Instant Pot Low Country Southern Shrimp Boil
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A Southern shrimp boil is a summertime, soul-satisfying feast that’s as much about the vibe as it is about the flavor. We’re talking bold Cajun seasoning, tender potatoes, sweet corn on the cob, smoky sausage, and juicy shrimp, all boiled up in one big pot and poured out over newspaper for folks to dig in with their fingers and plenty of napkins. It’s a communal celebration of coastal goodness, often washed down with cold beer or sweet tea.
But here’s the twist… You don’t need a giant outdoor pot or all day to pull it off. The Instant Pot brings that low-country boil magic indoors, slashes your cook time, and locks in all that spicy, savory flavor!
Low country shrimp boil in the Instant Pot
A low-country boil is a Southern Louisiana tradition of boiling seafood like plump shrimp, sometimes a few crab legs or clams, bubbling away with smoky sausage, sweet corn on the cob, and tender potatoes, all seasoned with bold Cajun spice and a squeeze of lemon for good measure.
Traditionally, this was an hours-long stovetop affair, slow-simmered in a big ol’ pot over an open flame or backyard burner. But now? The Instant Pot brings that backyard boil flavor indoors, cutting down the time without cutting out any of the soul.
It turns what used to be an all-day cooking event into a quick and easy weeknight meal, locking in all those rich spices and juicy textures in a fraction of the time. That’s Southern hospitality with a modern twist—fast, flavorful, and still full of heart.
Ingredients
Let’s break down the star-studded lineup of an Instant Pot low country boil, because every bite tells a story, and this dish is a soulful symphony of Southern comfort and coastal flavor.
The headliner is the big, juicy shrimp that soak up all those spicy and buttery flavors like little seafood sponges. The sliced sausage is the smoky, savory backbone. Andouille brings that classic Cajun kick, bold, peppery, and rich, while kielbasa gives a milder, juicy chew. Sweet and starchy, corn brings a pop of sunshine to the boil. The baby potatoes absorb every bit of Old Bay and Cajun spice while holding their shape.
How to do a shrimp boil in the Instant Pot
And thanks to the Instant Pot, all the ingredients in the pot get real cozy real fast! The pressure locks in flavor like a Louisiana hug. Intense, warm, and unforgettable. It’s the same down-home soul, made weeknight-easy.
- Add the water and all the ingredients to the pot, setting aside the garlic, butter, and shrimp.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the potatoes are submerged, and then pressure cook.
- Remove the lid and add the shrimp when the cooking time is finished, allowing the residual heat inside to cook them.
- Then add more Old Bay and melted garlic butter to the pot, and serve and enjoy!
How long does it take to do a shrimp boil in the Instant Pot?
The difference is a game-changer: 8 minutes instead of 2 hours to overnight! The Instant Pot reduces the cooking time by hours, while retaining all the flavor and soul of the original method.
It’s the perfect shortcut when you want that low-country goodness fast, without sacrificing a single seasoned bite or the slow-simmered taste, also, without heating up the kitchen or babysitting the pot.
What else can you add to a low-country shrimp boil?
Want to add optional ingredients like crab legs, crawfish, or baby clams? Say word! It’s an easy upgrade that takes your boil from delicious to downright legendary!
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound shrimp large or jumbo – peeled and deveined, thawed or frozen, and tails on if you’re keeping it traditional!
- 13 oz smoked sausage cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ pound baby potatoes small-medium red or golden potatoes
- 3 corn on the cob cut into thirds (fresh or frozen corn)
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seafood seasoning Liquid Shrimp and Crab Boil Seasoning
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning divided – 3½ teaspoons and ½ teaspoon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme 6-8 sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Place the water, sausage, potatoes, and corn in the Instant Pot's stainless steel inner pot, ensuring the potatoes are fully submerged in the water.
- Add the liquid shrimp & crab boil seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, and 3 ½ teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the vent is in the sealing position – up) and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- When the 8 minutes is up, open the Instant Pot lid with a manual/quick release of the remaining pressure.
- Remove lid and add the shrimp. If needed, you can take the corn out to make room for the shrimp.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning on the shrimp.
- Replace the Instant Pot lid and keep the Instant Pot on the ‘keep warm’ setting.
- Let the residual heat inside the book cook the shrimp for about 5 minutes.
- Open the Instant Pot lid, and if desired, sprinkle more Old Bay onto the shrimp boil.
- Place the butter and garlic powder in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 45 seconds, or until the butter has melted. Serve the melted garlic butter on the side for dipping, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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Oh my! This recipe is mouthwatering!
So happy you agree! It’s one of my seafood favorites!