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.
This stew reminds me of summer BBQs. Love it! Just wish I had more corn to add.
I tried to serve it on newspaper like the instructions, but my partner was like “absolutely not.” 😅 Served in bowls instead and it was still great.
Haha your partner sounds like a realist 😄 Bowls definitely make it easier. Newspaper is fun for the vibe, but not great for practicality. Glad it still turned out great!
Not a fan of the shrimp. Maybe if I substitute it with chicken? 🤔
Chicken would be fine too! Just make sure you adjust the cooking time, it needs a bit longer than shrimp. 😊
So good!!!🤤 Perfect for summer cookouts — everyone loved it! Will make again.
This recipe is a total hit at my family gatherings! The shrimp was perfectly juicy and the seasoning just right. Will definitely make again!
Sounds good, but what if I don’t have Old Bay? Can I use something else? Asking for a friend!
I can’t wait to try this! My fam loves shrimp. Thanks for sharing your experience!
So good and easy to make! My kids loved it, will def do this again!
This sounds amazing! I’m going to try it for my family this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Made this for a summer cookout and it was gone fast. The Old Bay + lemon combo is perfect—really brightens the whole pot.
Yes!! Old Bay + lemon is such a good move. I made this last weekend and my whole crew went back for seconds—those flavors really pop.
I liked it, but I think 1/4 cup Old Bay might be a bit much for smaller pots. I added a little extra water and it was better. Also, newspaper table? Kinda messy lol.
The Old Bay amount seems like a lot? I did 1/4 cup exactly and it was strong but in a good way. Next time I might try 2–3 tbsp depending on how spicy your Old Bay hits.
Good idea with lemon slices, but I think 1/4 cup Old Bay is a lot for my taste. Next time I’ll start with maybe 2-3 tablespoons and adjust.
I’m not a fan of shrimp, so I substituted with chicken, and it turned out fine.
Frogmore stew? More like Frogmore goo! Didn’t like it at all. Maybe I’m just not a seafood fan. 😣
Love the simplicity. The lemon in the water adds a nice bright flavor. I used a little extra Old Bay just because—no regrets.
This stew was amazing! The flavors were so rich and perfect. Definitely a repeat meal!
Yummy stew! But I used chicken sausage instead of andouille cuz I can’t find it where I live. Still came out good!
Also, doesn’t it seem weird to serve food on newspaper? Messy.
I followed the timing pretty closely and the shrimp came out juicy, not rubbery. Big win for me because shrimp usually ruins on me.
This turned out so flavorful! The Old Bay + lemon combo is doing the heavy lifting. I cooked the potatoes a tiny bit longer and it was perfect with the shrimp.
I thought we were having frog legs??? why stew with shrimp?? confused…
This is a classic Frogmore Stew, it’s not all about frog legs! It’s delicious with shrimp, trust me!
I thought frog legs too but shrimp is more common in this stew. Don’t worry, it still tastes great!
This was amazing! So flavorful and perfect for summer parties. Will definitely make again!
Easy to make & delicious! Only problem is my shrimp ended up overcooked but still yummy!
Cooked it exactly as written and the potatoes were perfect, but I wish the corn had more time—mine was kinda firm. Maybe boil longer or cut smaller.
Not a fan of the “newspaper on the table” idea 😂. Food was good though—corn got sweet and the potatoes absorbed the seasoning nicely.
I get what you mean about the newspaper 😂. I usually just put it on a big parchment-lined tray—same vibe, less “why is that paper there” energy. Glad the flavors worked for you!
Meh, I didn’t really get the flavor. Maybe it’s just me, but not for my taste.
I totally get it! Frogmore Stew can be hit or miss depending on your taste buds. Give it another shot with some hot sauce maybe?
Nah, it’s not you. My friend tried it and said it was bland too. Maybe needs more spices or something?
This recipe is wrong! Shrimp only need 2 minutes! Why would you cook them longer?
Actually, if you follow the recipe, cooking shrimp for 3-4 minutes is just right. They taste better that way, trust me!
Eh, it was alright. Just kinda tasted like Old Bay and shrimp. Not my favorite!
I really love Frogmore Stew! The Old Bay gives it a nice kick. Maybe you just didn’t use enough seasoning?
I guess it’s not for everyone. I think it’s the shrimp that make it great, but what do I know? 🤷♂️
good stew but where i live we call it low country boil?? idk, what’s the difference?
I’ve heard of low country boil too! It’s similar but might have different ingredients depending on where you’re from. This stew is delicious!
This was AMAZING! The flavors were perfectly balanced and the shrimp was so juicy.
So easy to make! I made this for a family gathering, and everyone cleaned their plates.
I dunno, looks kinda messy to me. Not sure if my family would eat it. Maybe next time I’ll stick to spaghetti.
Sounds delicious! I’ve been wanting to try Frogmore Stew, now I definitely will. Thanks for sharing!
Tried this for a backyard boil and it was a hit—super flavorful and the Old Bay really comes through. The shrimp timing tip saved me from overcooking.
I tried it but my corn wasn’t cooked enough after 10 minutes 😕 maybe my pot wasn’t boiling hard. Also I used 1/4 cup Old Bay but it felt a little too salty—next time I’ll cut back. Still tasty though!
Yes!! Made this last weekend and the Old Bay really does steal the show. I also loved that the shrimp doesn’t get rubbery—your timing tip is legit. Great for parties too.
No way, too much Old Bay! Gave my kids too much spice. We couldn’t even eat it right.
This dish was amazing! The flavors were out of this world. Will make again!
I agree! This is my go-to dish for summer parties. So good!
Not sure about this dish… shrimp can be weird sometimes. I don’t really get the hype.
I love Frogmore Stew! It’s so fun to eat on newspaper, feels like a picnic!
I don’t get why it’s called Frogmore Stew if it’s basically just boiled stuff. Like… yeah it’s good, but not magical. 😂
I like the simplicity, but I wish it had more guidance on how salty it gets. I used 1/4 cup as written and it was kinda intense, still tasty though.
Good to know! Yeah Old Bay can be *wild*—I usually start with 2–3 tbsp and then add more to taste. Did you use salted sausage too or just plain andouille?
Honestly 1/4 cup seems like a lot. Mine was way too salty too 😅 I think the recipe needs a note like “start smaller.” Next time I’m using less Old Bay and adding lemon juice. Maybe that helps?
I followed it exactly and my potatoes were still a little firm at 15 minutes. Maybe my pot runs cold? I ended up adding 5 more minutes and it fixed it.
Old Bay in boiling water??? My grandmother would’ve roasted me for that, lol. But honestly it works—very seasoned and comforting.
Totally agree—boiling it with Old Bay makes everything taste like it’s been simmering in flavor. I’d never skip the lemon either.
I don’t know, it was alright but I’ve had better stews before. Maybe too much lemon?
I didn’t have andouille so I used smoked sausage, and it still worked. Wouldn’t say it’s “exactly” Frogmore Stew but it was tasty and comforting.
Shrimp got rubbery for me. I guess 3-4 minutes depends on the size, because mine were larger. I’d recommend pulling them as soon as they curl!
Yes!! Pulling them as soon as they curl is the key. I did 5 minutes once and they turned all rubbery too.
I tried it and my shrimp turned out kinda chewy. I think I left it in the pot too long because my water never really boiled hard.
I made this and my shrimp turned rubbery. I think I left it in too long after it started simmering. Flavor is good though, so I’ll try again carefully.
Yeah shrimp can go rubbery fast—3–4 minutes is the window, but it also depends on how hot your simmer is. If it’s more like a boil than a gentle simmer, pull them sooner (like 2–3). Glad the flavor worked out though—Frogmore stew is worth the retry!
Maybe you boiled the shrimp too hard. I usually add shrimp at the very end and turn the heat off as soon as they go pink. Also don’t leave it sitting in the hot pot after cooking—shrimp keep cooking in the residual heat. Next time you’ll nail it 😅
Okay, so the “newspaper” line freaked me out a bit. I used foil instead and felt safer. Flavor was great though—just don’t serve it on actual newspaper, please.
Not bad at all, but I was expecting “more stew” vibes. It’s more like a seafood boil situation—still tasty though.
Why do you put lemon in a stew? I think that’s a weird combo. Stick to salt!
Too much work for just some shrimp and sausage! Next time I stick with hot dogs.✌️
I get where you’re coming from! But trust me, it’s worth the effort. The flavors are amazing! 😋
Hot dogs? Really? This is like way better than hot dogs! Just give it a shot, man.
Frogmore stew reminds me of summer BBQs! You nailed it with this recipe! 😋
The instructions say drain the pot—do you mean drain all the liquid completely? Mine dried out a bit on the platter. Still good, just not as saucy.
This is the definition of comfort food. The Old Bay + lemon combo is 🔥. I did the shrimp for just 3 minutes and they stayed perfectly juicy.
Yesss! Old Bay + lemon is such a perfect combo. And 3 minutes for the shrimp is exactly right—nothing worse than rubbery shrimp 😅
I tried something like this once but I think I over-boiled the potatoes cuz mine got kinda mushy. Still tasted good tho. Does 15 min always work or depends on the potato size?
The instructions say drain the pot—mine had a ton of liquid so draining was messy. Next time I’ll use a colander or cook a little longer so it reduces.
I don’t know why you’d use Old Bay seasoning. Isn’t that for crabs? Not a fan of this, sorry. 😕
Super easy and delicious! I used frozen shrimp and it still turned out great.