Cajun Shrimp Boil Corn (Printable)

A vibrant Southern dish blending shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage in a flavorful Cajun broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1.5 lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 lb baby potatoes, halved if large
03 - 4 ears corn, cut into thirds
04 - 1 large onion, quartered
05 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed

→ Protein

06 - 12 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced into 1-inch pieces

→ Broth & Seasoning

07 - 10 cups water
08 - 1/3 cup Cajun seasoning
09 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
10 - 2 lemons, halved
11 - 3 bay leaves
12 - 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

→ Finishing

13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Fill a large stockpot with water. Add Cajun seasoning, salt, onion, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and juice from the lemons. Drop the squeezed lemon halves into the pot. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add halved baby potatoes to the boiling liquid. Cook for 10 minutes until just tender when pierced with a fork.
03 - Add sliced andouille sausage and corn pieces to the pot. Continue boiling for 8 minutes until sausage is heated through and corn begins to tenderize.
04 - Add the prepared shrimp to the pot. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes just until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook.
05 - Drain the entire boil immediately in a large colander. Remove and discard the bay leaves and lemon halves.
06 - Spread the shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage onto a large serving platter or newspaper-covered table for traditional presentation.
07 - Drizzle everything evenly with melted butter. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh parsley.
08 - Serve hot while the seafood and vegetables are at their best. Offer extra lemon wedges on the side for guests to squeeze over their portions.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor infusion
  • The interactive nature of dumping and serving creates instant conversation and connection
  • Perfectly scalable for intimate dinners or hungry crowds without losing its soul
02 -
  • Shrimp cook shockingly fast, and those extra minutes turn them from tender to tough
  • The newspaper tradition exists for a reason, making cleanup practically nonexistent
  • Taste your broth before adding shrimp, adjusting the salt and spice level while you still can
03 -
  • Buy the best Cajun seasoning you can find, or mix your own with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and thyme
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in a skillet with a splash of water, though the texture changes slightly

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