Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

You know what’s effortlessly delicious? This Instant Pot Shrimp Boil, straight from low country traditions, features scrumptious shrimp, hearty potatoes, savory sausage, and corn, all cooked faster and easier than you’d think, all drenched in a finger-lickin’ garlic butter sauce.

Imagine planning a delicious and hearty meal for your friends and family and deciding to try something different. You’ve heard about a mouthwatering dish called shrimp boil, traditionally cooked outdoors in a large pot, and you can’t wait to try it.

But what if there was an easier and quicker way to make this scrumptious Southern delight? Introducing the Instant Pot Shrimp Boil, a modern and convenient twist on the classic low country boil that’ll impress your guests and leave them craving more.

As a proud owner of an Instant Pot, you know this magical appliance simplifies your life in the kitchen, allowing you to create amazing dishes in a fraction of the time.

With the Instant Pot Shrimp Boil, you can effortlessly combine smoky sausage, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and succulent shrimp, all cooked to perfection without breaking a sweat. The simplicity and hands-off approach to this easy recipe means you’ll have more time to enjoy the company of your loved ones while the Instant Pot does all the work.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Boil Recipe

• Time-saving: With the Instant Pot, you’ll have a delicious shrimp boil ready in about 35 minutes, with cook time being only 5 minutes—no more waiting for the water to boil or constantly checking the pot. Just set the timer and let the pressure cooker do all the work for you!
• Less Mess: One of the great things about using an Instant Pot recipe is that it significantly reduces the required cleanup. The entire shrimp boil is inside the pot, so you won’t have to deal with multiple pots, pans, or messy stovetops.
• Great Flavor: The Instant Pot shrimp boil includes all the classic ingredients like baby potatoes, smoked sausage, shrimp, and corn on the cob. The pressure cooking method melts all the flavors together, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal.
• Customizable: If you enjoy some heat in your shrimp boil, feel free to add hot sauce or additional seasonings. And, if you have picky eaters in your family, it’s easy to adjust the ingredient quantities to suit everyone’s taste preferences.

Ingredients

• Smoked andouille sausage: This sausage provides the recipe with its iconic smoky flavor and its texture pairs perfectly with shrimp.
• Yellow onion: The chopped onion adds depth and some sweetness, enhancing the dish’s taste and complementing the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Red potatoes: These potatoes will absorb the seasoning and create a hearty base for your shrimp boil.
• Old Bay seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning, Old Bay adds an unmistakable zesty flavor and a little heat.
• Hot sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce to give the dish a kick, but feel free to adjust the amount according to your taste preference.
• Chicken broth: The chicken broth serves as the liquid base for the pressure cooking, adding a savory flavor to the potatoes, corn, and sausage.
• Ears of corn: Corn brings sweetness and brightness to this dish, providing a nice contrast to the spicy and savory elements.
• Bay leaves: Bay leaves add an earthy and subtle herbal flavor to the broth, which the potatoes and other ingredients absorb during pressure cooking.
• Jumbo shrimp: These succulent shrimp are the stars of the show and cook to perfection in the Instant Pot.
• Unsalted butter: Butter adds richness and silkiness to the dish while also helping to blend the flavors.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic enhances the dish’s overall taste by adding zesty and aromatic undertones.
• Fresh parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley will brighten up the dish and add a fresh layer of flavor.

How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

• Step 1: Add the andouille sausage, onions, potatoes, three teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning, and hot sauce into your 6-quart Instant Pot. Pour the chicken broth, then top with the corn and bay leaves.
• Step 2: Lock the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Select the manual setting, adjust the pressure to high, and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once it’s finished cooking, do a quick release of the pressure.

• Step 3: Add the shrimp and one tablespoon of butter to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Select the manual setting, adjust the pressure to high, and set the timer to 1 minute. Again, once it’s finished cooking, do a quick release of the pressure.
• Step 4: Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the minced garlic and the last teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning until it becomes fragrant, which should only take 1 to 2 minutes.
• Step 5: Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the top, and garnish it with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. 

Equipment Needed

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• Instant Pot: Your Instant Pot is, of course, the primary tool for this dish. Ensure you have a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot to accommodate all the ingredients.
• Sharp knife: A sharp knife is essential for cutting your ingredients, such as slicing the sausage and chopping vegetables like potatoes and corn.
• Slotted spoon: Removing the dish from the Instant Pot makes it easier.
• Cutting board: Protect your countertops and make chopping ingredients easier with a sturdy cutting board.
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need a couple to toss your cooked ingredients with seasonings or sauces before serving.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Properly measure your liquid, seasonings, and other ingredients for accuracy and consistent results.
• Tongs: Tongs will come in handy when it’s time to remove your shrimp boil ingredients from the Instant Pot and serve them up!

What to Serve with Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

• Salads: A fresh mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect way to balance the richness of the shrimp boil. Alternatively, you can serve a crisp Chipotle Coleslaw or a zesty tomato cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast.
• Bread: A crusty bread is ideal for mopping up any leftover juices and flavors on your plate. Consider serving garlic bread or Southern-style cornbread alongside the shrimp boil if you prefer something buttery and soft.
• Rice: Cooked jasmine or basmati rice can be a base that soaks up the shrimp boil’s delicious flavors. If you prefer a touch of spiciness, try serving Cajun dirty rice as a side dish to tie into the Southern theme.
• Vegetables: Oven-roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or green beans can complement the different textures in your shrimp boil. Additionally, a pan of Southern-style greens would be a fantastic partner to the dish.

Substitutions

• Corn: If you don’t have fresh corn on the cob, you can use frozen, thawed corn cobs instead. Thaw them properly before adding them to your Instant Pot shrimp boil. Another option is canned corn; drain it before adding it to the pot.
• Old Bay Seasoning: You can use cajun seasoning if you can’t find store-bought Old Bay Seasoning.
• Red Potatoes: You can use red baby potatoes, and you won’t need to chop them. Yukon Gold potatoes will also work.
• Chicken Broth: Substitute almost any liquid like white wine, beer, or water.
• Not a Shrimp Fan? You can leave the shrimp out.
• Smoked Andouille Sausage: Use another type of sausage like kielbasa sausage.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Shrimp Boil

If you’re looking to add a kick to your shrimp boil, try this Spicy Shrimp Boil variation. You’ll want to start with the basic Instant Pot Shrimp Boil recipe. Add extra spices like cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.

Ingredients:

• Follow the basic recipe
• Add 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• A few dashes of hot sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Follow the basic recipe instructions, but add the cayenne pepper, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and Old Bay seasoning.
2. Cook as instructed and enjoy your fiery, Spicy Shrimp Boil!

Low Country Boil

A Low Country Boil, also known as Frogmore Stew, is a traditional coastal South Carolina dish that makes for a delicious variation of the Instant Pot Shrimp Boil. Grab the standard Instant Pot Shrimp Boil recipe as your base and make a few adjustments:

Ingredients:

• Follow the basic recipe
• Replace Andouille sausages with Kielbasa
• Add 1 lb of crab legs

Instructions:

1. Follow the basic recipe instructions, using Kielbasa instead of Andouille or smoked sausages.
2. If adding crab legs, place them in the Instant Pot and the shrimp before pressure cooking.
3. Cook as you normally would, following the basic recipe.

Storage Instructions

First things first, let your shrimp boil cool down to room temperature. It’s essential to never store hot food in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid bacteria growth. Once it’s cool, transfer your shrimp boil to airtight containers. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

To reheat, go low and slow. I recommend reheating on the stove with a little bit of chicken broth. Cover and cook on low until everything is warmed through.

Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can definitely freeze your Instant Pot Shrimp Boil for a convenient and delicious meal in the future. Freezing this meal ahead of time is a great way to save time and ensure you have a tasty dinner on hand.

To properly freeze your Shrimp Boil, start by packaging the recipe in a large freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Choose the right shrimp: This recipe works best with jumbo frozen shrimp. They won’t overcook and become rubbery. It’s best to use deveined, shelled shrimp with tails intact for easier eating.
• Sausage selection: Go for Andouille, smoked sausage, or kielbasa. These options add the best flavor to your shrimp boil. You can also use spicy or smoked sausage like Cajun or Andouille for an extra kick.
• Cooking time: Set your Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode and adjust the cooking time to 5 minutes. This will ensure your ingredients are cooked perfectly without overcooking the shrimp.
• Add some tang: Squeeze lemon wedges over the shrimp boil before serving. This adds a burst of flavor and complements the other ingredients. You can also drizzle on lemon juice.

What is a Shrimp Boil?

A shrimp boil is a classic Southern dish that combines delicious ingredients like shrimp, corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage, all cooked with a blend of savory seasonings. This flavorful meal is perfect for gatherings, parties, or a hearty family dinner. The best part about a shrimp boil is that it’s easy to prepare and customize based on your preferences.

Traditionally, a shrimp boil is prepared by boiling water with seasonings such as Old Bay and adding all the ingredients in stages. However, with the Instant Pot, you can make this dish in a fraction of the time, allowing for a quicker and more efficient meal. The high-pressure cooking method also helps to infuse the flavors into the ingredients, making for a tasty and satisfying dish.

Stovetop Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the andouille sausage, onions, potatoes, 3 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning, and hot sauce.
2. Pour in the chicken broth, then top with the corn and bay leaves.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let everything cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
4. Add the shrimp to the pot, stir, and then cover. Allow the shrimp to cook until they turn pink, about 5-7 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your shrimp, so keep an eye on them.
5. While the shrimp are cooking, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the garlic and the remaining teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning, and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Once the shrimp are cooked, drain the liquid from the pot (you may choose to reserve some for additional flavor when serving). Be sure to remove and discard the bay leaves.
7. Serve the shrimp boil immediately, drizzled with the garlic butter. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

You’ll also like Crockpot Dr. Pepper Baby Back Ribs and Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry.