This lazy low country boil recipe is a delicious all-in-one-pot meal that is perfect for a simple summer supper.
If burgers and hotdogs aren’t your thing, may I suggest this lazy low country boil? This is a great alternative to a cookout or barbecue! Or just anytime you want a yummy, fresh seafood dinner without having to work so hard.
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.
What is low country boil?
According to National Fisherman low country boil, also called Frogmore Stew, Beaufort boil or Beaufort Stew, is a classic southern recipe and seafood dish containing ingredients found in the low-lying areas of South Carolina’s coast. Locals from different regions debate the dish’s true name.
A traditional South Carolina seafood boil comprises of red potatoes, sweet corn, andouille sausage, and a mix of seasoning such as Old Bay seasoning, along with white or brown shrimp, depending on the season. While the recipe may vary, most agree that enjoying this dish with family and friends is the best way to savor it.
Tips for ease and simplicity
I call it “lazy” because I have recently started making it with already peeled and de-veined shrimp. That genius idea and this entire recipe, actually, is from my sweet mom.
Making it this way has several benefits. (1) It lessens the smell a TON. I don’t know why, but cooking shrimp in the shell is WAY stinkier. And having to remember to take the trash out after the shrimp had been eaten is kind of a big deal. If you have even forgotten to do this, and the shells sit in your house overnight, I bet you remember what it smelled like in your house the next day. 😜🙅🏼
(2) Your family and friends will not have to dirty their hands to peel the shrimp. I am sure they will thank you for that! 😉 It is a lot less messy and more fun to eat when you don’t have to work quite so hard. 😎👍🏻
(3) If you BUY the shrimp already peeled and deveined, it will save you a lot of time. Yes, they are more expensive. But WORTH. IT. In my humble opinion.
How to make low country boil
First, gather your ingedients.
Ingredients
For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to.
To make this low country boil recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- bag crab boil seasoning – I used Zatarain’s, I think Old Bay seasoning makes one too
- onion
- celery
- salt
- hot sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
- garlic
- apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Polish sausage, andouille sausage, or sausage of your choice
- small red potatoes (cook the bigger ones longer before adding the other ingredients)
- corn – on the cob
- fresh shrimp – peeled and deveined
I do like to check as many of the following boxes when buying shrimp. I am not a stickler, and usually I compromise on at least one of the following:
- Wild caught gulf shrimp
- Fresh over frozen
- Peeled and deveined
If you live closer to the coast, this will be easier to find. For this batch, I compromised and got frozen, wild caught, peeled and deveined ones (thaw them first!). And it was delicious!
And if you do want to make it the traditional way with shell-on shrimp, knock yourself out! You can still totally use this recipe. The shrimp may need to cook ever-so -slightly longer. And do NOT forget to take out the trash. 🤣
The corn and potatoes are a great side dish, and they cook right in the pot with everything else, which gives them great flavor!😋
Cooking low country boil
Combine the first 8 ingredients (crab boil through Worcestershire sauce), add water until half full and boil for 30 minutes. Note: This can be done as a prep step earlier to blend seasonings, and you can bring it back up to a boil when you are ready to cook.
Add potatoes and sausage, and cook 5 minutes.
Add ears of corn, and cook 5 minutes more.
Add in shrimp, and cook until shrimp start to turn pink, about 3 to 5 minutes.
My medium peeled, deveined shrimp took about 3 minutes. Shell-on shrimp take about 5 minutes. (Cooking time may vary, based on size of shrimp, so be careful not to overcook.)
Strain and serve immediately. Tip: I like to have cocktail sauce, butter, salt and pepper available.
Serve on a large tray. Some people even dump it on a lined table top or picnic table. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
I hope y’all enjoy this easy low country boil recipe! Be sure and let me know if you try it.
Tools Used to Make Lazy Low Country Boil
This post may contain affiliate links, which pay a referral fee to me at no additional cost to you. My full affiliate disclosure can be seen here.
- I used this Cuisinart 8 quart stock pot. If you double the recipe you will need a bigger pot, like this 4 gallon stock pot.
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
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Lazy Low Country Boil
Ingredients
- 1 bag crab boil seasoning (I used Zatarain’s)
- 1 onion quartered
- 2 stalks celery halved
- 1.5 Tablespoons salt
- 1.5 teaspoons hot sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 pound Polish sausage sliced
- 1.5 pounds small red potatoes (cook the bigger ones longer before adding the other ingredients)
- 3 to 4 ears of corn, halved
- 1.5 to 2 pounds shrimp washed, peeled and deveined
Instructions
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Combine the first 8 ingredients (crab boil through Worcestershire sauce), add water until half full and boil for 30 minutes. Note: This can be done as a prep step earlier to blend seasonings, and you can bring it back up to a boil when you are ready to cook.
-
Add potatoes and sausage, and cook 5 minutes.
-
Add corn, and cook 5 minutes more.
-
Add in shrimp, and cook until shrimp start to turn pink, about 3 to 5 minutes. My medium peeled, deveined shrimp took about 3 minutes. Shell-on shrimp take about 5 minutes. (Cooking time may vary, based on size of shrimp, so be careful not to overcook.)
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Strain and serve immediately. Tip: I like to have cocktail sauce, butter, salt and pepper available.
Recipe Notes
You can use this same recipe with shell-on shrimp. Just cook the shrimp until they turn pink (about 5 minutes).
If you decide to double this recipe, make sure to use a large stock pot, like this 4 gallon one (Amazon affiliate).
If the water gets low ass you are adding ingredients, and the food is not fully covered, add more water and return to a boil before adding the next ingredient.
Lazy low country boil originally appeared on A Pinch of Healthy July 2017. It has been updated with new photos. Here is what it used to look like.
Terri says
I wanted to make this to take over to my mom’s for Mother’s Day. Can you make and take this recipe?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Terri! You definitely could. The main risk to that would be having the shrimp be slightly overcooked. That being said, for best results, you may want to wait and cook at least the shrimp in the mixture just prior to serving.
Kitty Ann says
I just left the store and forgot the seasoning bag! I have Old Bay. Will that work? And since it’s not in a bag how much should I use?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Aw man, I am just now seeing this comment. I would definitely recommend the bag of shrimp boil spices, as it includes more than just plain Old Bay. It would be worth a trip back to the store, in my opinion. But you’ve likely already made the dish by now.
Caroline Reid says
This was an easy recipe for my first time ever making the low country boil. my husband really enjoyed it. I keep the ingredients at all times. i just hope i don’t want to eat it all the time.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it!💖 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating.🙏🏻