Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

I discovered this recipe when I was craving a shrimp boil but living in a tiny apartment with no space for the traditional setup. Turns out you can get all those amazing flavors by roasting everything on a sheet pan instead of boiling it in a huge pot. My Louisiana-born friend was horrified at first, but even she admitted it tastes pretty darn good and is way less messy than the real deal.

My neighbor saw me carrying groceries and asked what I was making for dinner. When I told her sheet pan shrimp boil, she looked confused and said "that's not how you make shrimp boil." But she showed up at my door twenty minutes after dinner smelling the garlic and butter, so I guess it worked out.

What You'll Need

• Small potatoes - The baby ones work best because they cook evenly and get crispy
• Fresh corn - Cut into pieces so it's easier to eat and fits on the pan
• Good shrimp - Already peeled saves so much time and frustration
• Andouille sausage - This gives it that authentic smoky flavor you need
• Old Bay seasoning - Can't make shrimp boil without it, don't even try to substitute

Pin it

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get the potatoes started

Boil the potatoes until they're tender but not falling apart, about ten minutes or so. Add the corn pieces for the last five minutes. This gives them a head start since they take longer to cook than everything else.

Make the butter mixture

Melt butter and mix in minced garlic and Old Bay until it's all combined. This is what makes everything taste amazing, so don't skimp on the seasoning. The smell alone will make your kitchen smell incredible.

Arrange on the pan

Spread everything - potatoes, corn, shrimp, and sliced sausage - on your biggest sheet pan. Don't pile it up or it won't cook right. Everything needs space to get those nice roasted edges.

Season everything

Pour that butter mixture over everything and toss it around with your hands until every piece is coated. Get messy with it - that's half the fun of shrimp boil anyway.

Into the oven

Roast at 400 degrees for about twelve to fifteen minutes. Keep an eye on the shrimp because they go from perfect to rubber really fast. Everything should be golden and the shrimp should be pink when it's done.

I made this wrong the first few times because I thought I could just throw everything on the pan together. The shrimp were perfect and the potatoes were still crunchy. Now I always give the potatoes their head start and everything comes out right.

What Goes With It

This is pretty much dinner by itself, but some crusty bread is nice for soaking up all that seasoned butter. A simple salad helps if you want something fresh and light alongside all the richness. Cold beer is traditional, but iced sweet tea works great too.

Ways to Change It

Add some bell pepper strips if you want more vegetables. Throw in jalapeño slices if you like heat. During crawfish season, you can mix in some crawfish tails with the shrimp. If you can't find andouille, kielbasa works okay, though it tastes different.

Getting Ready Ahead

You can boil the potatoes and corn earlier in the day and just reheat everything when you're ready. The actual oven time is so short that it's perfect when you have people coming over. Just arrange everything, season it, and pop it in while everyone's having drinks.

Pin it

This sheet pan version has become our regular way to make shrimp boil because it's so much easier than the traditional method but still gives you all those great flavors. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that take something complicated and make it simple enough to do any night of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do I need to parboil the potatoes first?

Potatoes take much longer to cook than shrimp, so parboiling them ensures everything finishes cooking at the same time. Otherwise, you'd have raw potatoes and overcooked shrimp!

→ Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before using. Frozen shrimp can release extra water and make your sheet pan soggy.

→ What can I substitute for Old Bay seasoning?

You can make your own blend with paprika, celery seed, bay leaves, mustard seed, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Cajun seasoning also works as a substitute.

→ How do I know when the shrimp are done?

Shrimp cook very quickly and are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque. They'll curl up slightly too. Don't overcook them or they'll get rubbery.

→ Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Sure! Bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms would work great. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and add them with the other ingredients on the sheet pan.