This easy Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is the perfect busy weeknight dinner recipe! Made with just a handful of ingredients and exploding with delicious, fresh flavor, it’s sure to become an instant favorite with your family – it certainly was with mine!
Love slow cooker recipes? Try my Crockpot Turkey Breast, Crockpot Chili, and Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce!
Shrimp Boil
Aaaaand we’re back! Back in school, back to soccer practices 4 nights a week, homework, play dates, swim practices 3 nights a week starting next week… Anyone else doing the math??? I did and instantly started coming up with more slow cooker recipes for my family.
My little sister lives in North Carolina and summer shrimp boils are a common occurrence. I thought to myself, why enjoy that goodness ONLY in the summer time? Shrimp boils are super simple and take only a handful of ingredients – basically, my FAVORITE kind of recipe.
Shrimp Boil Ingredients
A shrimp boil recipe may seem intimidating if you haven’t made one before. But honestly, it’s about the easiest recipe in the world and I’ve made it even easier by using a slow cooker. There are just a few ingredients needed. How few ingredients you ask? I’m gonna tell you:
- potatoes – you can really use any kind here but new potatoes are great and I prefer red
- sausage – andouille or kielbasa are perfect
- corn – about 4 ears does the trick
- shrimp – a couple pounds of large shrimp
- chicken broth or stock
- Old Bay seasoning
OPTIONAL
- cayenne – if you like a little heat
- melted butter and fresh parsley to finish it off
- lemons
- cocktail sauce is great for dipping!
I’m guessing you have at least half of these ingredients on hand. Even better is the prep. Cut the larger new potatoes in half, quarter the corn, throw everything BUT the shrimp in the slow cooker and let ‘er rip.
Super Kid Friendly
This easy Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is sure to become an instant favorite! Here’s my new measure of success: do either of the boys instantly request this to be on their birthday menu? Guess what? They both said this was the BEST dinner they had had in weeks (???) and that they wanted it again ASAP and of course, on their birthdays 🙂
Both had seconds. I had a feeling they were going to like it. They both love shrimp and the flavors are super simple and not overwhelming. It’s easy to eat and fun too.
Winner, winner, shrimp dinner.
What To Serve With This Easy Shrimp Boil
The great thing about an old bay shrimp boil is that it’s kind of an all-in-one dinner.
- If you want to really go all in, a nice salad like this Strawberry Spinach Salad or Broccoli Salad would be a fresh addition to the meal.
- My boys have never turned down their favorite Dinner Rolls or some Cheesy Bacon Ranch Bread either.
- You could also go with a southern classic and whip up a batch of my 5 star biscuits.
Is It Spicy?
I get this question a lot when it comes to shrimp boils. The great thing is that you can make it as spicy or mild as you like. Adjust the cayenne to suit your personal preferences.
I used a half teaspoon of cayenne. We can handle a bit of heat. If you like things more spicy, add up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne.
More Dinner Favorites
- Mac and Cheese
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Turkey Meatballs
- Chicken Fried Steak
How To Make A Shrimp Boil
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small new potatoes red or yellow
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 pound andouille or kielbasa sausage cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 ears fresh corn husked and quartered
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less depending on taste
- 2 pounds large shrimp tails on
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Optional
- cocktail sauce for dipping
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cut larger potatoes in half, should be bite size.
- Place potatoes in 6 or 7 quart slow cooker.
- Add chicken broth.
- Top with sausage and sprinkle on Old Bay seasoning and cayenne.
- Add the corn quarters on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, 3 to 4 hours on high, or until the corn and potatoes are tender.
- Turn the slow cooker to high and gently add the shrimp and stir into mixture.
- Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp boil to a large bowl or serving container. Drizzle some of the cooking liquid over the top.
- Combine the melted butter and parsley and drizzle over the top and toss gently.
- Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published August 31, 2017.
Aimee says
We really enjoyed this! I added a bit more of this and that (butter, lemon, etc.) before serving. In my house, I think it was more along the lines of 4 servings (vs 8) because everyone liked it so much they went back for seconds! It’s been awhile since I’ve made it so I’m having it again this week.
Adrienne says
Allergic to crustaceans. Would clams work?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m not sure as I haven’t tried it. If you do, I’d love to hear how it went.
Alex Flores says
I tried this recipe last month and I loved it 🙂 but my husband mentioned it didn’t have enough flavor :/ is there a substitute for the chicken broth (aside from non low sodium broth) that you can recommend to make the flavor really pop?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can try adding in a can of beer in place of some of the chicken stock or use some of the better than bouillon chicken flavor – it’s amazing!
Lilly says
Wld crawfish wrk with this too? I love both shrimp and crawfish
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It sure would Lilly!
Mary Jane Gulck says
This is a wow recipe Trish. It is so good and deserves a lovely container to put it in because it is so pretty. I have a large pumpkin bowl that sits on a platter. It has a pumpkin lid. I am 73 and thanks to pinterest and folks like you I get excited about trying new dishes. A new family favorite. Thank you.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You just made me so happy! Thank you so much! It is a really fun dish to prepare for guests because it’s so colorful and vibrant. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Ivory says
This is an amazing looking dish, and what make its even better, my family and I love everything in this dish. Yum! I will be making this Monday
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Ivory! I hope you love it as much as we do!
Kerry says
My dh wanted me to make this. I was quite skeptical, thinking there’s no way the potatoes are corn will cook in here. And shrimp? In a crock pot? But, I stand corrected… it was DELICIOUS and so easy to make! Very flavorful. Used good old shrimp (tails off) and andouille sausage from the meat counter. Will absolutely be adding this recipe to the regular recipe. Next time I’ll serve with a good crusty french bread or something similar on the side.
Nancy Day says
when you say shrimp does it mean easy peal shrimp to
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can use easy peel shrimp or do use peeled, deveined shrimp with tails on or off. Whichever you prefer really 🙂
Cindy says
Can you use frozen shrimp and frozen corn??
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can but you will need to adjust the time accordingly.
Annamarie Kinch says
Will it be ruined if I add more veggies? I was thinking of baby carrots, frozen peas, & maybe some onion & bell peppers. I’m making It to bring to a pot luck Christmas party & I don’t have time to do a test dish. So maybe I shouldn’t mess with the recipe?
Cassie says
What would you have on the side? I was thinking about grilled asparagus,but is that a weird combination?
Nancy Lynn Schmidt says
Making it now. Thinking about adding cumin and cilantro.
Nancy Lynn Schmidt says
Making it now. Thinking about adding cumin and cilantro.