Classic Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil)

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/3/21
Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe

 The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
632 Calories
36g Fat
59g Carbs
23g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 632
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 47%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 22594mg 982%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 28mg 142%
Calcium 180mg 14%
Iron 5mg 30%
Potassium 1764mg 38%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This classic Frogmore stew is a highly seasoned shrimp boil with smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cob. For seasoning, use Zatarain's crab boil, Old Bay Seasoning, or a similar mixture, or you can make a spicy homemade mixture, which is included below.

This is an excellent tailgating or camping recipe, and it can be cooked over a campfire or a portable gas burner. Feel free to scale the recipe up for a party or large gathering. 

Ingredients

For the Seafood Boil Seasoning:

  • 1 cup salt

  • 2 tablespoons celery seeds

  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander

  • 2 tablespoons ground mustard

  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground white pepper

  • 1 tablespoon thyme

  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 3 to 4 bay leaves

For the Stew

  • 6 quarts water

  • 1/2 cup seafood boil seasoning, or Old Bay Seasoning

  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds small red potatoes, or round white potatoes, scrubbed

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds smoked sausages, such as kielbasa, andouille, or smoked chorizo

  • 6 ears corn

  • 1 1/2 pounds large or jumbo shrimp, unpeeled

Steps to Make It

Make the Seafood Boil Seasoning

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  2. Combine all of the seafood boil seasoning ingredients in a bowl and mix together.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  3. Alternatively, put all of the ingredients into a small jar with a lid and shake.

Make the Stew

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  2. Put the water in a large stockpot. Stir the crab boil seasoning or Old Bay into the water and bring it to a boil over high heat.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  3. Meanwhile, cut the potatoes into halves or quarters if large; you can leave them whole if they are small.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  4. Slice the sausage into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  5. Shuck the corn and break each ear into halves or thirds.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  6. When the water comes to a full boil, add the potatoes and boil for 5 minutes.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  7. Add the sausage and continue boiling for 12 minutes.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  8. Add the corn and continue boiling for 1 minute.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  9. Add the shrimp and continue boiling for 2 minutes.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  10. Use a hand-held strainer or pour into a colander and drain well.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  11. Turn out onto a surface covered with newspaper, brown paper, or several layers of paper towels and serve.

    Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil) Recipe
    The Spruce

  12. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • This recipe uses the standard low country boil ingredients: potatoes, sausage, fresh corn on the cob, and shrimp in the shell. Feel free to add about 1 pound of small boiling onions when you add the smoked sausage.
  • Kielbasa is often included, but you can also use smoked spicy andouille sausage.
  • If your family prefers spicy smoked chorizo or another type of smoked sausage, feel free to use that.