One big pot, fresh seafood, and a few other simple ingredients for one of the South’s favorite meals. Full of amazing flavors from herbs, spices, and sausage combined with summer corn, onions, and potatoes, a classic Low Country Boil is a favorite of everyone around the table.
A low country boil is a unique thing in the South. It’s a whole meal cooked in one big pot, but it’s also an event, like in “I’m going to a low country boil,” which means you’re going to a party serving a traditional low country boil. Am I making sense? How cool has a recipe born out of necessity become so celebrated?
One of the reasons I think a low-county boil is such a favorite dish to serve is because it’s easy. The ingredients go into one big pot; all you need to ensure success is a timer. Another reason everyone loves it is because of the flavor. It’s hard to tell which ingredient is the star of the show, but for me, perfectly seasoned and cooked shrimp always wins out. Next is the corn, which gets flavored with all the juices from the shrimp, sausage, and Old Bay seasoning…it’s just heavenly.
This past week, our family spent a week at one of our favorite places – the beach. We’ve been going to the same stretch of beautiful Crystal Coast for years and have unique traditions there. One of those traditions includes a low country boil, which never disappoints. I serve melted butter, lemon wedges, homemade cocktail sauce, horseradish sauce, and our favorite hot sauce alongside this fantastic dish. When it’s time for the feast, all that’s needed is a newspaper tablecloth and many paper towels.
If you’re looking for an outstanding way to entertain, then a family-style seafood boil is the answer. It’s a perfect way to feed a family or a crowd, and cleaning up is a breeze. This special one-pot meal guarantees happy memories will be made around the table year after year!
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Low Country Boil Questions, Answered
The classics are shrimp, smoked sausage, fresh corn cut into pieces, and small potatoes — all cooked together in one big pot seasoned generously with Old Bay. The shrimp is always the star for me, but the corn soaks up all those incredible flavors from the sausage and seasoning and becomes something truly special on its own.
Shrimp cooks fast — usually just 2 to 3 minutes once it goes into the pot. You’ll know they’re done when they turn pink and start to curl into a C shape. Pull the pot off the heat right away so they don’t overcook. Timing is the key to a great low country boil.
Melted butter, fresh lemon wedges, and your favorite hot sauce are essential. I also love having cocktail sauce on the side. For the full experience, dump everything out onto a table covered with newspaper — that’s the Southern way and it makes cleanup a breeze.
For a hungry crowd, plan on about ½ pound of shrimp per person, one or two pieces of corn, a few potatoes, and a few slices of sausage. This is a recipe that’s meant for feeding a crowd, and the beauty of it is how easy it is to scale up — just use a bigger pot and add more of everything.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs small new potatoes
- 4 lbs sweet onions – halved
- 4 packages of smoked kielbasa cut into 2 inch pieces
- 12 ears of corn – broken into halves or thirds
- 6-8 lemons – halved
- 5-6 lbs shrimp
- ¾ cup Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
- Fill large pot about ¾ full of water, place on an outdoor cooker and bring to a boil. **2 bottles of beer may be added if desired.
- Turn to a med-high heat. Add Old Bay Seasoning and mix into water.
- Gently place potatoes into pot – cook 10 minutes.
- Add corn, sausage and onions – cook for 5 minutes.
- Squeeze lemons and add to pot along with shrimp – cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drain liquid and dump boil onto a table covered in newspaper.
- Have a little melted butter and horseradish sauce on hand….grab your favorite drink and dig in!
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How many does this serve?
This recipe should serve 8-10 people. Enjoy! ~Donya
Excellent just like gulla geeche cooking.
Thank you for your kind review! I’m happy you’re here! ~Donya
can I add Lobster tails
You can add whatever you like to make it your own! Enjoy! ~Donya