Frogmore stew, also known as Low Country boil, is a classic Southern dish that brings together shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes in a flavorful, hearty one-pot meal. Originally from the Low Country region of South Carolina, this dish is perfect for casual gatherings, cookouts, or any occasion that calls for a comforting, communal meal. It’s a fun, easy way to enjoy the flavors of the coast, with the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes.
The base of frogmore stew is a large pot of seasoned water or broth. The ingredients – usually small red potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, sausage (such as smoked sausage or kielbasa), and shrimp – are cooked together in the pot, each absorbing the bold flavors of the broth. The seasoning is key, with a mix of Old Bay seasoning, garlic, lemon, and sometimes a bit of hot sauce for an extra kick. The ingredients are added in stages to ensure everything is cooked perfectly – potatoes first, followed by sausage, corn, and finally shrimp.
The potatoes and sausage take a little longer to cook, while the shrimp cooks quickly and should be added last to avoid overcooking. The shrimp turns tender and juicy, while the potatoes soften to perfection, and the corn becomes sweet and succulent. Once everything is done, the entire pot is drained, and the contents are spread out on a large table, typically covered with newspaper or a tablecloth. The fun part of frogmore stew is that it’s often eaten family-style, with everyone digging in and enjoying the flavors together.
Frogmore stew is traditionally served with plenty of lemon wedges, melted butter, and maybe some hot sauce or cocktail sauce on the side for dipping. It’s a casual, hands-on dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings, backyard cookouts, or any time you want to bring a taste of the South to your table. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or enjoying a meal with family, frogmore stew offers a delicious, flavorful feast that’s sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 pound andouille sausage cut into slices
- 4 ears corn cut into halves
- 1 pound red potatoes quartered
- 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 1 lemon lemon sliced
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon slices to a boil.
- Add red potatoes to the pot and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Add the corn and sausage to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and continue cooking until shrimp are just done, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain the pot and serve all the ingredients on a large platter or directly on a table lined with newspaper.
Yum, I made this for a picnic and everyone loved it! Don’t skip the lemon, it really adds flavor!
This Frogmore Stew is absolutely delicious! The shrimp were cooked just right. A family favorite for sure.
I don’t know, the ingredients seem too mixed up. Why is there shrimp AND sausage? It seems wrong.
This is basically a seafood boil without the boil part 😅. Still tasty, but I’d add garlic, maybe some cayenne. 1/4 cup Old Bay felt a little intense.
Yum! Corn was perfect! Frogmore stew is the best! Who knew!
This recipe was amazing! I added some extra spices and it was a hit at my family dinner.
This looks good, but I don’t know about the shrimp. Can’t you just use chicken instead? 🤔
I’m so glad you liked it! Extra spices definitely make everything better. What did you add?
had no clue the Old Bay was key, turned out bland without it. Who knew? lol
Served it over newspaper like the directions… and yeah, it was messy but fun. Kids loved it. My kitchen smelled amazing.
Followed the timing pretty close and it came out perfect. Potatoes were tender but not mushy, shrimp stayed juicy. Old Bay is doing the heavy lifting (as it should).
Love hearing that! I swear Old Bay really is the MVP here. Did you drain and dump it all on a platter right away—mine always smells amazing the second the pot hits the table.
Sounds good, but “3-4 minutes” for shrimp always stresses me out 😅 I usually undercook by accident. Also, do you boil everything uncovered or cover the pot?
I don’t think this recipe works. My shrimp were overcooked and the potatoes took too long. Not sure I would try again.
Overcooked shrimp? Like how could that happen, it just takes a few minutes! I think you just didn’t time it well. 😂
I had a similar experience the first time I tried this. Just make sure to watch the shrimp closely, they cook really fast! Maybe try again? It’s so yummy if done right!
Made this for friends and it was gone fast. The Old Bay + lemon combo is legit. Next time I’ll add a bit more seasoning and maybe a splash of hot sauce.
Old Bay + lemon really is the cheat code. I do more Old Bay than the recipe too… like, it needs to be loud. Also newspaper? lol I’ve seen that but I’m still not sold. 😅
That’s awesome! Frogmore Stew disappears fast when the Old Bay’s dialed in 😄 Next time hot sauce is a great idea—what kind do you use?
This was ridiculously good—my whole kitchen smelled like a summer cookout. I added a pinch of cayenne just because, and it totally worked. Will make again for sure!
Easy recipe, love it! Just makes a mess when you eat with your hands. But who doesn’t love shrimp and corn! Worth it!
I totally agree! This is such a fun recipe to eat with friends. Just be ready for the chaos! 😂
I ain’t never heard of frogmore stew but I gave it a shot. It was decent but shrimp took too long and my potatoes were still hard. Think I need more practice in the kitchen.
Is it really Frogmore stew if there are no frogs? 😂 But honestly, I still enjoyed it, it was delicious.
This is the best stew I’ve ever made. So much flavor and so easy! Who doesn’t love eating off the table? 😂
This stew looks amazing! I’ll definitely give it a try! 😊
I’m a bit skeptical about the lemon in this. Can’t lemon make shrimp taste funny? Either way, gonna try it!
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. The shrimp turned out rubbery and the potatoes were undercooked.
This was a hit at our family dinner! Everyone loved it, and I can’t believe how easy it was. Definitely making this again!
Glad to hear it was a hit! I love easy recipes that taste great! 😄
Not bad, but mine was kinda salty and the broth didn’t taste balanced. I think I should’ve added the shrimp later or used less seasoning.