Make this classic Old Bay Shrimp boil recipe in advance and chill. Serve with cocktail sauce or butter and watch these Boiled Old Bay Shrimp disappear!
OLD BAY SHRIMP BOIL RECIPE
Have you ever wanted something really bad and not been able to have it? Well, my husband did, and what he wanted was these Old Bay Shrimp.
See, at his 16th birthday party, Â he found out that he was allergic to shellfish, not mildly, but anaphylaxis-carry-an-EPI-pen-emergency-hospital-admission type of allergic.
Now that I am a parent, I cringe to think of the horror that my mother-in-law had to endure when she saw her son start to have trouble breathing and not understand why.
Yikes right!?!
Fast forward to many years of avoiding shellfish at all costs while still being a good-enough sport to sit through clam bakes, crab-eating trips to Baltimore and a road trip through coastal Maine where someone made said person who is allergic to shellfish stop at every roadside stand in view for real clam chowder.
All the while, all he wanted was a big bowl of Old Bay Shrimp.
To sit and eat them, dirty fingers and all, in peace, with some spicy cocktail sauce.
After we had our son, our son’s pediatrician suggested that my husband get re-tested for his shellfish allergy, because apparently, you can “out-grow” your allergy. Who knew?
Yep, you guessed it – Mr. EverydayMaven is no longer allergic to shellfish or any food for that matter.
We found this out about a year ago and I am embarrassed to admit I just finally got around to making this for him.
Yes, he loved it.
And, ate one pound by himself in peace, dirty fingers and all.
How long does it take to make a shrimp boil?
Not long at all. In somewhere around 10 minutes (Including prep time!) you can have this Old Bay shrimp boil recipe finished and chilling in the fridge. If you’re making your own cocktail sauce for the shrimp, that will only tack on an extra minute or two.
Can you make this Old Bay shrimp boil recipe Keto or Whole30?
Yes, absolutely. For Whole30, leave out the sauce or just use sugar-free ketchup instead. For keto, serve with melted butter.
Looking for more Old Bay recipes?
Here are a few more recipes on the blog featuring Old Bay seasoning:
- Crispy Old Bay Shrimp
- Old Bay Shrimp Celery Boats
- Baked Old Bay Sweet Potato Fries
- Old Bay Grilled Salmon
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Make this classic Old Bay Shrimp in advance and chill. Serve with cocktail sauce or butter and watch these Boiled Old Bay Shrimp disappear!
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar *can sub beer
- 8 cups water
- 1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 whole peppercorns
- 2 pounds large Wild-caught Shrimp
- 2 T Old Bay seasoning for tossing
- 1 cup ketchup natural or organic
- 3 T horseradish
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce gluten free if necessary
- pinch salt
-
Combine vinegar, water, 1/3 cup Old Bay, garlic and peppercorns in a large soup pot.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
-
When water is rapidly boiling, add shrimp, cover and cook 2 to 4 minutes (until shrimp are just pink).
-
Immediately drain shrimp and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons Old Bay.
-
Place uncovered in a bowl and refrigerate (at least 30 minutes) until ready to serve.
-
Combine all ingredients.
I use 3 tablespoons of horseradish to 1 cup of ketchup but I like my cocktail sauce to have a kick.
Start with 2 tablespoons and slowly adjust to taste and spice level. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve with plenty of napkins and Enjoy!
Â
- Click here to get help figuring out which Shrimp to buy! (Seafood Watch)
- For Whole30, omit the sauce or use a sugar free ketchup to make it.
- For Keto, serve with melted butter.
Note that the nutrition information is for the Old Bay Shrimp ONLY and doesn't include the cocktail sauce as many of you will serve this without the sauce or with melted butter.Â
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
Originally Posted: April 24th, 2012Â Â |Â Â Updated: December 18th, 2018
Jonny Hackett says
Plan on making this for my wife tomorrow since she’s never had peel and eat shrimp. My mother used to make this for us as kids and I loved it. Did you both with de-veining the shrimp? I can’t remember if we did or not. Thanks!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Jonny, Anytime I cook shrimp with the shells on, I don’t de-vein them. Enjoy!!
Ellie Keller says
You didn’t specify whether to use thawed or frozen shrimp in this recipe? Please advise.
EverydayMaven says
Hi Ellie, I used thawed Shrimp! Enjoy 🙂
Katherine Martinelli says
I’ve never heard of outgrowing an allergy like that – amazing!!! These shrimp look just perfect. Love old bay!
EverydayMaven says
I know – I had never heard of it either and was (happily) shocked and surprised!
Linda says
I am curious as to the purpose of the vinegar in the mixture? I make Old Bay shrimp, but have never added vinegar. I like the idea of adding some Old Bay at the end of the cooking time to increase the flavor–haven’t tried that either, but I’m going to!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Linda, The vinegar helps the shrimp peel easier and enhances the flavor. Definitely toss them with some extra Old Bay – it’s the best!
carolina says
you had me at “shrimp”
yuuum
EverydayMaven says
Right? Yum! Enjoy Carolina:)
Laura says
One of my all time favorite appetizers or light meals. What a great boil recipe and cocktail sauce!
EverydayMaven says
Me too Laura! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
CJ at Food Stories says
OMG – I had no idea you could outgrow a shellfish allergy – Fantastic!
EverydayMaven says
Isn’t that amazing and awesome! A whole new food world available for him!
Joanne says
I’m still hoping I outgrow my dog allergies but no such luck just yet. Thankfully, I have no food allergies! So I’m i the clear to make this!
EverydayMaven says
Joanne – I hope you outgrow your dog allergy too! You never know! 🙂
Alison says
These sound fabulous!!! And I love the recipe for the cocktail sauce.
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Alison and thanks for stopping by!
Heather @girlichef says
Oh my gosh, YUM! I haven’t had this type of shrimp in years — and yes, now I’m totally in NEED of some, as well. How awesome that he outgrew that allergy – it’s like the clouds parted. Ha! Yum.
EverydayMaven says
Seriously Heather – it’s like a whole new world for him! You need to make some 🙂