Get ready to fall in love with the flavors and fun of an Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil! Imagine a summery feast where smoky sausage, sweet shrimp, baby potatoes, and fresh corn mingle together in perfectly seasoned foil packets right on your grill. This recipe turns the classic shrimp boil into a backyard meal that’s ridiculously simple, ultra flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. From the zesty kick of Old Bay to the juicy pop of shrimp, every bite brings a smile—and nobody has to fuss in the kitchen for hours! If you’re searching for a fast, festive way to bring folks together, this one is a straight-up winner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of straightforward ingredients to create a dinner that looks and tastes like a celebration. Each component plays a unique role, adding flavor, color, and texture to every forkful. Let’s break down exactly what you’ll need, along with some quick pro tips!
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined, with tails left on for easier eating and a beautiful presentation.
- Smoked sausage: Sliced into rounds; the smoky flavor brings depth and heartiness to the boil.
- Baby red potatoes: Halved so they cook quickly while staying tender and creamy.
- Corn on the cob: Cut into thirds for perfect, portable bites that absorb all those great seasonings.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and adds lovely richness to each packet.
- Old Bay seasoning: The classic seafood spice blend—the soul of any good shrimp boil.
- Garlic powder: Adds a gentle kick and deeper savory notes.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a subtle smokiness and vibrant color.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential basics to balance and enhance the other flavors.
- Chopped fresh parsley & lemon wedges: For serving; they add a burst of freshness and brightness at the end.
- Heavy-duty foil: Your secret weapon for easy cooking and cleanup!
How to Make Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil
Step 1: Boil the Potatoes
Start by giving your baby red potatoes a head start on the stove. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the potato halves, and let them cook for about 10 minutes until just fork-tender. This ensures they’ll finish perfectly on the grill without being undercooked or mushy.
Step 2: Toss Everything Together
In a roomy mixing bowl, combine your peeled shrimp, smoky sausage rounds, boiled potatoes, and corn pieces. Drizzle everything with olive oil, then shower it with Old Bay, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Get in there and toss—make sure every single bite is beautifully coated in spice and oil.
Step 3: Assemble Foil Packets
Lay out four large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Divide the shrimp, sausage, potato, and corn mixture evenly among them. To make it extra luxurious, pop a small pat of butter on top if you like! Fold the sides of each foil sheet up and crimp tightly so the packets are sealed and nothing leaks.
Step 4: Grill the Packets
Place your foil packets on a preheated grill set to medium-high. Close the lid and let them cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once at the halfway mark. When the shrimp turn pink and opaque and the sausage sizzles, you’re ready.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Use tongs to carefully open your packets—watch for hot steam! Sprinkle everything with lots of fresh chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges for zesty finishing flavor. Dive in with your favorite folks and enjoy right from the foil for maximum fun.
How to Serve Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil
Garnishes
A generous scatter of fresh parsley goes a long way, adding a pop of color and herbal brightness. Don’t skip the juicy lemon wedges; a quick squeeze over the warm boil lifts all the savory flavors and ties the meal together beautifully.
Side Dishes
There’s something satisfying about tearing into a piece of crusty bread to soak up all those smoky, buttery juices. Or, pair your Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil with a crisp summer salad or cool coleslaw for something refreshing and light alongside the main event.
Creative Ways to Present
Keep it casual by serving each foil packet straight from the grill—no plates required! For a crowd, dump the contents onto a newspaper-lined tray or giant platter in the middle of the table, low country boil style. The colorful mix is always a showstopper. Feeling fancy? Serve each packet opened up on individual plates with extra lemon wedges and parsley for a bistro-inspired look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you wind up with leftovers, transfer the shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days, and the flavors only get bolder overnight.
Freezing
For longer storage, skip freezing the potatoes, which can get mushy, but shrimp and sausage freeze fairly well. Cool leftovers completely, tuck them into freezer-safe bags, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To bring everything back to life, spread your leftovers out on a foil-lined baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 7 to 10 minutes until heated through. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon and extra parsley for that just-grilled vibe.
FAQs
Can I bake the Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil in the oven instead of grilling?
Absolutely! Place the sealed foil packets on a large baking sheet and bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes. They’ll come out just as juicy and flavorful.
What size shrimp should I use?
Large shrimp (16–20 count per pound) are perfect for this recipe, as they stay nice and tender on the grill. If you use smaller shrimp, just keep an eye on the cook time so they don’t overcook.
Can I add other seafood to my Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil?
Go for it! Scallops or chunks of firm white fish work beautifully; just ensure all your seafood is roughly the same size for even cooking. Avoid delicate fish like tilapia, which can fall apart in the foil.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
Great news: the recipe is naturally dairy-free as written, as long as you skip the optional butter. Olive oil provides all the richness you’ll need in your Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil foil packets!
Can I prep the packets ahead and grill later?
Yes, you can assemble your foil packets several hours in advance and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to grill. This makes them ideal for picnics, parties, or busy weeknights—you’ll have dinner ready in a flash.
Final Thoughts
If a meal could capture the joy of summer in every bite, this Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil would be it. I hope you find as much happiness sharing it with friends and family as I do. Fire up your grill, gather your crew, and treat yourselves to some backyard magic—it doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this!
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Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil is a simple and flavorful summer meal cooked in foil packets on the grill. Juicy shrimp, smoked sausage, tender potatoes, and sweet corn are seasoned with Old Bay and grilled to perfection. Easy cleanup and bursting with delicious flavors!
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on)
Smoked Sausage:
- 12 ounces smoked sausage (sliced into ½-inch rounds)
Baby Red Potatoes:
- 1 pound baby red potatoes (halved)
Corn:
- 2 ears corn (cut into thirds)
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional:
- Chopped parsley and lemon wedges (for serving)
- Heavy-duty foil
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Boil Potatoes: Boil halved baby potatoes for 10 minutes until fork-tender, then drain.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine shrimp, sausage, boiled potatoes, and corn. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and toss to coat.
- Prepare Foil Packets: Divide mixture among 4 foil sheets, seal into packets, and place on grill.
- Grill: Cook packets for 10–12 minutes, flipping once, until shrimp are cooked.
- Serve: Open packets, garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Add butter for extra richness.
- Prepare packets ahead and refrigerate.
- Serve with bread or salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 foil packet
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
