Southern-Style Spicy Seafood Boil Bowl 

 

Southern-Style Spicy Seafood Boil Bowl

 

If you’re craving bold Southern flavors with a mix of seafood, smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and sweet corn, then this Spicy Seafood Boil Bowl is exactly what you need. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together—served in a big pot or even poured out onto the table for a true Southern dining experience.

This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight but festive enough for a weekend gathering.

 Ingredients (Serves 4):

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ lb smoked sausage (like andouille or chorizo), sliced into rounds
  • 2 ears corn, cut into thirds
  • ½ lb baby red potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (or a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar (balances the flavors)
  • Juice of 2 lemons + extra wedges for serving
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the seasoned boil broth

Fill a large stockpot halfway with water. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, salt, sugar, Old Bay, pepper, red pepper flakes, and the juice of 1 lemon. Bring it all to a boil and let the flavors infuse for about 10 minutes.

2. Cook the potatoes

Add the baby red potatoes to the pot. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, until they are just starting to become fork-tender.

3. Add corn and sausage

Next, add the corn pieces and smoked sausage. Cook for another 5–7 minutes. The sausage will flavor the broth while the corn becomes tender and sweet.

4. Cook the shrimp

Finally, add the shrimp. They only need 3–4 minutes to cook. You’ll know they’re done when they turn pink and opaque.

5. Toss with butter and lemon

Drain everything from the pot. Transfer the shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle with melted butter, the juice of the second lemon, and sprinkle a little extra Old Bay on top. Toss until well coated.

 Serving Suggestions

  • Spread the seafood boil out on a large tray or directly onto parchment paper in the center of the table for a fun, family-style meal.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and extra lemon wedges.
  • Serve with garlic butter dipping sauce or a spicy aioli on the side.

 Tips for the Best Seafood Boil

  1. Cook in stages: Potatoes go first, shrimp last—this keeps everything perfectly cooked.
  2. Don’t overcook shrimp: They turn rubbery if left too long.
  3. Mix up the seafood: Crab legs, mussels, or clams can be added for variety.
  4. Make it spicier: Add more crushed red pepper or hot sauce directly to the butter sauce.

What to Serve with Seafood Boil

  • Garlic bread or cornbread to soak up the juices.
  • A fresh green salad for balance.
  • Cold drinks (iced tea, lemonade, or beer) to cool off the heat.

 Total Time

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Total: 40 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Fiber: 4g

 

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