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Easy Crock Pot Shrimp Boil

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This crockpot shrimp boil is a perfect dinner for any night of the week. Loaded with succulent shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, red potatoes, and of course classic cajun spices, this seafood boil is made so easily in the slow cooker.

overhead shot of a shrimp boil in a crockpot.

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil

You might also know this as a low country boil or crab boil. No matter what you call it, this slow cooker shrimp boil is a favorite.

Slow cooker recipes are something I love for busy weeknights or nights I want to have a break from cooking. With this one, you get a full seafood dinner without heating up the kitchen on an already hot day.

I used shrimp, but you can also add crab and other seafood to enhance the flavor even more.

You’re gonna need some napkins for this one (possibly even a bib…) so grab those lemon wedges, drizzle the lemon juice all over the boil, and dive in.

If you enjoy cajun flavor, try this slow cooker cajun chicken alfredo. It is a fantastic dinner idea with pasta. Or for a snack, try cajun chex mix also made in the slow cooker.

Why you’ll love this Crockpot Shrimp Boil

  • Easy Dinner Recipe – Throwing everything into the slow cooker makes this a super easy meal. Prep takes just minutes.
  • Easy Clean-Up – The entire meal is made in the crockpot so you don’t have a ton of dishes to do.
  • Classic Summery Meal – Serve it at your next dinner party!
closeup shot of shrimp, corn, potatoes, and lemons laid out on parchment paper.

Equipment you’ll need

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.

  • SHRIMP – Two pounds of uncooked large shrimp, deveined with the shells still on. You can also use frozen shrimp.
  • RED POTATOES – Medium red potatoes, cut in half. If they are large, cut them in quarters.
  • CORN – Four ears of fresh sweet corn, cut into 3-inch pieces.
  • SAUSAGE – Smoked beef sausage or spicy sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • SEAFOOD SEASONING – Seafood seasoning (usually Old Bay) is generally a blend of salt, celery seed, dry mustard powder, red pepper, black pepper, bay leaves, paprika, cloves, allspice, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.
  • CHICKEN BROTH – If you don’t have chicken broth (or want to watch sodium), you can use water.
  • GARLIC – A few garlic cloves, minced.
  • ONION POWDER – Onion powder or toss in a diced up yellow onion to enhance the flavor of the onion.
  • LEMONS – You’ll need the juice of a lemon for the boil and then additional lemons for squeezing over the top. We like lots of lemon.
overhead shot of labeled ingredients laid out to make a shrimp boil.

How to make the best slow cooker shrimp boil

  1. STEP ONE: In the bottom of a 6 (or 8) quart slow cooker, place potatoes and corn and sprinkle with half of the seafood seasoning.
  2. STEP TWO: Add a layer of sausage and then pour in chicken broth, onion powder, and minced garlic. Place lid on and cook on high 3 ½ hours.
  3. STEP THREE: After 3.5 hours, add shrimp to the crockpot and squeeze lemon juice over them. Sprinkle on the remaining seafood seasoning and set the crockpot to LOW for another 30 minutes.

Serve immediately while warm.

collage of 4 photos showing the process of making a shrimp boil in a slow cooker.

⭐️ For a more classic shrimp boil feel, place newspaper out on you table and then once the boil is cooked simply pour your shrimp and sausage on the paper. Then pair with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, butter sauce or other condiments of choice.

What should I serve with it?

With this crockpot shrimp boil, some good things to serve are melted butter, seafood seasoning, cocktail sauce,  lemon wedges, and parsley.

Sides

Not sure what to pair next to your main dish? I love having beer bread or even 3-ingredient biscuits. Or opt for a tasty salad, or a simple vegetable side dish.

Desserts

For desserts I love to pair it with my light cheesecake fluff salad, strawberry pie, or even my ranger cookies. They are always a hit after a hearty slow cooker dinner!

Drinks

Like most seafood recipes you want something refreshing to pair with. Consider sipping on this old fashioned lemonade. Or if you want an adult beverage whip up this quick ranch water recipe. Or a sweet and tart blackberry lemonade.

Possible Substitutions/Additions

  • You can use old bay seasoning or even creole seasoning as your seafood seasoning. Depending on spice factor, add in a little cayenne pepper to spice it up more.
  • Instead of the smoked beef sausage, try another fully cooked smoky sausage like kielbasa or andouille.
  • You can substitute red potatoes with yellow or russet potatoes.
  • Instead of chicken broth opt try beer. Use a pale ale style cold beer to enhance the flavor. Pour in one beer then add broth (or water) to ensure you have enough liquid to equal 4 cups of liquid.
  • Drizzle your final dish with some melted butter or sprinkle on hot sauce for added flavor.

How to reheat and store crock pot shrimp boil

How to store leftovers

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You could also store in a plastic zip top bag if you prefer.

How long will shrimp boil last in the fridge?

You can expect your shrimp and sausage to last 2-3 days in the fridge. The shrimp is going to be the first thing to spoil in the mixture.

Can I freeze slow cooker shrimp boil?

You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating. However, it is best when enjoyed immediately.

How to reheat it

What I love about this easy seafood boil is it reheats nicely. Place in a single layer and warm up in the oven at 325 degrees until it is warmed through. I recommend covering it with foil and adding in a little broth to steam it as it reheats to prevent it from drying out.

slotted spoon lifting shrimp and corn from a slow cooker.

NOTES

  • For a more classic shrimp boil feel, place newspaper out on you table and then once the boil is cooked simply pour the shrimp and sausage on the paper. Serve with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, butter sauce or other condiments of choice.
  • You can adjust the amount of flavorful Old Bay seasoning you use. You can also buy mild seafood seasoning or spicy to adjust the heat level.
  • Take a fork and poke into the small red potatoes to see if they are fork tender to check for doneness.
  • You can use raw or frozen shrimp for this recipe.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! If you use frozen shrimp, leave the crockpot on HIGH for the last 30 minutes instead of switching to LOW.

Which size slow cooker do I need?

You’ll want a large slow cooker – 6 or 8 quart – for this dinner recipe. You can read the review of my favorite slow cooker here.

Do you eat shrimp boil cold or hot?

It is best cooked and served warm straight from the slow cooker. If you happen to have leftovers, feel free to eat cold.

Need more slow cooker meals? Try these:

Slow Cooker Salmon
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
Slow Cooker Gumbo
Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Slow Cooker Shrimp Scampi

Click here for my entire collection of crockpot recipes.

collage of photos showing shrimp boil being made in a slow cooker.

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overhead shot of a shrimp boil in a crockpot.

Crockpot Shrimp Boil

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
This crock pot shrimp boil is a perfect dinner for any night of the week. Loaded with succulent shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, red potatoes, and of course classic cajun spices, this seafood boil is made so easily in the slow cooker.
4.72 from 39 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1100 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds large shrimp deveined shell on raw
  • 1 ½ pounds red potatoes cut in half
  • 4 ears sweet corn cut into 3-inch segments
  • 2 pounds smoked beef sausage cut into 1-inch segments
  • ½ cup seafood seasoning divided
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • Juice from 1 lemon

Instructions
 

  • To the bottom of a 6-8 quart slow cooker, lay in the corn and potatoes.
  • Sprinkle an even layer of half the seafood seasoning over the corn and potatoes.
  • Add in the sausage and then pour in chicken broth, onion powder, and minced garlic.
  • Set slow cooker on HIGH and cook for 3 ½ hours.
  • After 3.5 hours, add shrimp to the crockpot and squeeze lemon juice over them. Sprinkle on the remaining seafood seasoning and set the crockpot to LOW for another 30 minutes.
  • Serve warm right away.

Notes

  • You can use old bay seasoning or even creole seasoning as your seafood seasoning. Depending on spice factor add in a little cayenne pepper to spice it up more.
  • Instead of the smoked beef sausage, try another fully cooked smoky sausage like kielbasa or andouille.
  • You can substitute red potatoes with yellow or russet potatoes.
  • Instead of chicken broth opt try beer. Use a pale ale style cold beer to enhance the flavor. Pour in one beer then add broth (or water) to ensure you have enough liquid to equal 4 cups of liquid.
  • Drizzle your final dish with some melted butter or sprinkle on hot sauce for added flavor.
  • If using frozen shrimp, leave slow cooker on HIGH for 30 minutes after you add them. 
  • Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1100kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 74gFat: 65gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 454mgSodium: 3646mgPotassium: 1971mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 994IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 272mgIron: 8mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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  1. Savannah says

    In hindsight, I should have questioned the 1/2 cup of Old Bay, but having never made something like this before, I followed the recipe exactly. My sweet, sweet husband thanked me profusely when I told him I would not make this again. I’m sure this would be delicious with far less seasoning though.

    • Melissa Williams says

      I’m sorry it was too much seasoning for you. You could definitely use less, but that’s the amount tested with & enjoyed on our end.

  2. Tarah says

    Can this be cooked on low before adding the shrimp in? If so how long?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Low for 5-6 hours should be good, but each slow cooker runs differently so keep an eye on it, if you can.

  3. Jim says

    5 stars
    We tried this dish and it was excellent. The only change we made is that we used a 1/4 cup of Old Bay. We will definitely make this again. Thank you.👍👍

  4. Sherry says

    Can I use frozen cooked shrimp and add it the last fifteen minutes just long enough to heat it

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, instructions for frozen are in the post & in the recipe card 🙂

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