter
- Cajun Seasoning
How to Make a Cajun Shrimp Boil
Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Bring a large pot to boil with water. Add enough water to cover the shrimp and vegetables.
- Add the spices, halved lemons, and bay leaves, to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add the halved corn on the cob, halved red potatoes, and andouille sausage to the pot. Stir well to ensure that everything is submerged in the water.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add the shrimp to the pot and stir well to ensure that they are evenly distributed.
- Use a strainer to remove the shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage from the pot and drain the excess water.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Cajun Shrimp Boil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds raw shrimp Shells on or off, your preference.
- 1 pound red potatoes Sliced in half.
- 6 oz smoked sausage Sliced into 1 inch rounds. I use andouille sausage.
- 6 ears mini corn on the cob
- 1 lemon Sliced in half
Cajun Seafood Spices (You can also use a store-bought Cajun seasoning if you wish).
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust to suit your taste and how spicy you want the boil.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot to boil with water. Add enough water to cover the shrimp and vegetables.
- Add the spices, halved lemons, and bay leaves, to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add the halved corn on the cob, halved red potatoes, and andouille sausage to the pot. Stir well to ensure that everything is submerged in the water. Taste the water repeatedly and add additional spices to suit your taste.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add the shrimp to the pot and stir well to ensure that they are evenly distributed.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
- Use a strainer to remove the shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage from the pot and drain the excess water.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Air Fryer Instructions
- The potatoes and shrimp have separate cooking times. So you will need to prepare the dish in stages. You should also cook it in batches based on what will fit in your air fryer.
- Sprinkle all of the ingredients with the spices. Omit the bay leaves if air frying. Drizzle the lemon juice throughout.
- Air fry the potatoes for 7-8 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and add in the corn on the cob, sausage, and shrimp (keep the potatoes in the air fryer). Air fry for an additional 7-10 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender and the shrimp pink is opaque.
- Every air fryer cooks at varying speeds. Your timing may differ. Keep a close eye and monitor progress.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Tips
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly, usually taking only 2-3 minutes to cook through.
The cooking time for vegetables can vary depending on their size and hardness. Corn on the cob and potatoes will take longer to cook than softer vegetables like onions and bell peppers. Corn on the cob and potatoes will need around 10-15 minutes of cook time.
Absolutely! As a seafood lover, I encourage you to add more. You can add crab legs, lobster, clams, mussels, crawfish, scallops, or oysters. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary for different types of seafood, so it’s important to add them to the boil at the appropriate time to ensure they are cooked through but not overcooked.
I always do. The vein is the digestive track, so shrimp poop.
Yep. Most shrimp at the store were frozen anyway. Thaw, pat dry, and you’re good.
As spicy as you want it. Start mild and build with hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, or crushed red pepper.
At the end. Shrimp cook fast, toss them in once the potatoes are tender so they don’t turn rubbery.
It helps. Old Bay, Zatarain’s, Cajun seasoning, or a mix. Use what tastes good to you.
Of course. Use mild Cajun seasoning and skip the cayenne. You still get flavor without the heat.
They turn pink, opaque, and curl into a “C” shape. A tight “O” shape means they’re overcooked.
Dump it right onto a tray or newspaper-lined table, add the butter sauce, and let people go to town. It’s casual by design.
Prep ahead? Yes. Cook ahead? No. Shrimp taste best fresh off the boil.
Remove the shrimp and other seafood from the broth and store them separately from the vegetables and potatoes.
Store the seafood and vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3-4 days. When you store them together, the shrimp and vegetables can become soggy and overcooked, which can affect their texture and taste.
If you have leftover broth, it can be stored separately in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The broth can be reheated and used as a base for soups or stews, or it can be used to make a flavorful sauce for pasta or rice dishes. Use it in my Crab Risotto and Crab Bisque recipes!
You can freeze leftovers tightly covered and sealed for 2-3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Pair With These Recipes
Seafood boils pair great with classic spring and summer side dishes. Here are some of my favorites: Southern Coleslaw, Southern Baked Beans, Southern Soul Food Potato Salad, Seafood Jambalaya with Shrimp, and Southern Red Beans and Rice
More Seafood Boil Recipes and Guides
Seafood Boil Sauce
Cajun Crawfish Boil Recipe
Crawfish Boil Sauce
Seafood Boil in a Bag
How Long to Boil Crawfish
Crawfish Boil Party Guide
What is a Seafood Boil
If you’re looking to plan a gathering, check out our Shrimp Boil Party Guide for tips and how much shrimp to plan for each guest!
Brenda Lara
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
This was a quick and yummy recipe 🤤. Even the kids enjoyed it.
Brandi Crawford
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
Gotta love when that happens!
Ashley
Sunday 21st of May 2023
I can’t believe how delicious and easy this recipe is! I’m amazed as usual with how effortless and fun you’ve made cooking!
Brandi Crawford
Sunday 21st of May 2023
Yay! So glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Felicia
Wednesday 17th of May 2023
I made this for lunch today! That’s how easy it was to make. I really wanted a shrimp boil for lunch, don’t judge me, and this recipe came together fast! The best part is it was so flavorful. I used the boil method. Lunch as ready in under 30 minutes. Definitely will make this again!
Brandi Crawford
Wednesday 17th of May 2023
Perfect for lunch!
Adele
Thursday 11th of May 2023
This looks like a super recipe with lots of good tips but where do you tell how to do this in an air fryer
Brandi Crawford
Thursday 11th of May 2023
In the recipe card. Directly above where you wrote this comment.