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Summer Seafood Boil Packets are the ultimate all-in-one meal—savory, smoky, and full of flavor. Made by wrapping fresh seafood, sausage, corn, and potatoes in foil and grilling or baking them, this dish captures the essence of a coastal cookout without requiring a big pot or cleanup. Each foil packet locks in juices and aromas, making the results tender, well-seasoned, and mouthwatering. Whether you’re preparing for a backyard BBQ, a picnic, or a family dinner, these packets are as festive as they are functional.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 lb large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
3 ears corn, cut into thirds
1 lb baby potatoes, halved
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lemon, sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Aluminum foil, for wrapping

Directions

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a large bowl, toss together shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes with melted butter, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Tear out four large sheets of aluminum foil and evenly divide the mixture among them.
Top each portion with lemon slices and fold the foil tightly to seal into packets.
Place packets on the grill (or on a baking sheet if using the oven).
Cook for 20–25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and shrimp are fully cooked.
Carefully open packets (watch for steam), garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Nutrients (Per Packet, approx.)

Calories: 480
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 950mg

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Summer Seafood Boil Packets are more than just a meal—they’re an experience. What makes this recipe particularly stand out is its blend of simplicity, bold flavors, and impressive presentation. Rather than preparing individual sides and mains, everything is wrapped together into a foil packet, locking in moisture and seasoning while letting each ingredient shine. The steam created inside the packet acts like a mini pressure cooker, ensuring tender shrimp, juicy sausage, sweet corn, and creamy potatoes in one go. This all-in-one format is not only practical but deeply flavorful, with each ingredient absorbing the spicy butter mixture and contributing to the overall aroma and taste.

Beyond flavor, the method of cooking—grilling or baking in foil—makes this dish incredibly accessible. There’s no need for special seafood boiling equipment, long cleanup sessions, or complex timing. You simply assemble, wrap, cook, and serve. Each packet feels personal, like a little gift opened at the table. It works for both casual weeknights and festive gatherings, adapting effortlessly to different occasions.

The beauty of this dish is also in its adaptability. You can switch up the seafood, add more veggies, or use different seasonings depending on the season or your guests’ preferences. Whether it’s for a Fourth of July barbecue, a relaxed backyard dinner, or a simple way to enjoy seafood at home, this dish fits the bill while offering restaurant-quality results with minimal fuss.

The Benefits of the Ingredients

Every component in this dish is selected for flavor, texture, and nutrition, making it not only delicious but also balanced.

Shrimp are the star protein, offering lean nutrition with low fat and high-quality protein. They cook quickly, absorb flavors well, and provide key nutrients like selenium, iodine, and vitamin B12. Their mild flavor pairs beautifully with bold seasonings like Old Bay and garlic.

Smoked sausage introduces a smoky depth and hearty bite to the mix. It complements the shrimp while adding richness. While traditional recipes use pork sausage, options like turkey, chicken, or even plant-based sausages can be used to adjust for dietary needs.

Corn on the cob, sliced into smaller pieces, offers a sweet, juicy crunch. It’s a symbol of summer and adds color, natural sweetness, and fiber to each bite. Roasting it inside the packet with butter enhances its flavor even more.

Baby potatoes act as the grounding carb, soaking up the buttery, seasoned juices while offering a creamy texture. They’re also a good source of potassium, complex carbs, and vitamin C.

Old Bay seasoning is a classic seafood spice blend that includes paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and mustard—perfectly complementing shrimp and sausage without overpowering them. Combined with garlic powder, it creates a punchy flavor base.

Lemon slices add brightness and a fresh, zesty aroma that balances the richness of butter and sausage. The acid from the lemon also helps tenderize the shrimp as it cooks.

Butter, used to coat the ingredients, doesn’t just add richness—it helps meld all the seasonings together and creates the flavorful juices at the bottom of the packet. You can swap it for olive oil or ghee for different dietary needs.

Finally, parsley brings freshness and visual appeal as a garnish, rounding out the dish both visually and aromatically.

Cooking Tips for Perfection

Perfecting foil packet cooking is all about a few simple but impactful techniques.

Cut uniform pieces: Slice your potatoes small enough to ensure they cook at the same speed as the shrimp. If your potatoes are too large, they’ll stay firm while everything else overcooks. Halving or quartering baby potatoes is usually enough.

Pre–boil potatoes if needed: If you’re short on cook time or your potatoes are especially large, you can parboil them for a few minutes before assembling the packets. This guarantees they’re fork-tender at the end.

Use heavy-duty foil: Regular foil can tear or puncture easily, leaking precious juices. Heavy-duty foil prevents this and allows for better sealing of the steam. You can also double-layer the foil for extra protection.

Seal tightly: Crimp the edges of each foil packet well so no steam escapes during cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps lock in flavor. Place the seam-side up if grilling, to avoid leaks.

Grill vs. oven: Grilling adds a subtle smokiness and works great for summer outdoor cooking. The oven, however, provides consistent heat and is perfect for colder months. Both methods produce equally tender, flavorful results.

Open with care: Steam can rush out when unsealing foil packets. Let them cool slightly and open away from your face to avoid burns.

Customize at will: You can swap shrimp for scallops, mussels, or chunks of firm white fish like cod or halibut. Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for more veggies. Adjust the spice level by adding cayenne, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the butter mix.

Serving Suggestions

The self-contained nature of these packets makes them a ready-to-serve meal with little to no extra effort. You can serve each person their own packet directly from the grill or oven, which adds a rustic charm and keeps cleanup minimal.

For a complete experience, pair the packets with a light green salad with vinaigrette or a fresh fruit salad to balance the richness. You can also offer a crusty baguette or cornbread to soak up the buttery juices—guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re serving these at a backyard gathering, consider adding a simple summer cocktail or sparkling lemonade to make the meal festive. A cold beer or a chilled glass of white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, pairs excellently with the seafood flavors.

As a family-friendly dinner, the packets are easy to make in batches, and the customizable ingredients let picky eaters choose their favorites. They also work great for camping trips—just toss the pre-assembled packets on the campfire grate for a gourmet meal under the stars.

Conclusion

Summer Seafood Boil Packets are a celebration of flavor, ease, and summer tradition. They take the essence of a classic seafood boil—rich in butter, bold in seasoning, and loaded with texture—and translate it into an approachable, mess-free format. From the smoky sausage and tender shrimp to the juicy corn and creamy potatoes, every bite is packed with the essence of a coastal feast.

What truly sets this dish apart is how little effort it requires to achieve such impressive results. It’s a perfect example of smart cooking—minimal dishes, no guesswork, and maximum payoff. Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or just looking for a weeknight dinner that feels special, these foil packets are a guaranteed win.

Most importantly, this recipe invites creativity. Swap ingredients, adjust flavors, and make it your own while keeping the core principles intact. It’s a reliable go-to meal that feels fresh every time. From novice cooks to seasoned chefs, anyone can master and enjoy this summery classic.

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