Also known as Frogmore Stew, it’s a southern classic that’s meant for a crowd, and is a common sight at outdoor celebrations. So grab your biggest pot (and plenty of paper napkins), and get ready to feast! Southern cuisine has some of the all time best meals to feed a bunch of people. A giant batch of Jambalaya is always a hit, as is a huge pot of Brunswick Stew. And for breakfast, you can’t beat Biscuits and Gravy. This Low Country Boil is one of our favorites for special occasions like large family get togethers like birthdays or family reunions. There’s just something about digging into a big old mess of food that brings people together…
What is Low Country Boil
Low Country Boil is a cherished Southern culinary delight, hailing from the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia. Often referred to as Frogmore Stew, this dish paints a vivid picture of community gatherings and coastal traditions. At its heart, the boil is a sumptuous medley of fresh shrimp, corn on the cob, red potatoes, and smoked sausage, seasoned to perfection with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. Cooked together in a single pot, the flavors com together perfectly, creating a feast that’s not just about the food, but also about the shared experience. Paired with a zesty butter sauce, this boil promises a flavor-packed meal that’s sure to wow the crowd.
Why We LOVE this Frogmore Stew Recipe
Unmatched Flavor Profile: The combination of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes, seasoned with the iconic Old Bay, promises a mouthwatering burst of flavor with every bite. Community and Connection: This dish is more than just food, it’s an event! Gathering around a table with a steaming pot of Low Country Boil fosters connection, evokes laughter, and creates cherished memories with loved ones. Versatility: Whether it’s a casual backyard get-together or a grand celebration, Low Country Boil fits the bill. You can easily scale it up for larger groups or down for intimate dinners. Efficiency: One-pot wonders are a dream for cooks! With minimal clean-up and a straightforward cooking process, it’s a no-fuss recipe that delivers maximum satisfaction. The Butter Sauce: While you can just serve it with melted butter, but we’ve added in some flavor boosters to take it over the top. It’s Fun! Sure, you get a bit messy, maybe go through a roll or two of paper towels, but it’s one of the most fun dinners you’ll ever eat!
Ingredients
Shrimp – We prefer jumbo wild shrimp. Wild have much better flavor and texture than farmed. We also leave the heads on, as they add a lot of flavor to the broth, but feel free to use headless. Sausage – Any of your favorite smoked varieties like andouille or kielbasa. We’ve found a brand called “Garcia” in the grocery store that goes great here. Potatoes – Petite reds. If using larger potatoes, cut them in half. Avoid starchy varieties like Russett, as they will fall apart. Corn – Nice sweet corn. Onion – Not for eating, but infusing flavor. For the broth – Water, chicken broth, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, salt, hot sauce. Butter sauce – Butter, garlic, Creole seasoning, some reserved cooking broth.
Easy Low Country Boil Recipe
- Prep the broth: In a large pot, combine water, chicken broth, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, salt, hot sauce. Bring it to a boil.
- Add the ingredients: As different components have different cooking times, you will be adding them in separately. Here is the order of your boil:
Add potatoes, cook for 5 minutes. Add onion and sausage, cook for 15 minutes. Add corn, cook for 3 minutes. Add shrimp, cook for 3 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve: Traditional Low Country Boil is often dumped directly onto newspaper-covered tables for communal eating. It’s not just delicious, it’s an experience! But if you prefer a neater approach, large serving platters work too. Serve with the butter sauce, cocktail sauce, baguette bread and lemon wedges for squeezing.
Tips and Notes
Use a Big Enough Pot: This recipe serves 4-6, and we could barely fit it all in our 7qt dutch oven. If you’re serving a larger crowd, increase the amounts of the ingredients appropriately and use a large stock pot. Shrimp Selection: Using head-on shrimp enhances the flavor depth. However, if you’re serving guests who might be squeamish, you can opt for peeled and deveined shrimp. Remember, fresh is best! Don’t Skimp on the Seasoning: It may seem like a lot, but remember, you’re not drinking the broth. You need all that seasoning to infuse into the food. Fresh Corn: Always opt for fresh ears of corn over frozen. The sweetness and texture of fresh corn cannot be beaten and elevate the overall dish. Creole Seasoning: When making the butter sauce, we recommend making our homemade Creole Seasoning recipe, it’s much fresher and more customizable than the store bought stuff.
What to Serve with Low Country Boil
This is a great meal full of protein, veggies and carbs. But you can always include some great appetizers or sides! A simple baguette is great, but you can go all out and try our easy No Knead Bread or Bacon Jalapeno Cornbread. Add some freshness factor with a Caesar Salad, Three Bean Salad, Coleslaw or Wedge Salad. Or for some cool refreshment, whip up a Watermelon Salad. You can make it a total Southern feast and pair your shrimp boil with Cheese Grits, Squash Casserole and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Lowcountry Boil Variations
We tried to keep it pretty basic with this recipe, but there are plenty of ways to customize your boil.
Add More Seafood: Crab legs, whole blue crabs, mussels, clams, crawfish or even lobster tails all go great here. Go wild! Use Beer: Replace some of the water or chicken broth with beer. A good lager or ale can lend a great depth of flavor to the boil. Swap the Seasoning: Switch out the Old Bay seasoning for Creole seasoning. This will give your boil a distinct Louisiana twist. Give it Veggie Power: Add in some green beans, bell peppers or zucchini in the last few minutes. Go Spicy: Add in more hot sauce, or some sliced jalapeños or habaneros to give it some real kick!
Leftovers and Storage
While we prefer eating our seafood the day it’s cooked, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in an oven preheated to 325°F for 10-15 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on the power of your microwave. Shrimp and other seafood can become rubbery if overheated. Always reheat gently. Make your next feast a celebration with this easy Low Country Boil recipe. Gather your friends and family, sip some beers, and dig into this classic party dish! Pin or bookmark this great recipe so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!
Low Country Boil, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great Southern Recipes:Shrimp and GritsSmothered ChickenChicken Fried SteakSouthern Braised ChickenNew Orleans BBQ ShrimpGrillades and GritsCountry CaptainShrimp Po’ Boy
