Low-Country Boil with Shrimp, Corn, and Sausage

A classic Southern seafood boil featuring fresh shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and potatoes seasoned with Old Bay and served with cocktail sauce and melted butter. This crowd-pleasing one-pot meal is perfect for casual outdoor gatherings.

8 servings
32 min

Ingredients

  • 2 whole lemons, quartered
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
  • ¾ cup crab and shrimp boil seasoning
  • 2 pounds smoked pork sausage
  • 2 whole sweet or yellow onions
  • 8 ears corn
  • 4 pounds fresh large shrimp
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2⅔ tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 2⅔ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • to taste Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • to taste Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 1 whole stockpot
  • 1 whole perforated insert
  • 2 whole large pots

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Fill stockpot with 6 qt. water (if using 2 pots, divide ingredients and water between them). Add lemons, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, and 1/2 cup seasoning, cover, and bring to a rolling boil. Add potatoes, return to a boil, and cook 7 minutes. Add sausage and onions, return to a boil, and cook 5 minutes. Add corn, return to a boil, and cook until corn is cooked and potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 5 minutes more.

    17 min

  2. 2.

    Add shrimp and cook (no need to return to a boil), stirring gently, until shrimp turn pink, about 3 minutes. Remove insert or drain through a very large colander.

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Stir ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and hot sauce, if using, in a medium bowl.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in lemon juice and hot sauce, if using. Taste and add more lemon juice, if needed. Cover and let sit in a warm place.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Serve shrimp boil on a newspaper-lined table or large platters. Dust with additional Old Bay, if using. Serve with sauces alongside, if desired.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Cocktail sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill.