Shrimp Boil Recipe in Oven

No Mess, All Flavor: The Ultimate Shrimp Boil Recipe Baked Right in Your Oven

There’s something magical about a shrimp boil. The smell of Cajun spices, the buttery garlic sauce, the sweet corn, and juicy shrimp — it all screams good times, sunshine, and family-style dinners. But let’s be real: hauling out a giant pot, boiling water, and dealing with the cleanup isn’t always practical. That’s exactly why I fell in love with this oven-baked shrimp boil recipe — it delivers all the bold, zesty flavors with zero mess. Just one sheet pan or foil packets, a hot oven, and dinner is served.

When I first developed this recipe, I was craving a Southern-style seafood dinner but didn’t want to stand over a boiling pot. I wanted something quick, easy, flavorful, and family-friendly. After a few delicious trials (and errors), I found the perfect balance — a smoky, buttery Cajun garlic sauce, juicy shrimp, and tender potatoes all roasted together in the oven. Let me walk you through how to cook your new favorite seafood dinner!

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What Is a Shrimp Boil — and Can You Really Make It in the Oven?

Traditionally, a shrimp boil is a big outdoor party meal made in a large pot filled with water, spices, shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage. It’s often dumped onto newspaper-covered tables and shared communally. It’s festive, it’s messy, and it’s delicious.

But when you’re a busy woman juggling work, family, or just trying to reclaim your time, a no-fuss option is gold. This baked shrimp boil skips the pot and instead uses your oven to roast everything with a buttery, spicy sauce. You still get those signature flavors — Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, garlic, and lemon — but with far less cleanup and hassle.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Baked Shrimp Boil

Here’s everything you need to make this flavor-packed meal. These measurements are enough to serve 4 hungry people — or 6 if you're serving sides.

For the Boil:

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 lb baby red potatoes, halved

2 ears corn, cut into thirds

12 oz smoked sausage (like andouille or kielbasa), sliced into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce:

½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

Sheet Pan vs. Foil Packets: Choose Your Adventure

Both options are great, and I rotate between the two depending on how many dishes I want to wash.

Sheet Pan Method:

Perfect when you’re feeding a group or want everything ready at once. Just toss everything on one large rimmed baking sheet, pour on the sauce, and roast.

Foil Packet Method:

Great for individual portions, meal prep, or grilling outdoors. Simply divide the ingredients into heavy-duty foil squares, seal tightly, and bake.

Either way, this is one of the easiest seafood dinners you'll ever make.

Make the Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce

This sauce is the heart and soul of the dish. It’s bold, buttery, and soaks into every bite.

Here’s how to make it:

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.

2. Stir in the garlic, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and lemon juice.

3. Mix well and set aside.

Pro Tip: If you love heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to crank up the spice.

Amazon Pick #1: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet

Why I Love It: This pan heats evenly, has high sides to contain all the juices, and is basically indestructible. I’ve used mine for years — it’s perfect for everything from cookies to sheet pan shrimp boil dinners.

Want a reliable sheet pan that lasts forever? Grab this one on Amazon and thank me later.

How to Cook Shrimp Boil in the Oven

1. Prep the Ingredients

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Parboil the baby potatoes for 10 minutes in salted water. This ensures they’re fully cooked after baking.

If using foil packets, cut four large pieces of foil (about 12” x 16”).

2. Toss Everything Together

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

Parboiled potatoes

Corn

Shrimp

Sausage

Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Drizzle about two-thirds of the Cajun garlic butter sauce over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.

3. Assemble & Bake

For sheet pan: Spread everything evenly across a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.

For foil packets: Divide mixture evenly among the foil sheets. Drizzle with remaining sauce, seal tightly, and bake for 20 minutes.

4. Garnish & Serve

Open carefully (that steam is HOT).

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a few lemon wedges for brightness.

Amazon Pick #2: Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil

Why I Love It: This heavy-duty foil won’t tear, even when loaded with shrimp, corn, and sausage. It’s also oven- and grill-safe — perfect for those shrimp boil foil packets.

Upgrade your kitchen with this sturdy foil — no more mid-bake tears or leaks!

Chef’s Tips for the Best Baked Shrimp Boil

Use large shrimp. Smaller ones will overcook in the oven.

Parboil the potatoes. Especially if they’re bigger or waxier. Soft, buttery potatoes are key.

Don’t skimp on sauce. The butter mixture is what soaks into the shrimp and veggies and gives that classic seafood boil flavor.

Add variety. Toss in extra seafood like mussels or crab legs if you’re feeling fancy.

What to Serve With Shrimp Boil

This easy seafood dinner is nearly a full meal on its own, but here are a few tasty add-ons:

Crusty French bread or garlic toast – perfect for soaking up the sauce

Fresh green salad – something crisp and refreshing

Extra lemon wedges – citrus always brings out the seafood flavor

And let’s be real — a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling lemonade pairs perfectly.

Amazon Pick #3: Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning Variety Pack

Why I Love It: If you’re into bold flavors, this Cajun seasoning pack is a dream. It includes mild and hot blends so you can control the heat level to your liking.

Spice up your life (and your meals) with this Louisiana-made Cajun trio — grab it now on Amazon!

Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is super flexible. Here are a few swaps and upgrades:

Seafood swaps: Add clams, crab legs, mussels, or scallops.

Sausage: Use turkey sausage or go full smoky with andouille.

Veggies: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even halved Brussels sprouts.

Vegetarian? Skip the sausage and shrimp and load up with corn, potatoes, and mushrooms, then roast in that buttery Cajun sauce.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), here’s how to keep them fresh:

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Pop leftovers back in the oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, or microwave foil packets after opening them slightly.

This also makes a great meal prep option. Prep foil packets in advance and bake when ready!

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe

I’ve made this shrimp boil recipe more times than I can count. Whether it's a last-minute weeknight dinner or an impressive date-night meal, it always delivers. It’s fast, packed with flavor, and cleanup is basically nonexistent — especially if you go the foil packet route.

If you’ve never tried cooking a shrimp boil in the oven before, I truly hope this recipe becomes a staple in your dinner rotation. It’s one of those rare meals that feels indulgent but is secretly effortless — and that’s the sweet spot we all crave, isn’t it?

Let me know in the comments if you try this easy oven-baked shrimp boil, or if you have your own secret twist. And don’t forget to pin this post or share it with your foodie friends — because good food is always better when shared.

Bon appétit!