How to Make Carolina Steamed Spicy Shrimp

Carolina steamed shrimp have a kick of spicy flavor.

The eastern seaboard of the U.S. is known for delicious seafood recipes, and the Carolinas are no exception. While the precise recipes vary dependent upon the location, there are certain steps that you can take to replicate a Carolina shrimp boil in your own home. You can be creative with the ingredients and seasonings to tailor this southern style meal to your personal taste, as you can add different things to the steaming mixture or the dipping sauce.

Things You'll Need

• Large stock pot
• 2 pounds large shrimp (shell-on)
• Large stock pan with lid
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup light beer
• 4 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 pieces celery, chopped
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• Horseradish cocktail sauce
• Hot sauce

Instructions

1. Place one cup of water, on half cup apple cider vinegar, one cup light beer, two tablespoons of Old Bay seasoning, two bay leaves, one sliced small onion, two pieces of chopped celery and one halved lemon in a large stock pot. Add two to five dashes of hot sauce if you would like extra heat.

2. Turn on the stove burner and bring the contents of the stock pot to a boil for 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Add two pounds of headless shrimp to the mixture with their shells on. Cover the stock pot and steam until the shrimp turn pink, being careful not to cook them for too long. Cooking the shrimp should take approximately five minutes.

4. Remove the shrimp from the pot and toss with two tablespoons of Old Bay seasoning. Serve with lemon wedges, hot sauce and spicy horseradish cocktail sauce.

Tips & Warnings

• Add items such as new potatoes and sausages to the apple cider, water and beer mixture if desired. Cook until almost done before adding the shrimp to be steamed.

References

• Fatback and Foie Gras: Carolina-Style Steamed Shrimp with Spicy Cocktail Sauce
• One Perfect Bite: Spicy Steamed Shrimp