Low-Country Boil

This amazing Low-Country boil brings all the flavors of the South right to your dinner table! Your whole family will absolutely love this hearty one-pot meal that feeds a crowd without any fuss. The best part is you only need one big pot to create this delicious feast that’s packed with shrimp, sausage, and fresh vegetables.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 20 minutes, Additional Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes, Serves: 8 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Low-Sodium, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 353 Calories, 20g Fat, 26g Carbs, 19g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Water: You’ll need 6 quarts of water, which is your cooking base. This might seem like a lot, but you need plenty of room for all those delicious ingredients!

Old Bay seasoning: 4 teaspoons of this classic seafood seasoning brings that authentic coastal flavor. It’s the secret to making this dish taste just right.

Mustard seeds: 1 tablespoon adds a nice tangy bite to the broth. These little seeds pack so much flavor when they cook!

Coriander seeds: 1 tablespoon gives a warm, citrusy note that makes everything taste amazing. You can find these in the spice section of any grocery store.

Cayenne pepper: 2 teaspoons brings the heat! Feel free to use less if you prefer things milder – you’re in control here.

Dill seed: 1 teaspoon adds that fresh, herby flavor that goes perfectly with seafood. It’s like a little taste of summer in every bite.

Allspice berries: 1 teaspoon gives a warm, complex flavor that ties everything together beautifully. These little berries are flavor powerhouses!

Bay leaves: 2 leaves add that earthy, aromatic depth to your cooking liquid. Don’t forget to remove them before serving!

Baby red potatoes: 1 pound of these little gems hold their shape perfectly and soak up all those wonderful flavors. No need to peel them – just give them a good scrub.

Kielbasa sausage: 8 ounces cut into 8 pieces adds that smoky, savory element everyone loves. Any good quality kielbasa will work great here.

Raw shrimp: 24 unpeeled shrimp (21-25 count) are the star of the show! Keeping the shells on helps them stay tender and adds more flavor to the broth.

Green beans: 1 pound trimmed gives you extra veggies and that perfect tender-crisp texture. Fresh green beans work best, but frozen will do in a pinch.

Corn: 4 ears husked and cut in half bring sweetness and that classic summer feel. Fresh corn on the cob makes this dish extra special.

Pearl onions: 2 cups frozen saves you time and adds that mild onion flavor throughout. No need to thaw them first – just toss them right in!

Butter or ghee: ½ cup melted for dipping makes everything even more delicious. This is what takes the dish from good to absolutely amazing!

How to Make Low-Country Boil

Step 1: Grab your largest stockpot and combine the water with all your spices. Add the Old Bay, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, cayenne, dill seed, allspice, and bay leaves. Bring this flavorful mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Add your potatoes and kielbasa pieces to the boiling water. Let them cook for 18 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are almost tender when you poke them with a fork. The sausage will start releasing its delicious flavors into the broth.

Step 3: Now comes the fun part! Add your shrimp, green beans, corn, and frozen pearl onions all at once. Cook for just 5 to 6 minutes more until the shrimp turn pink and the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Step 4: Drain everything in a large colander and dump it all out on newspaper or a large serving platter. Serve immediately with that melted butter for dipping – trust me, you’ll want to dip everything!

Easy and Quick Low-Country Boil Version

Want to make this even easier? You can use 2 tablespoons of pre-made seafood boil seasoning instead of all the individual spices! Just add it to the water with 2 bay leaves and you’re good to go. You can also use pre-cooked sausage to cut down on cooking time – just add it with the shrimp in the last step.

Serving Ideas

This Low-Country boil is already a complete meal all by itself! Serve it with some crusty French bread to soak up all those amazing flavors. A simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette makes a nice fresh contrast to all the rich, savory goodness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in airtight containers. To reheat, just steam everything gently in a large pot with a little water for 3-4 minutes. The shrimp might get a bit more cooked, but it’ll still taste great!

Substitutions

No kielbasa? Try andouille sausage or even smoked turkey sausage for a lighter option. Can’t find pearl onions? Just chop up a large regular onion and add it with the potatoes. Fresh corn not in season? Frozen corn on the cob works just fine – add it at the same time as the shrimp.

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp: They’re done as soon as they turn pink – usually just 3-4 minutes!
• Test your potatoes: They should be fork-tender but not falling apart when you add the shrimp.
• Save some cooking liquid: Keep a cup of that seasoned broth – it makes an amazing base for seafood soup later!
• Newspaper is traditional: Spread out newspaper on your table and dump everything right on top for the most authentic experience.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

This dish is really best served fresh and hot right after cooking! The shrimp and vegetables can get overcooked if you try to reheat everything. But you can definitely prep all your ingredients ahead of time to make cooking day easier.

What size shrimp should I use?

21-25 count shrimp are perfect – they’re big enough to not get lost but small enough to cook quickly. You bet you can use larger shrimp, just watch the cooking time so they don’t get tough!

Can I make this less spicy?

Sure! Just cut the cayenne pepper in half or leave it out completely. The Old Bay seasoning has some heat too, so you can reduce that to 2-3 teaspoons if you want it really mild.

Do I have to use all those spices?

The spices really make this dish special, but you can definitely use a pre-made seafood boil seasoning mix instead. Look for brands like Zatarain’s or Old Bay’s crab boil seasoning – they work great!

Final Thoughts

I hope your family loves this Low-Country boil as much as mine does! It’s such a fun way to bring everyone together around the table. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any tweaks you make to make it your own!