Old Bay seasoning isn’t just about crab cakes…
There’s so much you can do with it, and one of our favorites is a quick shrimp boil to give those shellfish a special Maryland kick. Spicy boiled Old Bay shrimp is a simple recipe – very easy to make, quick from the kitchen to the plate. But don’t equate simple with flavorless.
No, Old Bay packs a ton of spice in that cannister. Take a look at Old Bay’s ingredients and you’ll get an idea of how much flavor we’re talking about here. From ginger to allspice, it’s a laundry list of spices that, together, create a highly-addictive taste. This is an excellent party recipe, whether it’s a summer barbecue or a game day celebration.
The paprika in Old Bay supplies the heat (and there’s just a little spiciness here), but you can turn things up a notch by pairing these shrimp with a spicy cocktail sauce. See our recipe here for a good option that uses Tabasco. Or, if you prefer a little smokiness with your spicy boiled Old Bay shrimp, take a look at this chipotle cocktail sauce recipe. Both are quick to whip up and perfectly pair pepper and horseradish spiciness.
Spicy Boiled Old Bay Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 pounds large uncooked shrimp unpeeled, with tails still on
- 1/4 cup Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups beer
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp and place to the side on paper towels to dry.
- In a large pot mix the water, beer, and Old Bay. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the shrimp, reduce the heat to medium-high, stir, and then cover for 4 minutes. Stir once half way through.
- Check the shrimp to see if they are pink. If they are. drain the shrimp and move them to a serving plate. If not, cook them until they are pink (typically 1 to 2 additional minutes).
- On the serving plate, sprinkle the shrimp with Old Bay and then serve with salsa, cocktail sauce, and/or lemons.