• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Honeybunch Hunts
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Fish and Seafood

    Old Bay Shrimp Boil

    Published: Apr 30, 2020 · Modified: Dec 1, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Sharing is caring!

    1780 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jumbo shrimp is boiled with Old Bay Seasoning with apple cider vinegar and water. This delicious appetizer infuses the shrimp with flavor as it simmers and is delicious on it's own or with your favorite dipping sauce.
    pinnable image for shrimp boil.
    Pin image for Old Bay Boiled Shrimp recipe.

    This Old Bay Shrimp Boil recipe is a delicious seafood appetizer simmered in a pot with old bay seasoning and vinegar. Serve it warm or cold to family and friends in a large serving bowl alongside a serving of homemade shrimp cocktail sauce.

    Boiled Shrimp

    Boiled Shrimp is perfect for summer gatherings and tailgate parties! It is packed with 23g of protein and 2g of fat per serving, making it a nutritious shrimp recipe to serve your family and friends.

    Jump to:
    • 5 Minute Seafood Boil
    • How To Know Your Fresh Shrimp Is Fresh
    • Ingredients for Boiled Shrimp
    • 🔪 How to Boil Shrimp in Old Bay
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍽 Serve with...
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    5 Minute Seafood Boil

    Shrimp cooks very quickly. So, once the vinegar, water, and seasoning has come to a boil, the shrimp is added to the boiling water and simmer over medium heat until the shrimp have turned pink.

    It shouldn't take any longer than 3 minutes for the shrimp to be ready. Once the shrimp has turned pink, remove it from the solution. Allowing the shrimp to cook longer than it should will cause it to be rubbery.

    Raw shrimp in a colander.

    How To Know Your Fresh Shrimp Is Fresh

    • Fresh shrimp is usually found with the heads still attached. When shrimp are frozen, the heads are removed to prevent a mushy texture.
    • Fresh shrimp will not have a fishy smell. It should smell like saltwater, or the sea.
    • Press a finger into the shrimp. If it is plump and bounces back, it is fresh.
    Old Bay Shrimp Boil on a black serving platter with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

    Ingredients for Boiled Shrimp

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    When making an old bay shrimp boil you can use either Raw peeled shrimp or Whole Shrimp with the peels on. Raw jumbo shrimp, that is peeled and deveined with tails on is how I like to make this recipe. I leave the tails on so those I am serving can just pick the shrimp up by the tail to eat them as a finger food.

    Old Bay Seasoning is one of my favorite ways to season seafood. It is a mixture of celery salt, black pepper, red pepper, and paprika.

    Apple Cider Vinegar, enhances the flavor of the shrimp.

    Water

    Shrimp cooked in old bay seasoning in a yellow storage bowl.

    🔪 How to Boil Shrimp in Old Bay

    Step 1:

    1. Rinse and peel the shells from the shrimp, leaving the tails intact.

    Step 2:

    1. Add the water, cider vinegar, and old bay seasoning to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
    2. Add the shrimp to the boiling water solution and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and is no longer opaque.

    Step 3:

    1. Drain cooking liquid from the shrimp and allow to cool.
    2. Pour contents of pot onto a large platter and garnish with lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and sprinkle with additional old bay seasoning if desired.
    3. Chill until ready to serve.

    🥄 Equipment

    Large Pot

    Colander

    Slotted Spoon

    💭 Top Tips

    • If using frozen shrimp, thaw it quickly, by placing the shrimp in a colander and run it under cold water for 5 minutes, or until thawed. 
    • For minimal prep time, buy raw, unfrozen shrimp that is already shelled and deveined. 
    • To serve the shrimp with shell on, be sure to buy raw shrimp with the shell split and deveined.
    dipping shrimp into cocktail sauce

    📖 Variations

    • Substitute a cajun seasoning for the old bay seasoning
    • Substitute beer or seafood broth for the apple cider vinegar
    • Use 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 bay leaf in place of the old bay seasoning.
    • Increase the amount of liquid and substitute the shrimp with crab or langostinos.

    🍽 Serve with...

    • Make this a meal and serve the shrimp boil with roasted medium red potatoes, grilled andouille sausage or smoked sausage, fresh corn on the cob cut into 2-inch pieces, and grilled large onions.
    • Serve with a side dish of melted butter, lemon juice, and/or Homemade Cocktail Sauce.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Seafood Lasagna with Old Bay Alfredo Sauce is pure comfort food for seafood lovers.

    Spicy and creamy, Cajun Shrimp with Creamy Creole Sauce is bursting with flavor.

    Everyone loves these Easy Shrimp Tacos.

    For take out at home, try this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe.


    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @honeybunchhunts or #honeybunchhunts so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    Old Bay Shrimp Boil

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    Jumbo shrimp is boiled with Old Bay Seasoning with apple cider vinegar and water. This delicious appetizer infuses the shrimp with flavor as it simmers and is delicious on it's own or with your favorite dipping sauce.
    4.20 from 65 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Fish Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 123 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound shrimp , raw, jumbo size preferred
    • ½ cup water
    • ¼ cup cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
    • 1 Lemon , cut into wedges, optional

    Instructions
     

    Step 1:

    • Rinse and peel the shells from the shrimp, leaving the tails intact.

    Step 2:

    • Add the water, cider vinegar, and old bay seasoning to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
    • Add the shrimp to the boiling water solution and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and is no longer opaque.

    Step 3:

    • Drain cooking liquid from the shrimp and allow to cool.
    • Pour contents of pot onto a large platter and garnish with lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and sprinkle with additional old bay seasoning if desired.
    • Chill until ready to serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 23gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 286mgSodium: 884mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Old Bay Shrimp Boil
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Eggroll in a Bowl with Ground Venison
    16 Rhubarb Recipes you must try »

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Honeybunch Hunts is a website dedicated to sharing canning and dehydrating recipes, wild game recipes, fish, seafood, plant based recipes, and some DIY scattered in between. Written by Shelby Law Ruttan, is also author and owner of Grumpy’s Honeybunch, and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. Shelby has also authored two cookbooks, The One Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Shelby, author of Honeybunch Hunts. I grew up with self sustaining parents and enjoyed the fruits of their harvest. This website is dedicated to recipes to preserve that harvest, and how to be self sustainable along....

    More about me →

    Fall Favorites

    • Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
    • Instant Pot Turkey Lentil Soup
    • Cheesy Dip for Chips
    • French Toast Muffins Made With Croissants
    • Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Almond Icing
    • Zucchini Lasagna with Italian Sausage

    What's Hot this Month

    • Oven Baked Haddock Recipe
    • Homemade Salsa for Canning
    • Crisp Sweet Pickle Recipe - 7 Day Pickles
    • Old Bay Shrimp Boil
    • Air Fryer Steak Bites with Venison Tenderloin
    • Wingstop Garlic Parmesan Wings
    • Cajun Shrimp with Creamy Creole Sauce
    • Boiled Ham Dinner - Instant Pot Recipe
    Homemade Salsa for Canning
    Keto Fried Fish Sticks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Join my Recipe Club!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme