Perfect Old Bay Shrimp Boil (Classic Low Country Seafood Feast)

Make a classic Old Bay shrimp boil at home—a flavorful one-pot seafood feast with shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage, and a punchy Old Bay seasoning broth. It’s the perfect communal dish for summer gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 quarts water (or half water + half light beer for extra depth)
• ¼–½ cup Old Bay seasoning (adjust to taste)
• 1–2 lemons, halved or juiced
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4–6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1–2 tablespoons kosher salt (optional, depending on Old Bay saltiness)
• 1–2 bay leaves and/or fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
• 1 lb baby red potatoes, halved
• 4 ears corn, cut into thirds
• 1 lb smoked sausage (e.g. andouille or kielbasa), sliced in 2″ pieces
• 2 lbs raw shrimp, shell-on, deveined (leave tails on for flavor)
• 4 tbsp butter, melted (for finishing sauce)
• Additional Old Bay and parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Seasoned Boil Base:
2. In a large stockpot, combine water (and beer if using), Old Bay, lemon juice and halves, onion, garlic, salt, and herbs. Bring to a rolling boil to infuse flavors.
3. Cook Potatoes:
4. Add potatoes; cook for 8–12 minutes until just tender.
5. Add Sausage & Corn:
6. Stir in sausage and corn; simmer another 5–7 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
7. Add Shrimp:
8. Add shell-on shrimp and cook just 2–4 minutes, until bright pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
9. Serve Feast-Style:
10. Drain everything and transfer to a large platter or spread out over newspaper-covered table. Pour melted butter over top, toss gently, and garnish with extra Old Bay and chopped parsley. Offer lemon wedges and hot sauce on side.