Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

March 6, 2020Van

Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (1)

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Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

If you’ve never had a shrimp boil you’re not alone. Most of us never experienced this delight unless we were from the Gulf—primarily Southeastern Texas or Louisiana. It’s a right of passage in these parts. Balmy late spring afternoons are spent with friends and family eating copious amounts of shrimp, sausage, corn and crawfish—all washed down with some cold beer and loud laughs.

I know this now, but as a Native Californian this was news to me—that is until 2004 a restaurant popped up near my home called The Boiling Crab. It was love at first bite. Their delicious sauce known as “The Whole Sha-Bang!” complete with your choice of spice level (I always went for the crazy XXX spicy) is so addictive and flavorful. They nailed the recipe to pair perfectly with fresh crustaceans.

The Boiling Crab changed the game by developing an amazing sauce complete with butter, Cajun spices, lemon pepper, tons of garlic— a potent compound that penetrated the food; differing greatly than simply boiling the food in a water bath with spice mix tossed in. The Boiling Crab took the traditional shrimp boil to the next level. I’m not alone. The Boiling Crab spawned a million copycats. Every city I’ve been to now has a generic “Cajun Crawfish / Crab Shack” that uses a similar sauce and this was unheard of before The Boiling Crab.

So here I pay homage to one of my absolute favorite delights by recreating this banging dish at home. Come along and have some fun with it. Throw a party and enjoy the deep flavors of the Gulf wherever you may be.

Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2)

Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (3)

If you use your Instant Pot on the counter under your cabinets, this is an awesome accessory that diverts the steam downward and away from your cabinets (purchase here)
Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (4)

The Whole Sha-Bang! Sauce
Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (5)

Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (6)

Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (7)

Be sure to click on the accessories list below to get the most out of your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (8)

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Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (9)

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March 6, 2020Van

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Serves: 4

www.foodisafourletterword.com

Ingredients

  • 2 Pounds fresh or thawed Shrimp, I used large easy peel shrimp
  • 1.5 Pounds Creamer / Red Potatoes
  • 4 Fully Cooked Links of Smoked Sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 4 Corn on the cob, cut into halfs or thirds
  • 10 Large Garlic Cloves, coarsely minced
  • 8 oz Unsalted Butter (2 Sticks)
  • 1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 2 Teaspoon Lemon Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Sweet Paprika
  • 1½ Teaspoon Sugar
  • ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (add 1-3 Teaspoons if you like it spicier)
  • 1 Teaspoon Ac’cent Salt or MSG
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1 Teaspoon Louisiana Hot Sauce
  • ¼ Cup Water

Method

  • 1)

    Place 1½ Cups of Water into the Instant Pot. Add 1.5 Pounds of baby potatoes to the pot, then place a trivet on top of the potatoes and place the corn on top of the trivet. Seal the lid and choose High Pressure for 5 Minutes. When the timer is up, switch the knob to venting and when the pin drops, open the lid. Drain the potatoes and corn and set aside.

  • 2)

    In a bowl, add 1 Tablespoons Cajun Seasoning, 1 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, 2 Teaspoons Lemon Pepper, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 Tablespoon Sweet Paprika, 1½ Teaspoons Sugar, 1 Teaspoon MSG, ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, stir and set aside.

  • 3)

    Add 2 Sticks of Unsalted Butter to the Instant Pot. Choose Sauté on High. When the butter is melted, add the minced garlic, stir and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add ¼ Cup Water, 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice, 1 Teaspoon Louisiana Hot Sauce and the bowl of the mixed seasoning. Once it starts to boil, let it simmer for 2 minutes, then add the shrimp, sausage and stir. Let it come back up to a simmer and cook just until the shrimp starts to turn pink (about 1-2 Minutes) don’t let them get fully pink or they will get overcooked. Turn off the Instant Pot, add the potatoes and corn back into the pot and close the lid. Wait 2 minutes, vent the steam if the pin popped up and open the lid. Serve each portion with plenty of Whole ShaBang sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

↓ Supplies to make this recipe ↓

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Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (18)

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Instant Pot Whole ShaBang! Shrimp Boil Recipe (Copycat of The Boiling Crab) – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

FAQs

What is shrimp and crab boil made of? ›

A variety of seafood such as shrimp, crab (king crab or snow crab are often used), lobster, clams, mussels, and crawfish — along with vegetables including corn, potatoes, garlic, and mushrooms — are in a seafood boil. All ingredients are boiled in a seasoned broth and often served with lemon and parsley.

What cuisine is crab boil? ›

Shrimp, crab, and crawfish boils are a Louisiana Cajun tradition and can be found across Louisiana and can even now be found along the Gulf South. But the more popular crawfish boil is most closely associated with Louisiana.

Why do they put orange juice in crab boil? ›

Orange slices are a fundamental ingredient in a Cajun seafood boil already, but as the chef explains, the addition of the orange juice "balance[s] [the] spices and add[s] that citrus flavor that everybody loves."

Why add vinegar to crab boil? ›

Why do you use vinegar when cooking crabs? Vinegar is commonly added to the water when steaming crabs. It reduces the boiling point of the water so the crabs steam more quickly, and is also said to help the crab come out of the shell more easily.

What are the ingredients in liquid shrimp and crab boil? ›

Zatarain's Concentrated Liquid Shrimp & Crab Boil is made with a mix of premium extracts of red pepper, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper, thyme, and marjoram. Primarily used in seafood boils to create authentic Southern Louisiana flavor.

How healthy are crab boils? ›

These ingredients are packed with essential nutrients like lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D), and minerals (such as zinc, selenium, and iron). By enjoying a Cajun seafood boil at Redcrab, you can nourish your body with these vital nutrients.

What is the yellow stuff in boiled crabs? ›

mustard Yellow substance found inside a cooked crab. Contrary to popular belief, the "mustard" is not fat, rather it's the crab's hepatopancreas, the organ responsible for filtering impurities from the crab's blood.

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