Cajun Shrimp Boil Corn (Printable)

A hearty mix of shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage cooked in a rich Cajun broth with fresh herbs.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 1.5 lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, 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

# Steps:

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 beginning to tenderize.
03 - Add sliced andouille sausage and corn pieces to the pot. Continue boiling for 8 minutes until sausage is heated through and corn starts to soften.
04 - Add shrimp to the pot. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Do not overcook.
05 - Drain the boil immediately in a large colander. Discard bay leaves and lemon halves.
06 - Spread the shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage onto a large serving platter or newspaper-covered table for authentic presentation.
07 - Drizzle melted butter evenly over the boil. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time for gathering around the table
  • The Cajun broth infuses every ingredient with layers of spicy, smoky flavor that feels like a celebration
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tragic, so watch them like a hawk and drain the instant they turn pink
  • The broth is the real MVP here, so consider saving some before draining for a future soup or rice dish base
03 -
  • Buy the best quality shrimp you can find, since they are the star of the show and deserve the spotlight
  • Let the butter come to room temperature before melting so it drizzles evenly instead of clumping

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