Name: Instant Pot Low Country Boil
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 3 ears corn (cut in half); 4-6 red potatoes (quartered); 1 large sweet onion (cut into eighths); 4 links Andouille sausage (cut into 4 pieces on the bias); 1 cup chicken broth; 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder); 1/2 lemon (plus extra for serving); 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning (plus extra for serving); 4 cups extra large raw shrimp (shelled and deveined is easier, but use whatever is your preference); 1/2 cup butter (melted); chopped parsley (for serving (optional))

Instant Pot Low Country Boil is a beautiful, festive meal for any occasion. This easy recipe costs a fraction of the price you’d pay in a restaurant. Feel free to add additional seafood like crab or crawfish.

WHAT IS A LOW COUNTRY BOIL?

The low country boil lies at the heart of Southern culture. “Lowcountry” is actually a place: the whole southern coastal region of South Carolina.

See it on the cover??

This recipe is featured in my new cookbook, Cooking for One.

i love my Instant Pot cooking for one cookbook — see it on the cover??

This recipe is featured in my new cookbook, Cooking for One.

WHAT IS FROGMORE STEW?

Deep within that lowcountry is a small fishing town called Frogmore—that’s the home of the low country boil, and the reason it’s also called “Frogmore Stew.”

At its bones, a classic low country boil is a fragrant mix of fresh summer corn, new potatoes, sausage, and shrimp.

Often, locals might throw in crab legs or crayfish (also called crawfish) if they’re in season, so feel free to do so as well!

A country shrimp boil is another term for a low country boil, but (as the name implies) it’s made exclusively with shrimp.

If this recipe has you craving more shellfish, check out my recipe for Instant Pot Crab Legs and Instant Pot Lobster Tails!

HOW TO MAKE A LOW COUNTRY BOIL IN AN INSTANT POT

It’s hard to go wrong with a low country boil—especially in an Instant Pot. First, you’ll add the corn, potatoes, and sausage and let them cook for three minutes.

After that has completed pressure cooking, you’ll add the shrimp at the end and let it steam so that it doesn’t overcook.

If you have room, you can even add some Instant Pot Crab Legs to your pot and let them steam.

Since I usually have a lot of crab, I’ll prepare it separately in my 8 quart Instant Pot.

That’s it!

I usually find that my 6 quart Instant pot works perfectly.

top view of red potatoes, onion, lemon, corn on the cob, better than boullion, garlic, and cajun sausage

INSTANT POT LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP BOIL

One reader recently asked for more detail about cooking the shrimp in this recipe:

“I followed all of the instructions except for the shrimp bit. When I turned the knob from sealing to venting, I couldn’t open the lid until all of the pressure was released. So that left me with nothing to cook the frozen shrimp. I’m new to the Instant Pot. Is there an in-between step that I missed?”

This was such a great question!

The shrimp in this low country boil recipe actually cooks with residual heat from the hot corn, potatoes, and sausage.

After releasing all the steam from the Instant Pot to be able to open it, there’s still plenty of residual heat to cook through the shrimp in just a couple of minutes.

Simply add the shrimp quickly and close the lid.

Even if you don’t add the shrimp super quickly, the KEEP WARM button keeps the pot incredibly warm.

This should help cook the shrimp through! If that doesn’t work, add the shrimp and use a regular pot lid or place the Instant Pot lid on top of the Instant Pot but at an angle so it is slightly vented (not locked into place).

Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot, and let the pot simmer for about 5-10 minutes to cook the shrimp through.

WHAT SIZE SHRIMP WORKS BEST? FRESH OR FROZEN?

For convenience, I like to use fresh or frozen extra large or jumbo shrimp. They’re already cleaned, shelled, and deveined.

If you’re not familiar with cooking with crustaceans, peeled and deveined means to remove the outer crunchy shell and the vein down the back.

Fun fact, the vein is actually a digestive tract and sometimes turns black from gritty sand. Luckily, most suppliers sell shrimp already peeled and deveined, making it easier to prepare at home!

If you want to go a fully traditional route, look for Gulf shrimp and throw them into the Instant Pot whole. Part of the low country experience is to shell them at the table with family and friends.

Which kind of potatoes to use in an Instant Pot low country boil?

New or red potatoes are traditional for a low country boil. If you can’t find those, grab some red potatoes (the mini ones are cute to use!).

Failing those, you can use golden potatoes.

If you like potatoes in a low country boil, you’ll love my Instant Pot Salt Potato recipe!

LOW COUNTRY BOIL WITH CHICKEN

One reader adds chicken to this low country boil recipe and a few additional minutes to cook it through!

“I’ve used this as my base recipe and it NEVER disappoints! I’ve added chicken, adding a couple minutes cook time, imitation crab with the shrimp and it is DELICIOUS!”

How to serve an Instant Pot low country boil

A low country boil is a meal meant to be enjoyed by a crowd. Grab your family, or if you’re in the mood for a bigger party, grab your 8 quart Instant Pot and throw a low country boil for all of your friends.

Doubling this recipe is easy! Keep the liquid amount the same and extend the cooking time just a few minutes (2-4 minutes.)

Close up view of cajun sausage, lemon wedges, and diced red potatoes

If you’re going for authentic low country fun, don’t even think about setting a table. Grab some napkins and paper plates, cover a whole table in cardboard or newspapers, and pile the drained boil right there in the center. It’s helpful to have some tongs as well.

I purchased this fun low country boil kit from Amazon that included a tablecloth, butter dishes, crab crackers, bibs, and other crab tools. It was a really fun way to enjoy this Instant Pot low country boil.

I love to eat outside on our patio table with lots of melted butter for dipping, extra spices, lemon wedges, and a healthy dose of summer sun.

What goes with a low country boil?

Red potatoes, onion, and seasoning in instant pot