The Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is a simplified take on the traditional Southern classic, packed with bold Old Bay seasoning and oven-roasted to perfection. With juicy shrimp, smoky Andouille sausage, sweet corn, and buttery baby potatoes, every bite delivers comfort and flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this one-pan wonder is easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just need a hearty, satisfying meal in under 40 minutes, this dish will become a go-to in your dinner rotation.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
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12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
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1 pound baby potatoes, halved
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3 ears corn, cut into thirds
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
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1 lemon, sliced
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Optional: melted butter for serving
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside.
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On a large sheet pan, combine parboiled potatoes, corn, shrimp, and sausage.
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Drizzle olive oil over the mixture. Sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
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Spread ingredients out evenly on the sheet pan. Top with lemon slices.
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Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the vegetables are slightly browned.
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Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with melted butter on the side if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Southern Classic with a Modern Twist
If you love the bold, comforting flavors of a traditional shrimp boil but dread the time, mess, and cleanup of a full-on outdoor cookout, you’re in for a treat. The Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil takes everything you love about this Southern staple succulent shrimp, smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and sweet corn and simplifies it into a one-pan, oven-baked meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
This dish isn’t just convenient; it’s loaded with personality, heritage, and the kind of flavor that makes you go back for seconds (and maybe thirds). It’s no wonder this simplified version has made its way into kitchens across the country.
The Origins of Shrimp Boil Traditions
To understand the beauty of the sheet pan version, it helps to know where the original shrimp boil comes from. Popular across the coastal South, especially in states like Louisiana, South Carolina, and Georgia, a traditional shrimp boil (also known as a Low Country Boil or Frogmore Stew) is a community-centered event. The ingredients shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and sometimes crab or crawfish are boiled in large outdoor pots seasoned heavily with spices like Old Bay or Cajun blends.
It’s not just a dish; it’s an experience. After boiling, the food is often drained and poured directly onto a newspaper-lined table where friends and family gather, eat with their hands, and share in laughter, music, and a cold drink.
The sheet pan adaptation pays homage to this experience while offering a practical way to enjoy it indoors with fewer guests and a lot less mess.
Why Use a Sheet Pan?
Sheet pan meals have become a favorite among home cooks for good reason they’re fast, efficient, and require minimal cleanup. Everything cooks together, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. With the Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil, you still get the contrast of textures and spices, but instead of boiling the ingredients, roasting them in the oven enhances their natural sweetness and creates slight caramelization that elevates the dish.
Roasting also means the shrimp stay juicy without becoming waterlogged, the sausage gets perfectly browned, and the potatoes and corn develop a delicious, slightly crispy edge. It’s a flavor-packed evolution of the classic.
Ingredient Harmony: What Makes This Dish Special?
At the heart of the shrimp boil is balance between sweet and spicy, smoky and fresh, soft and crisp. Here’s how the main components contribute to that harmony:
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Shrimp: Tender, sweet, and quick to cook, shrimp take on seasoning exceptionally well and offer a burst of ocean flavor.
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Andouille Sausage: This smoked sausage adds a bold, slightly spicy kick that contrasts beautifully with the shrimp and veggies.
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Baby Potatoes: These serve as the hearty foundation, soaking up seasoning and adding creamy texture.
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Corn on the Cob: Sweet and juicy, roasted corn adds a natural sweetness that balances the spices.
All of these elements are tied together with Old Bay seasoning, a signature spice blend with celery salt, paprika, mustard, and pepper that adds a classic kick. A drizzle of olive oil helps the ingredients roast evenly and absorb all those great flavors.
Customizing Your Shrimp Boil
One of the best things about this recipe is how customizable it is. Depending on your taste, dietary needs, or pantry availability, you can easily tweak it while keeping the spirit of the dish intact.
Protein Swaps
Not a fan of shrimp? Try:
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Chunks of white fish like cod or tilapia
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Chicken sausage for a lighter option
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Vegan sausage for a plant-based version
Veggie Variations
Want to get more veggies in? Add:
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Sliced zucchini
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Bell peppers
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Red onion wedges
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Asparagus (added halfway through baking)
Spice It Up (or Down)
If you like it hot, add some cayenne pepper or chili flakes before roasting. For a milder version, reduce the seasoning or use a blend like lemon pepper for a zesty but mild flavor.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Presentation matters even for rustic meals. Serve your shrimp boil straight from the pan on the dinner table for a casual, communal feel. Add a side of melted butter, lemon wedges, and maybe even a small dish of garlic aioli or remoulade for dipping.
For drinks, pair it with:
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A cold beer (a crisp lager or wheat beer works great)
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Iced tea with lemon
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A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc
You can also make this part of a larger seafood-themed dinner by pairing it with coleslaw, cornbread, or even clam chowder as a starter.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Shrimp are delicate and can become rubbery if overcooked during reheating. Here’s how to handle leftovers:
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Storage: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: For best results, reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. You can also use a skillet with a splash of water or butter to warm everything up without drying it out.
Freezing isn’t ideal because the texture of the shrimp and potatoes can suffer, but the sausage and corn will hold up better if you decide to freeze portions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re someone who:
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Loves shrimp
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Wants a comforting, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen
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Enjoys bold, Southern-inspired flavors
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Hates doing dishes
…then this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is going to be a game-changer.
It checks all the boxes for weeknight convenience, special occasion appeal, and meal-prep practicality. You don’t have to be a culinary expert to pull it off, but the result looks and tastes like something you’d order from a coastal seafood shack.
Conclusion:
The Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil manages to be both nostalgic and new, traditional yet trendy. It captures the heart and soul of a classic Southern gathering and brings it into your kitchen in a format that’s accessible for busy modern life. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a casual party, or just treating yourself to something special midweek, this dish delivers flavor, ease, and Southern comfort in every bite.