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low country boil recipe

Low Country Boil

This iconic Southern one-pot feast combines succulent seafood, smoky sausage, and fresh vegetables in a perfectly seasoned broth. Designed for sharing, this communal meal brings people together with minimal fuss and maximum flavor, creating an authentic coastal dining experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 5 pounds large shrimp in the shell, fresh preferred
  • 5 pounds smoked sausage cut into chunks (kielbasa or andouille work well)
  • 15 medium red potatoes whole, skin-on
  • 15 ears corn husked and broken in half
  • 1 bag shrimp boil seasoning containing bay leaves, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and cayenne
  • 10 quarts water

Equipment

  • Large pot with strainer basket
  • Newspaper (for serving)

Method
 

  1. Fill a large pot with 10 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the bag of shrimp boil seasoning to the boiling water.
  3. Add the red potatoes to the pot and cook for 15 minutes to begin softening.
  4. Add the corn halves and smoked sausage chunks to the pot. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes.
  5. Add the shell-on shrimp to the pot and cook for just 8-10 minutes until they turn pink. Be careful not to overcook.
  6. Drain the mixture and serve immediately, either dumped onto newspaper-covered tables for a traditional communal experience or in large serving bowls.

Notes

For an authentic experience, serve this Low Country Boil directly on newspaper-covered tables and invite guests to eat with their hands. The shells add flavor during cooking, but provide small bowls for discarding them while eating.
This recipe scales easily - just maintain the cooking order and timing. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, though the shrimp is best enjoyed fresh.
For a complete meal, serve with melted butter for dipping, lemon wedges, hot sauce, garlic bread, and cold beverages like sweet tea or light beer.