Instant Pot Shrimp Boil is a quick version of a traditional low country recipe made with Andouille sausage, corn, potatoes, and shrimp cooked in creole and Old Bay seasonings.

Instant Pot Shrimp Boil in a platter


 

This is one of those recipes that just screams summer to us. Being from Maryland we love our seafood and anything with Old Bay is on our “yes please!” list. Add that creole seasoning we love in our Instant Pot Jambalaya and we’re taken back to summer vacations in South Carolina and Louisiana.

Making a traditional shrimp boil in your Instant pot only requires some short, easy prep and just a handful of easy to find ingredients.

Frogmore stew and low country boil are both other names for this dish and they all refer to this dish that’s popular in an area of coastal South Carolina.

The dish is so simple you’ll be making it anytime you want a taste of the low country at home.

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ingredients for a Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make a perfect shrimp boil in the Instant Pot.

  • Chicken broth – The broth adds a bit of extra flavor and is needed for the boil. 
  • Andouille sausage – Andouille sausage adds a bit of extra spice. In a pinch, you could use hot Italian, but andouille is our preferred.
  • Red potatoes – I use red potatoes, but you can use white or boiler potatoes if you prefer.
  • Corn – You’ll need fresh or frozen corn on the cob cut into about 2 inch pieces.
  • Aromatics – For great flavor, you’ll need onion, garlic, and bay leaves.
  • Seasonings – You’ll need cajun or creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, black peppercorns, lemon, and garlic powder to add some amazing flavor to the shrimp and veggies.
  • Shrimp – I use medium sized shrimp with their shell on. 
  • Butter – Butter is essential for pretty much any seafood meal. 
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil with sausage and corn

New to using an Instant Pot? Make sure you read our beginner’s guide on “How to Use an Instant Pot” to get started!

Instructions

Here’s how to make this shrimp boil in a 6 quart Instant Pot.

Step 1 – Prep the spices. In a small bowl, mix the cajun or creole seasoning, and 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning. Set aside for a moment.

Step 2 – Add the ingredients to the pot. First, pour the broth into the inner pot. Next, carefully add the sausage, potatoes, corn, onion, and garlic. Next, sprinkle the seasoning mix over top of the ingredients in the pot.

Finally, add the black peppercorns and give the ingredients in the pot a good stir and place your bay leaves into the liquid.

Step 3 – Cook the sausage and veggies. Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to SEALING. Select manual pressure on high and set to cook for 5 minutes.

When the timer goes off, make sure the KEEP WARM light is on. Do a quick release and then carefully remove the lid.

Step 4 – Cook the shrimp. Carefully add the raw shrimp to the pot and stir together with the hot ingredients. Place the lid back on the pot and let the residual heat cook the shrimp. This will take about 5 to 10 minutes.

You can tell it is done when the shrimp is pink and slightly white and the tails are dark red.

Step 5 – Prep the butter. As the shrimp cooks, melt the butter in the microwave or over low heat in a small sauce pot and add the juice of one lemon, garlic powder, and remaining teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning. Whisk together.

Step 6 – Serve it up. Once the shrimp is cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the food from the Instant Pot and place in a large bowl. 

For a more traditional spread, lay brown paper on your table and add the food right on top. It’s a bit messy, but it will make fun family memories. 

Pour the seasoned butter over the food and enjoy!

holding a shrimp from ingredients for a Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

Fresh or Frozen Shrimp 

It really doesn’t matter. You can use either frozen or fresh shrimp. 

Personally, I prefer fresh, shell on shrimp. In a true, low country boil, you’re getting in there with your hands and peeling the shrimp as you eat it. 

If you use frozen, allow it to thaw first. 

Alternatively you can also use fresh or frozen peeled shrimp. You’ll get the same great flavor, and it requires a little less work to eat. It’s just less authentic to a true shrimp boil.

Do You Devein Shrimp for a Shrimp Boil 

Whether you devein shrimp is largely a personal choice. Veins are safe to eat, and in some cases, you won’t even notice them.

If the veins are super dark or you just want to get rid of them, you certainly can. To do so, use a small, sharp knife to cut along the center back of the shrimp. You should see the vein once it is cut.

Next, use the tip of the knife, a toothpick, or your finger to remove the vein. As an added bonus, the cut shell makes it easier to peel once it is cooked.

Instant Pot Shrimp Boil in a platter with corn

Looking for More Easy Instant Pot Recipes?

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

Instant Pot shrimp boil is a quick version of the traditional coastal recipe. You can enjoy the flavor of your favorite seafood meal at home!
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil in a platter
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups Chicken broth
  • 16 ounces Andouille sausage, cut into two inch pieces
  • 1 pound Red Potatoes, halved
  • 3 ears Corn, cut into 2 inch slices
  • 1 medium Onion, quartered
  • 3 cloves Garlic, smashed
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun or creole seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Black peppercorns
  • 1 pound medium Shrimp, shell on
  • cup Butter, melted
  • 1 Lemon
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder

Instructions

  • Pour the broth into the pot. Followed by the sausage, potatoes, corn, onion, and garlic.
  • Combine the cajun or creole seasoning, and 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning (this leaves 1 teaspoon for later) in a small bowl and sprinkle over the ingredients in the pot.
  • Add the black peppercorns and give the ingredients in the pot a good stir and then place your bay leaves into the liquid.
  • Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to SEALING. Set to HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
  • When the timer goes off make sure the KEEP WARM light is on. Do a quick release and then remove the lid.
  • Add the raw shrimp to the pot and stir together with the hot ingredients. Place lid back on the pot and let the residual heat cook the shrimp. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes. You will know it is done when the shrimp is pink and slightly white and the tails are dark red.
  • While the shrimp cooks melt the butter and add the juice of one lemon, garlic powder, and remaining teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning. Whisk together.
  • Once shrimp is cooked use a slotted spoon to remove the food from the Instant Pot and place in a large bowl or if you’re going traditional spread it on a brown paper lined table.
  • Pour the seasoned butter over the food and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 639kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 48g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 136mg, Sodium: 1174mg, Potassium: 1010mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1020IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Main dish