Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is a classic dish packed with shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and red potatoes, all cooked to perfection in your crockpot. This easy-to-make recipe requires minimal effort, and it’s perfect for summer get-togethers. The slow cooker takes care of all the cooking, leaving you with a flavorful, no-fuss meal that everyone will love.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• ¼ cup Old Bay seasoning

• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

• 1 ½ pounds small red potatoes

• 1 medium sweet onion, cut into wedges

• 1 head garlic, halved

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 12.8-ounce package smoked andouille sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 3 ears corn, cut crosswise into 3 pieces

• 2 pounds medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

For Serving (Optional):

• Melted butter

• Hot sauce

• Cocktail sauce

• Lemon wedges

• Beer

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, hot sauce, and 6 cups of water. Set aside.

2. Place the potatoes, onion, garlic, and bay leaves into a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the Old Bay seasoning mixture.

3. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are almost tender.

4. Stir in the sausage and corn. Cover and cook on high heat for 30 minutes. Keep the corn warm.

5. Stir in the shrimp, cover, and cook on high for 20-30 minutes, stirring twice, until the shrimp is opaque and pink.

6. Drain the mixture well and serve immediately, garnished with parsley.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 450-500 kcal per serving

• Fat: 15-20g

  • Saturated Fat: 5-7g

• Cholesterol: 200-250mg

• Sodium: 1,000-1,200mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 35-40g

  • Sugars: 5-7g

• Protein: 35-40g

• Vitamin A: 10-12% of the daily value

• Vitamin C: 20-25% of the daily value

• Calcium: 6-8% of the daily value

• Iron: 15-20% of the daily value

Why Use a Slow Cooker for a Shrimp Boil?

One of the biggest advantages of making a shrimp boil in a slow cooker is the convenience. Traditional shrimp boils require a large pot and the need to keep an eye on the cooking times of different ingredients, ensuring everything is done just right. With the slow cooker, however, you can simply add all the ingredients, set the timer, and let it cook. The slow cooker allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully while cooking each ingredient evenly. The potatoes become tender, the sausage releases its smoky flavor, the shrimp absorbs the seasoning, and the corn takes on a lovely sweetness from the broth. It’s a hands-off way to make a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

The Flavorful Seasoning Blend

Old Bay seasoning is the star of the flavor profile in this dish. It’s a classic choice for seafood boils, offering a delightful blend of spices like paprika, celery seed, mustard, and bay leaves. Combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a dash of hot sauce (optional for those who like a bit of heat), the seasoning creates a zesty, aromatic base for the dish. The lemon juice adds a fresh citrus note, while the hot sauce, if used, imparts just the right amount of spice to balance out the richness of the sausage and shrimp.

The combination of these ingredients makes for a savory and fragrant broth that seeps into the vegetables, sausage, and shrimp, enhancing each component with its bold flavors. The result is a dish that’s vibrant and full of flavor, with every bite packed with seasoned goodness.

The Vegetables: Potatoes, Corn, and Onion

The vegetables in this shrimp boil—red potatoes, corn, and onion—add both texture and flavor to the dish. Small red potatoes are ideal for this recipe because they hold their shape well during the slow cooking process and offer a creamy texture when tender. The sweetness of the corn complements the savory, spicy flavors of the other ingredients, and the onion adds an extra layer of depth and sweetness to the broth.

The slow cooking method ensures that the potatoes absorb the flavors of the Old Bay seasoning, while the corn becomes tender and juicy, creating a perfectly balanced dish. The onion and garlic, added early in the cooking process, create a rich, aromatic base that ties all the ingredients together.

The Sausage: Smoky and Flavorful

Andouille sausage adds a fantastic smoky flavor to this shrimp boil, making it a perfect complement to the shrimp and vegetables. Its savory and slightly spicy profile enhances the overall flavor of the dish, creating a rich and hearty component that contrasts beautifully with the delicate shrimp. As the sausage cooks in the slow cooker, it releases its oils and spices into the broth, infusing the potatoes, corn, and shrimp with its smoky goodness.

Using pre-cooked smoked sausage helps speed up the cooking process while still providing that authentic, rich flavor that you expect from a shrimp boil.

The Shrimp: Tender and Flavorful

Shrimp is the star protein in this dish, and when cooked properly, it adds a light, tender texture that balances out the heartiness of the potatoes and sausage. The key to perfectly cooked shrimp is to add them at the end of the cooking process, ensuring they don’t overcook and become tough. By stirring the shrimp into the slow cooker towards the end and cooking for just 20-30 minutes, you’ll achieve shrimp that’s tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned.

The shrimp absorbs the Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and any remaining flavors in the broth, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying. Whether you use medium or large shrimp, the slow cooking method ensures that they cook evenly, maintaining their sweet and delicate flavor.

Serving Your Shrimp Boil

Once the shrimp boil is ready, it’s time to serve! This dish is perfect for family-style meals, where everyone can dig in and enjoy the delicious combination of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, and flavorful broth. If you’re serving the dish for a casual get-together, you can simply drain the broth and arrange the ingredients on a large platter or table for everyone to share.

For an extra touch of indulgence, you can serve the shrimp boil with melted butter for dipping, which complements the rich flavors of the dish. Hot sauce and cocktail sauce are great options for those who like a bit of extra heat or tang. Lemon wedges are perfect for squeezing over the shrimp and vegetables, adding a burst of citrus freshness to the dish. You can even pair this dish with a cold beer for an authentic shrimp boil experience.

Nutritional Value

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is a hearty and satisfying dish that packs plenty of protein and flavor. With shrimp as the primary protein, each serving offers around 35-40 grams of protein, making it a filling and nutritious meal. The dish also provides a good amount of healthy fats, especially from the sausage, which adds both flavor and richness. The potatoes and corn contribute a moderate amount of carbohydrates, providing a comforting, balanced meal. Additionally, the vegetables in the dish provide vitamins A and C, and the shrimp offers a good source of iron.

However, keep in mind that this dish is higher in sodium, especially due to the Old Bay seasoning and sausage. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of seasoning or opt for a low-sodium sausage. The dish is also relatively high in cholesterol due to the shrimp and sausage, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is the ultimate easy-to-make, flavorful dish that brings the classic flavors of a shrimp boil to your kitchen with minimal effort. The slow cooker makes the process effortless, ensuring that each ingredient is perfectly cooked and infused with savory seasoning. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, a casual dinner, or just want a comforting and hearty meal, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. With tender shrimp, smoky sausage, sweet corn, and hearty potatoes, it’s a satisfying and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and enjoy a flavorful meal that everyone will love!