The Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is a mouthwatering take on a Southern classic, made effortlessly with the help of your trusty slow cooker. This comforting dish combines baby potatoes, sweet corn, spicy andouille sausage, and juicy shrimp in a seasoned broth infused with garlic, mustard seeds, and bold Old Bay flavor.
Ideal for casual dinners, backyard gatherings, or end-of-summer celebrations, it delivers all the richness of a traditional boil with half the hassle. Finished with a buttery lemon-parsley drizzle, this is a complete one-pot meal that celebrates comfort, spice, and simplicity. Skip the stove—just dump, set, and enjoy the feast.
Full Recipe:
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1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
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8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
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4 bay leaves
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1 lb baby potatoes, halved
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3 cups low-sodium seafood broth (or vegetable broth/water)
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1 tbsp white vinegar
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1 tsp mustard seeds
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1/2 tsp celery salt
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6 tsp Old Bay seasoning, divided
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2 ears of corn, cut into 4 pieces each
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12 oz andouille sausage, sliced on a bias (1/2″ thick)
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1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on
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1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
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In a slow cooker, combine onion, garlic, bay leaves, baby potatoes, broth, vinegar, mustard seeds, celery salt, and 4 tsp Old Bay. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
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Add corn and sausage. Stir well. Cover and continue cooking for 2 more hours.
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Season shrimp with the remaining 2 tsp Old Bay. Add shrimp and 4 lemon wedges to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for another 10 minutes, until shrimp are just cooked through.
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Carefully strain the entire shrimp mixture using a large sieve or colander over a medium pot. Return the shrimp and vegetables to the slow cooker to stay warm.
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Boil the strained broth over medium-high heat until reduced by half (about 15–20 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in butter until melted.
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Pour the buttery broth back over the shrimp and vegetables in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and season with additional Old Bay to taste. Serve with remaining lemon wedges.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours 30 minutes | Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Kcal: 365 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Southern Tradition Meets Modern Convenience
The shrimp boil is more than just a dish—it’s an event, a gathering, a celebration rooted in Southern tradition. Historically enjoyed along the coasts of Louisiana, Georgia, and the Carolinas, shrimp boils are synonymous with community, conversation, and long summer days. Traditionally prepared outdoors in large pots over open flames, the boil brings together family and friends around newspaper-lined tables, where hands are the best utensils and flavor is the centerpiece.
With this Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil recipe, that rich tradition is modernized to suit the demands of busy lives and smaller kitchens. By moving the process into a slow cooker, the recipe preserves the heart and soul of the original dish—juicy shrimp, sweet corn, spicy sausage, and perfectly tender potatoes—while simplifying the effort it takes to pull it off.
Why the Slow Cooker is a Game Changer
One of the biggest challenges of a traditional shrimp boil is timing and volume management. Getting each component—potatoes, sausage, corn, and shrimp—cooked to perfection without overcooking any element takes precision and constant monitoring. Enter the slow cooker: a set-it-and-forget-it kitchen hero.
Using a slow cooker not only eliminates the stress of managing multiple pots but also locks in moisture and deepens the flavor over time. The baby potatoes soften into buttery bites, the sausage infuses the broth with smoky heat, and the corn absorbs all the spicy, savory richness from the seasoned liquid. Most importantly, the shrimp are added last to ensure they remain tender and juicy—not rubbery, as can happen in high-heat stovetop boils.
The Role of Old Bay and Cajun Spice
No shrimp boil is complete without a generous helping of Old Bay seasoning. This iconic blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, and other spices brings the classic briny punch that seafood lovers crave. In this recipe, Old Bay is used both in the cooking broth and directly on the shrimp, ensuring a layered spice profile that resonates in every bite.
What sets this version apart is the use of Cajun-style andouille sausage instead of the more common kielbasa. Andouille is bold and smoky with hints of garlic, pepper, and paprika—many of the same elements found in Old Bay. The result is a more cohesive, richly seasoned dish that truly elevates the humble boil into something special.
Versatility for Every Season and Occasion
While shrimp boils are typically seen as summer fare, this slow cooker adaptation makes it easy to enjoy year-round. Hosting a winter gathering? Let the savory steam from your slow cooker warm your kitchen. Craving seafood on a rainy weeknight? This one-pot dish requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor with little cleanup.
It also scales effortlessly. You can double the batch for a larger crowd or adjust the protein and vegetable ratios to suit dietary needs or personal preferences. For a pescatarian version, simply omit the sausage. Want to kick it up a notch? Add crab legs or crawfish toward the end of the cook time for an even more indulgent experience.
Healthful and Hearty: A Balanced Meal
Despite its indulgent reputation, a shrimp boil—especially when made at home—can be quite balanced. Shrimp is low in fat and high in protein, and when paired with fiber-rich corn and potatoes, the dish becomes a satisfying and nourishing meal. The inclusion of garlic, onions, mustard seeds, and celery salt not only enhances flavor but also brings anti-inflammatory and digestive health benefits.
By controlling the amount of butter used in the finishing broth, you can adjust the richness of the final dish to your preference. Fresh parsley and lemon wedges at the end provide a burst of brightness that lightens up the overall experience.
Perfect Pairings to Complete the Meal
A shrimp boil is often enjoyed on its own, but if you’re planning a full spread, a few complementary sides can round out the experience. Classic Southern sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or hush puppies offer satisfying textures and contrasting flavors. For a lighter touch, a fresh cucumber salad or citrusy arugula greens balance the richness of the main dish.
Drinks also play an important role. A cold lager, crisp white wine, or citrus-forward mocktail all pair beautifully with the spiced, buttery flavors of the boil. Finish the meal with something light, like lemon bars or peach sorbet, to cleanse the palate and keep the summer vibes going strong.
Tips for the Best Results
To ensure your Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is a hit every time, keep these tips in mind:
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Use fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp. Look for wild-caught shrimp whenever possible for the best texture and flavor.
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Don’t skip the lemon wedges. The acidity cuts through the richness of the butter and enhances every bite.
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Add shrimp at the end. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery quickly, so be sure to stick to the timing.
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Use low-sodium broth. This allows you to control the saltiness, especially since Old Bay contains salt.
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Make it a feast. Serve directly from the slow cooker or pour everything out onto a tray or newspaper-covered table for a rustic, hands-on experience.
A Crowd-Pleaser That Brings People Together
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is its ability to bring people together. There’s something undeniably joyful about a dish that encourages communal eating, shared plates, and buttery fingers. It invites guests to roll up their sleeves, dig in, and savor the moment without pretense.
Whether you’re hosting a summer party, preparing a special family dinner, or simply craving the flavors of the coast, this dish delivers comfort and celebration in every spoonful.
Conclusion: Southern Flavor Without the Fuss
The Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is proof that you don’t need a backyard burner or pounds of crab to enjoy an authentic Southern seafood experience. With its bold seasoning, minimal prep, and foolproof cooking method, this dish offers the ultimate blend of ease and flavor.
Perfect for casual entertaining or a weeknight indulgence, it checks all the boxes—comforting, flavorful, hearty, and downright fun to eat. Best of all, it brings the spirit of Southern hospitality into your home, one slow-simmered bite at a time.
