Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Easy Shrimp Boil recipe made hassle-free and mess-free using a single sheet pan!  Itโ€™s the BEST and easiest way to make shrimp boil at home!

This Shrimp Boil recipe is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner with just minutes of prep!  Everything bakes in a single sheet pan instead of boiling in a large pot for easy cleanup and superior flavor.  This Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is loaded with succulent shrimp, tender potatoes, sweet corn and smokey sausage all enveloped in Cajun seasonings then baked to golden, juicy perfection then drizzled with Lemon Parsley Butter โ€“ drool.  Serve it alongside some cornbread and fruit salad for the perfect summer meal!

SHRIMP BOIL RECIPE VIDEO

showing how to make shrimp boil recipe by drizzling cooked shrimp, potatoes,  corn and  sausage with lemon juice and  butter


 

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What is a Shrimp Boil?

A Southern Boil or Shrimp Boil is a social gathering thatโ€™s famous throughout Louisiana, Georgia and North Carolina in which family and friends get together to feast on shrimp, sausage, sweet corn, and potatoes. All of the ingredients are combined in giant outdoor stockpots and boiled until cooked through.  The contents are then drained and dumped out onto a newspaper lined table for a casual, tasty interactive buffet of sorts. 

SHRIMP BOIL recipe

Traditional Shrimp Boils are great for serving a large crowd because you can cook a large quantity of food at once, but for family weeknight dinners โ€“ a Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is the way to go.  The entire dinner cooks on one sheet pan with just minutes of prep without standing over a steaming pot.  This oven method is easier (no boiling water, no draining), quick to clean up (just throw away the foil) and perfect for busy nights!   

Hereโ€™s why youโ€™ll love this Shrimp Boil recipe:

  • Easy.  To make this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil as easy as possible, youโ€™ll mix the potatoes, corn and sausage in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings, then use the same bowl to later mix the shrimp.  That’s only one bowl to clean and one piece of foil to toss! 
  • Accessible.  Not everyone owns a giant stock pot required for Shrimp Boils but most people have large rimmed baking sheets โ€“ or you can use two medium sheets.
  • Prep ahead.   You can prep the sheet pan ahead of time with all of the ingredients except the shrimp then just pop it in the oven at dinner time.  Add the shrimp after 15 minutes of baking and dinner is served.
  • No babysitting.  Traditional Shrimp Boil recipes require monitoring a boiling stockpot.  This can get hot and steamy in the summer months. Roasting the Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil in the oven requires zero babysitting and doesnโ€™t raise your core temperature 10 degrees.  
  • Flavor!  Above all, roasting Shrimp Boils in the oven provides superior flavor and texture as the ingredients are enveloped in EVOO and seasonings so the ingredients soak in flavor on the inside while they caramelize on the outside resulting in the perfect balance of salty, smoky and sweet with a subtle kick of heat. When you boil the ingredients, everything comes out with a similar boiled texture.
  • Fun to serve.  You can still dump the Shrimp Boil out onto a table of newspaper if you want and dig in!

To make this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil recipe, I start by steaming the potatoes in the microwave for 7 minutes.  Meanwhile, I prep the corn and sausage.  Par-boiling the potatoes allows you to literally bake all of the ingredients on one sheet pan instead of pre-boiling the potatoes and corn in a large stock pot before adding to the sheet pan like many recipes call for โ€“ which kind of defeats the one pan purpose in my opinion. 

Now, we get to roast the potatoes, corn and sausage together for 15 minutes, add the shrimp and roast for an additional 10 minutes and out comes perfectly roasted potatoes, tender corn, caramelized sausage, and juicy shrimp. Easy to make, easy to clean, and scrumdiddlyumptious!

showing how to season shrimp boil recipe by adding sprinkling  Old Bay seasoning over the sheet pan

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN A SHRIMP BOIL?

A traditional Shrimp Boil usually consists of shrimp and other seafood such as crab, crawfish, oyster, corn, potatoes, (sometimes other veggies) onions, garlic, seasonings and often sausage.  For this Shrimp Boil Recipe, we are going to streamline the contents and use:

Shrimp

  • Purchase wild caught shrimp.   Look for wild caught shrimp versed farm-raised for the best flavor and texture.
  • Purchase raw, deveined shrimp.  Look for shrimp that is raw (not precooked), peeled and deveined.  Buying prepared shrimp saves you TONS of time and makes your job a snap because all you have to do is defrost the shrimp. 
  • Purchase large shrimp.  Use large shrimp, 21-25 count (which means there are 21-25 shrimp in a pound), so your shrimp are large enough so they donโ€™t easily overcook, provide the most appealing juicy texture and don’t overcrowd your pan.
  • Frozen shrimp is awesome!  Frozen shrimp is frozen shortly after itโ€™s caught which means itโ€™s frozen at peak freshness.  So, unless you live coastal (and even then), it is even more fresh than the seafood counter by the time itโ€™s purchased and you actually use it.  Frozen shrimp is also more economical than fresh which means you can keep it stocked and read to use any time. 
  • How Much Shrimp Should I Buy Per Person? As a general rule of thumb, you will want a quarter pound of shrimp per person.  This will provide a generous serving with the corn, potatoes and sausage.  Of courses, youโ€™ll want to take into consideration who you are serving and adjust accordingly. So, that means this Shrimp Boil recipe serves 4 adults and probably closer to 6 people if there are children.

Sausage

  • Use precooked sausage.  You will need one 11-12-oz. package of smoked andouille chicken sausage โ€“ this sausage comes fully cooked. Look for โ€œfully cooked,โ€ โ€œcooked,โ€ or โ€œsmokedโ€ on the label.  This is the standard size package sold at most stores.  If you find a package with more or less โ€“ just use more or less- this recipe is very forgiving.   Look for the cooked sausage in the refrigerated section next to the ground Italian sausage links or breakfast sausage. 
  • Use andouille chicken sausage. Andouille chicken sausage comes seasoned with paprika, pepper, garlic, red pepper, etc. so itโ€™s delicious all on its own so you won’t even miss that it’s lightened up.
  • Stock up!  Now, just stock up on some packages of sausage and stash them in the freezer so youโ€™ll be ready to make this Shrimp Boil recipe and rescue dinner any night of the week!

CORN

  • Use fresh sweet corn.  To find the freshest corn, you want to focus on the smell and feel of the corn rather than the look of the kernels.  The corn should smell sweet and the be firm when pressed and free of blackened tassels.
  • Use corn immediately.  Corn on the cob will usually keep well for about 1 to 3 days in the refrigerator but it is sweetest the sooner it is used. 
  • Time saver.  You can purchase already shucked corn or partially shucked corn to make dinnertime prep a breeze.

Potatoes

  • Use waxy potatoes.  You will want to use waxy potatoes such as Dutch, Yukon Gold or red potatoes.  Waxy potatoes remain moist and hold their shape without falling apart or becoming mealy. 
  • Use baby potatoes.  I recommend Dutch baby potatoes because they roast up buttery tender, you donโ€™t have to peel them and you only have to chop them into half or thirds instead of meticulously chopping whole potatoes.   If you canโ€™t find Dutch baby potatoes, you may also use baby red potatoes.

Seasonings

  • Donโ€™t skimp!  You will need Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, ground mustard, ground coriander, dried dill, salt and pepper to make the Shrimp Boil recipe come alive. 
  • Add additional salt.  I find corn and potatoes need more salt than the shrimp and sausage so you may need to add freshly cracked salt just to the corn and potatoes after roasting โ€“ but make sure to taste first! 
up close of shrimp boil recipe showing shrimp drenched in lemon juice and garnished with parsley

CAN I ADD OTHER VEGETABLES?

This Shrimp Boil recipe is extremely flexible.  You are welcome to swap some of the ingredients for others veggies if you wish but take care to swap in equal amounts so the proportions of olive oil and seasonings stays the same and so everything fits nicely on one sheet pan.  The following veggies require approximately 25-30 minutes to cook so they can be added at the beginning of the recipe with the sausage, corn and potatoes:

  • Brussels sprouts: stems trimmed, sliced in half through stem
  • Butternut squash: peeled, chopped into 1โ€ cubes
  • Green beans: ends trimmed
  • Broccoli: chopped into medium size florets
  • Cauliflower: chopped into medium bite size florets
  • Carrots: sliced thinly
  • Mini sweet bell peppers:  chopped into thick squares

You can also add quick cooking vegetables partly through roasting with the shrimp.  The following require 10-12 minutes:

  • Asparagus: chopped into 2โ€ pieces
  • Cherry tomatoes: left whole
  • Zucchini: sliced 1/4-inch thick

IS THIS SHRIMP BOIL RECIPE GLUTEN FREE?

Yes!  This Shrimp Boil recipe is gluten free โ€“ no substitutions needed!

HOW TO PREP SHRIMP

If you are new to cooking shrimp, here is some helpful information to prepare and cook shrimp perfectly every time, whether for this Shrimp Boil recipe or any of my other fabulous shrimp recipes:

CAN I MAKE THIS SHRIMP RECIPE WITH FROZEN SHRIMP?

Yes!  I use frozen shrimp all the time just like I did in this Shrimp Boil recipe.  Just make sure you thaw the shrimp completely and pat it dry before using.

HOW DO I DEFROST SHRIMP?

You will want to use raw shrimp for this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil.  I typically use frozen shrimp and just defrost it before using.  There are two options for defrosting your shrimp:

  • Easy Defrost: The easiest way to defrost your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove one-pound frozen shrimp (if itโ€™s more than a one-pound package) to a covered bowl and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Quick Defrost: Place the frozen shrimp in a colander then place the colander in a large bowl.  Fill the bowl with cold tap water and let it sit for 10 minutes.   After 10 minutes, replace the water with new cold tap water and submerge the shrimp again.  Let shrimp sit an additional 10- 20 minutes.  If the shrimp isnโ€™t completely defrosted, then repeat. 

WHATโ€™S THE EASIEST WAY TO PEEL AND DEVEIN SHRIMP?

I like to purchase shrimp that is already peeled and deveined so all the work is done for me!   If you purchase shrimp that is not deveined, it will still have the dark, sandy intestinal tract running along the back of the shrimp just beneath the surface.  Sometimes it will be very dark and sometimes it will be harder to spot depending on when the shrimp ate last.

While eating the shrimp with the veins wonโ€™t harm you, it can add grittiness and distract from the clean shrimp taste so I highly recommended removing it.  To devein shrimp:

  1. First, locate the vein in the shrimp running along its back.
  2. Make a shallow cut and use the tip of the knife to lift it out.
  3. The veins and shells can then be thrown away.
  4. Rinse the shrimp and lay on a paper towel to dry.

Should I cook SHRIMP WITH THE TAIL ON OR OFF?

Cook your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor, much like cooking meat on the bone. Also, Shrimp Boils are meant to be eaten more like buffet finger food so the tail allows you to easily pick the shrimp up.  Once your shrimp is cooked and resting, you can remove the tails if you desire. 

How to Make Shrimp Boil in the Oven

  • Parboil potatoes.  Microwaving cut potatoes for 7 minutes ensures they cook quickly and fully in the oven and emerge buttery tender at the same time the rest of the ingredients are done roasting.
  • Whisk seasonings together.  We will use one bowl to coat both the corn, sausage and potatoes and then use the same bowl to later coat the shrimp for easy cleanup.  First, start by whisking together 3 tablespoons EVOO, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, ground mustard, coriander, dill, pepper and salt. 
showing how to make sheet pan shrimp boil by combining olive oil, Old Bay Seasoning and ground mustard together in a glass bowl
  • Coat potatoes, corn and sausage.  Add the potatoes corn and sausage and stir until evenly coated.   You can stir, stir, stir or get your hands dirty to make sure each ingredient is evenly coated.
showing how to make shrimp boil by combining corn, potatoes, and sausage in a glass bowl with olive oil, Old Bay Seasoning and ground mustard and tossing to coat.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.  Spread all the ingredients out in an even layer on a foil-lined, lightly greased baking sheet. This makes cleanup a snap because all you have to do is throw away the foil after baking!
showing how to make easy shrimp boil recipe by lining corn, potatoes and sausage on a large baking sheet
  • Coat shrimp.  While the sheet pan is in the oven, add the shrimp to the seasoning bowl (donโ€™t wipe out).  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning and ยผ teaspoon salt.  Stir until evenly coated. 
showing how to make sheet pan shrimp boil by tossing shrimp with olive oil and Old Bay seasoning
  • Add shrimp.  After 15 minutes, remove baking sheet from oven and give everything a good stir.  Add shrimp and spread everything into a single layer and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp is opaque and cooked through.
showing how to make sheet pan shrimp boil recipe by adding shrimp to baking sheet with corn, potatoes and sausage and spreading into an even layer
  • Drizzle with butter. As soon as the shrimp is done, drizzle the entire pan with Parsley Lemon Butter and toss to coat. The Lemon Parsley Butter is delicious but optional. You can also serve the Shrimp Boil with simple sides of fresh lemon slices and fresh chopped parsley.
showing how to make shrimp boil recipe by baking shrimp, corn, sausage and potatoes on a sheet pan until cooked through

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SHRIMP IS COOKED?

Shrimp is very simple to cook โ€“ and literally takes minutes! The key to success is to not overcook your shrimp. There are two indicators of cooked shrimp -the color and shape. Hereโ€™s what to look for:

  • Color:  Raw shrimp starts off translucent gray and as it cooks, it turns pink and opaque with some pink and bright red accents.  You will want to remove the shrimp from the skillet as soon as it is fully opaque without any gray left.  Look at the crevice in the back of the shrimp where the vein was removed.  When the base of this crevice becomes opaque, the shrimp is done.
  • Shape:  You can also check the shape of your shrimp. This test isnโ€™t always accurate with smaller shrimp but works well with large shrimp.  As shrimp cook, their muscle contract which cause them to curl.  As soon as the shrimp begin to curl, they are usually done cooking. Perfectly cooked large shrimp will have โ€œCโ€ shape while over cooked shrimp have an โ€œOโ€ shape. 

TIPS FOR SHRIMP BOIL RECIPE

  • Use a large pan.  It is important to use a rimmed jelly roll pan which measures 15 x 21 inches like this.  The size of the sheet pan matters because we want our ingredients to fit on the pan in a single layer without being overcrowded.  When ingredients overlap, they steam instead of roast which affects both the flavor and texture.  If you donโ€™t have a jelly roll pan, you can use 2 smaller pans.
  • Use foil for easy cleanup.  Line your sheet pan with foil to make cleanup a breeze.  If you donโ€™t have foil, you can also use parchment paper or a nonstick mat. 
  • Use fresh corn.  Use the freshest corn possible because it is the sweetest.
  • Use cut corn.  For a shortcut, use mini ears of corn so you donโ€™t have to cut them and/or pre-shucked corn.  
  • Purchase prepared shrimp.  Use shrimp that is already shelled and deveined which saves you TONS of prep time.
  • Use large shrimp.  Using large shrimp ensures juicy shrimp and also is important so the shrimp doesnโ€™t overcrowd the pan.  If you use smaller shrimp, there are more shrimp per pound which means overlapping ingredients โ€“ no Bueno.   
  • Thaw shrimp. It might sound obvious, but it isnโ€™t to some 😉.  Make sure you thaw the shrimp before roasting so it cooks evenly and so melting water doesnโ€™t inhibit the caramelization process. Also, gently thaw the shrimp using my above detailed methods โ€“ never the microwave!  
  • Use andouille sausage.  It comes seasoned with Cajun seasoning for superior flavor and a hint of heat.
  • Donโ€™t over-cook shrimp.  Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp.  As soon as the shrimp turn pinkish white and start to curl, theyโ€™re done-donโ€™t be tempted to cook them a second longer!
  • Cook shrimp with tails on.  I recommend cooking your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor. Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire.
  • Scale recipe.  If youโ€™re cooking just for two or for small eaters, this Shrimp Boil recipe is easy to cut in half. The baking instructions remain the same.

SHRIMP Boil VARIATIONS:

This Shrimp Boil recipe is delicious as written or it is easy to customize.  Here are a few ideas:

  • Spice it up.  If you know you love heat, increase the Old Bay seasoning to 1 ยฝ tablespoons when adding to the potatoes, corn and sausage and 1 ยฝ teaspoons when adding to the shrimp.  Alternatively, you can sprinkle on additional Old Bay seasoning to your own serving after roasting.  
  • Add veggies.  Swap some of the potatoes, corn and/or sausage for some of your favorite veggies such as tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, etc.  See above section for roasting times.
  • Use chicken.  You can swap the shrimp or sausage for chopped chicken.  Chop chicken into 1 1/2โ€ chunks; cook for approximately 12 minutes or until cooked through.
showing how to make sheet pan shrimp boil recipe by drizzling corn, potatoes, sausage and shrimp with lemon juice

How to serve a sheet pan shrimp boil

Once the Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil emerges from the oven, how do you serve it?  You can go conservative and divvy up servings onto plates but the traditional way is to cover your table with clean newspaper or butcher paper then pour the contents right onto the paper. Seeing as the contents of the Shrimp Boil are already laid out on a tray, however, it makes sense to eat directly from the baking tray once itโ€™s cooled off some.  And of course โ€“ weโ€™re talking about eating with your hands!  Just keep a stack of napkins and wet naps handy โ€“ the kids will love it!

What Side dishes to serve with a shrimp boil?

The beauty of this Shrimp Boil recipe is that it is a meal-in-one complete with protein, veggies and starch but we also love it with a fresh green salad or crusty bread.  Here are some of our favorite sides to serve with it:

MAKE AHEAD SHRIMP BOIL

You can prep this Shrimp Boil almost 100% ahead of time.  Toss the par-boiled potatoes, corn and sausage ingredients in the olive oil and spices and line in a single layer on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.  You can also stir the shrimp in the oil and seasonings and refrigerate separately. 

When it comes time to bake, remove from the refrigerator while the oven is preheating.  Then bake as directed, adding 5 extra minutes before adding the shrimp.

SHRIMP BOIL MEAL PREP

Shrimp Boil makes excellent meal prep to make ahead and serve later.  Let the sheet pan cool to room temperature then divide between 4-6 container.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS

If youโ€™re fortunate enough to have leftovers of our Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil, you can wrap them up in the foil they have cooked on or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to three days.  You can reheat on a sheet pan in the oven, or in the microwave. 

CREATIVE WAYS TO USE LEFTOVERS

This Shrimp Boil is fabulous reheated and eaten in its sublime simplicity or you can cut the corn off the cob and add the potatoes, sausage and shrimp to the following:

  • Soups.  Add to your favorite soups.
  • Pasta salad.  Toss with cold pasta or tortellini along with additional olive oil.
  • Creamy Pastas.  Stir into your favorite creamy pastas such Mac and Cheese, Fettuccine Alfredo, Cacio e Pepe,  Fettuccine Alfredo or Creamy Mushroom Orzo.
  • Risotto: stir into any of your favorite risotto recipes:  Mushroom RisottoParmesan RisottoSpinach Risotto โ€“ yum!
  • Pizza.  Top your favorite pizza crust with marinara followed by cheese, sausage, peppers, shrimp and potatoes.  You can also make shortcut pizza using French bread or mini pizzas using bagels.
  • Greens.  Keep it extra healthy by serving over sautรฉed or fresh spinach or any of your favorite greens.   Top with a fried or soft-boiled egg.
  • Scrambled eggs. Chop up sausage, shrimp, and potatoes then add to scrambled eggs along with mozzarella cheese when the eggs are almost set.

LOOKING FOR MORE EASY SHRIMP RECIPES?

showing how to serve shrimp boil recipe by adding corn, shrimp, potatoes and sausage to  a plate and drizzling with lemon juice

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ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

This Shrimp Boil recipe is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner with just minutes of prep! Everything bakes in a single sheet pan instead of boiling in a large pot for easy cleanup and superior flavor. This Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is loaded with succulent shrimp, tender potatoes, sweet corn and smokey sausage all enveloped in Cajun seasonings then baked to golden, juicy perfection then drizzled with Lemon Parsley Butter โ€“ drool. Serve it alongside some cornbread and fruit salad for the perfect summer meal!
Servings: 4 -6
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp EACH ground mustard, ground coriander, dried dill
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt divided
  • 3 ears sweet corn each cut into 4 pieces (12 pieces total)
  • 1 pound baby Dutch yellow potatoes chopped in half or thirds depending on size
  • 1 11-12 oz. pkg. smoked Andouille chicken sausage sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 1 pound large shrimp (21-25 ct) peeled and deveined

Parsley Lemon Butter (optional)

  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

For serving

  • chopped parsley
  • lemon slices
  • hot sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet (15×21) with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  • Transfer cut potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Fill with water until it reaches about 1/8-inch up the sides. Cover and microwave on high for 7 minutes. Carefully remove lid and drain potatoes.
  • Meanwhile, in a very large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons EVVO, 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, ground mustard, coriander, dill, pepper and ยฝ teaspoon salt. Add drained potatoes, corn and sausage. Stir until evenly coated.
  • Add to prepared baking sheet and spread out into an even layer. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add shrimp to the same bowl (donโ€™t wipe out). Drizzle with 1 tablespoon EVVO, 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning and ยผ teaspoon salt. Stir until evenly coated.
  • After 15 minutes, remove baking sheet from oven and give everything a good stir. Add shrimp and spread everything into a single layer.
  • Place pan back into oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp is opaque and cooked through.
  • Meanwhile, whisk Parsley butter ingredient together; set aside.
  • As soon as the shrimp is done, drizzle the entire pan with Parsley Lemon Butter. Serve with additional freshly cracked salt, pepper, lemon wedges, parsley, Old Bay seasoning and hot sauce on the side.

Video

Notes

Don’t miss the “how to make” recipe video at the top of the post!

TIPS AND TRICKSย 

  • Use a large pan.ย  It is important to use a rimmed jelly roll pan which measures 15 x 21 inches like this.ย  The size of the sheet pan matters because we want our ingredients to fit on the pan in a single layer without being overcrowded.ย  When ingredients overlap, they steam instead of roast which affects both the flavor and texture.ย  If you donโ€™t have a jelly roll pan, you can use 2 smaller pans.
  • Use foil for easy cleanup.ย ย Line your sheet pan with foil to make cleanup a breeze.ย  If you donโ€™t have foil, you can also use parchment paper or a nonstick mat.ย 
  • Use fresh corn.ย  Use the freshest corn possible because it is the sweetest.
  • Corn shortcut.ย  To save time, purchase pre-shucked corn. ย 
  • Purchase prepared shrimp.ย  Use shrimp that is already shelled and deveined which saves you TONS of prep time.
  • Use large shrimp.ย  Using large shrimp ensures juicy shrimp and also is important so the shrimp doesnโ€™t overcrowd the pan.ย  If you use smaller shrimp, there are more shrimp per pound which means overlapping ingredients โ€“ no Bueno. ย ย 
  • Use andouille sausage.ย  ย This sausage comes fully cooked.ย  Look for โ€œfully cooked,โ€ โ€œcooked,โ€ or โ€œsmokedโ€ on the label.ย  ย It comes seasoned with Cajun seasoning for superior flavor and a hint of heat.
  • Donโ€™t over-cook shrimp.ย ย Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp.ย  As soon as the shrimp turn pinkish white and start to curl, theyโ€™re done-donโ€™t be tempted to cook them a second longer!
  • Scale recipe.ย  If youโ€™re cooking just for two or for small eaters, this Shrimp Boil recipe is easy to cut in half. The baking instructions remain the same.
  • Add additional salt.ย  I find corn and potatoes need more salt than the shrimp and sausage so you may need to add freshly cracked salt just to the corn and potatoes after roasting โ€“ but make sure to taste first!ย 
  • Leftovers.ย  See the post for creative ways to use up leftovers!ย 

MAKE AHEAD SHRIMP BOIL

  • Toss the par-boiled potatoes, corn and sausage ingredients in the olive oil and spices and line in a single layer on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.ย 
  • You can also stir the shrimp in the oil and seasonings and refrigerate separately.ย 
  • When it comes time to bake, remove from the refrigerator while the oven is preheating. ย 
  • Bake as directed, adding 5 extra minutes before adding the shrimp.

SHRIMP BOIL MEAL PREP

Shrimp Boil makes excellent meal prep to make ahead and serve later. ย Let the sheet pan cool to room temperature then divide between 4-6 container. ย Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS

You can wrap leftovers up in the foil they have cooked on or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to three days. ย Reheat on a sheet pan in the oven, or in the microwave.ย 

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22 Comments

  1. Ann Hupe says

    I did a quick search of this article for any mention of “heads” as in “shrimp heads”. Half the fun of a shrimp boil is sucking the heads. Can you use shrimp with heads and get good results? The reason why I have never considered doing a baked shrimp boil is because of the status of the heads.

    • Jen says

      Hi Ann, yes you can absolutely bake shrimp with heads, enjoy!

  2. Naomi says

    I never thought about baking for a shrimp boil. I am from South Carolina and we love our shrimp boils. In the lowcountry of SC (the coastal region), they call them “lowcountry boils”. In our neighborhood here in Columbia, SC, we have an annual oyster roast and shrimp boil. Unfortunately this year due to COVID 19 it was cancelled. Hopefully next year! I like your idea of sheet pan baking and will definitely give this one a try. Thanks again, Jen, for all of your great recipes!

    • Jen says

      Thank you for your comment Naomi! Your tradition of shrimp boils and lowcountry boils sounds like so much fun! Like you said, hopefully next year! In the meantime, I hope your family enjoys this version. xo

  3. john says

    Do you think this could be done on a gas grille

    • Jen says

      Yes, I think it would still work great.

  4. kathryn says

    This was fabulous! Made it exactly like the recipe. You will love it!

    • Jen says

      That’s awesome you already made it Kathryn! I’m thrilled you loved it, thanks for taking the time to comment!

  5. Kay says

    I made this 4 days ago and itโ€™s on the menu again tonight! It is so easy to make. Thank you.

    • Jen says

      That is awesome! I’m thrilled it’s a new repeat favorite, thanks Kay!

  6. Tonya says

    Two Yanks now living in Virginia made this today. It was terrific. Thanks so much for posting this recipe.

    • Jen says

      That’s awesome Tonya, I’m so happy it was a winner, thank you!

  7. Rachel says

    I made this last night and OH MY!!!! Delicious!!!! I doubled the seasoning and used 2 pounds of shrimp. Iโ€™m glad I did, my husband ate 3 plates (thatโ€™s very uncommon) and had 3 teenage boys there were exactly 4 shrimp and 5 bites of sausage left and a bit of potatoes and corn. Just enough for a lunch. I was really hoping it would be MY lunch, then my hubby said I canโ€™t wait for lunch tomorrow! It must be true love because heโ€™s got this at work and Iโ€™m eating leftover chili. Thank you Jen!

    • Jen says

      You made my day, thanks Rachel! I’m thrilled your entire family gobbled this right up!

  8. Marti says

    I have been making Frogmore Stew dumped on the table covered in paper for decades but this sheet pan idea is wonderful. Itโ€™s my lucky day to have stumbled In here because Iโ€™ve found so many recipes to try. The BLT salad is next! I have already shared with family & friends.
    Thanks so much for an awesome site.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Marti, welcome! I hope you love the shrimp boil and BLT pasta salad and hopefully find many new favorites!

  9. Mel says

    I love making your recipes and this one was fantastic! I made it exactly as you said and it was so perfect. Thank you for a wonderful dinner ๐Ÿ™‚ I will be making this one again!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for making my recipes Mel, I’m thrilled this one will be on repeat!

  10. Gina Espey says

    Just made the shrimp boil/bake, my family said restaurant worthy! So good!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Gina! I am thrilled this was deemed “restaurant worthy”!

  11. Kirsten says

    I made this last night and doubled the recipe. It was SUPER flavorful and the family loved it! We live in Old Bay country, just a skip and a jump from the Chesapeake Bay, so we have giant tins of Old Bay in the pantry. My new work schedule ends at 7 pm so I have been looking for fast meals with easy clean up. This was perfect. I just cut up some smallish red potatoes in 1/8ths and did not par boil them but extended the first baking time by 10 mins instead. Everything was perfectly roasted. We had the leftovers tonight and enjoyed every bite again! Thanks for the recipe!

    • Jen says

      Yay! Thank you so much, Kirsten! I am so happy this worked for you and that leftovers were enjoyed!