A bowl of boiled shrimp, corn and potatoes

Lowcountry boil calculator

Shopping list

Item	Quantity
Potatoes	3 lb
Onions	3 each
Smoked sausage	3 lb
Corn	12 ears
Shrimp	4.5 lb
Old Bay	1 cup

Totals

Water: 15 qt

Equipment

Pot: 1 x 20 qt
Propane burner: 1
Strainer

Timing

Potatoes, onions: 15-20 min
Sausage, corn: 5-7 min
Shrimp: 2-3 min
Total after boil: 22-30 min

Groceries

Sources

Figure	Used	Range	Source
Shrimp per guest	0.38 lb	0.25-0.5 lb	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: plan on 1/4 pound of shrimp per person The Local Palate, Frogmore Stew (2019-10-12), checked 2026-10-25: 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, serves 4 to 6 (0.25 to 0.375 lb) Food Network, Frogmore Stew (John D. Martin), checked 2026-10-25: 4 pounds shrimp, 8 servings (0.5 lb) Home-Ec 101, Lowcountry Boil, checked 2026-10-25: a little more than half a pound of shrimp per person (reader reply)
Smoked sausage per guest	0.21 lb	0.17-0.25 lb	The Local Palate, Frogmore Stew (2019-10-12), checked 2026-10-25: 1 pound sausage, serves 4 to 6 (0.17 to 0.25 lb) Food Network, Frogmore Stew (John D. Martin), checked 2026-10-25: 2 pounds hot smoked link sausage, 8 servings (0.25 lb)
Corn per guest	1 ear	0.67-1.5 ear	The Local Palate, Frogmore Stew (2019-10-12), checked 2026-10-25: 4 ears corn, serves 4 to 6 (0.67 to 1 ear) Food Network, Frogmore Stew (John D. Martin), checked 2026-10-25: 12 ears corn, 8 servings (1.5 ears)
Potatoes per guest	0.25 lb	0.17-0.38 lb	The Local Palate, Frogmore Stew (2019-10-12), checked 2026-10-25: 1 pound young potatoes, serves 4 to 6 (0.17 to 0.25 lb) Home-Ec 101, Lowcountry Boil, checked 2026-10-25: 3 lbs potatoes with 4 lbs shrimp at about half a pound of shrimp per person (0.375 lb)
Onions per guest	0.19 each	0.13-0.25 each	Home-Ec 101, Lowcountry Boil, checked 2026-10-25: optional 1 - 2 onions with 4 lbs shrimp (0.125 to 0.25 each) Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: 1 large sweet onion with 2 pounds shrimp at 1/4 pound per person
Old Bay per pound of shrimp	0.19 cup	0.13-0.33 cup	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: 1/4 to 1/2 cup Old Bay with 2 pounds shrimp (0.125 to 0.25 cup per lb) The Local Palate, Frogmore Stew (2019-10-12), checked 2026-10-25: 1/3 - 1/2 cup Old Bay with 1 1/2 pounds shrimp (0.22 to 0.33 cup per lb)
Pot capacity per guest	1.5 qt	1.33-2 qt	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: 8 to 12 quarts water, pot three-quarters full, for 2 pounds shrimp at 1/4 pound per person (1.33 to 2 qt per guest) Home-Ec 101, Lowcountry Boil, checked 2026-10-25: a turkey fryer for a recipe tripled to about 20 people (about 1.5 qt per guest at 30 qt)
Pot fill	75%	75%	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: pot three-quarters full with water
Time: Potatoes, onions	15-20 min	15-20 min	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fork-tender
Time: Sausage, corn	5-7 min	5-7 min	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: cook for another 5 to 7 minutes Food Network, Frogmore Stew (John D. Martin), checked 2026-10-25: sausage 5 minutes, corn 5 minutes
Time: Shrimp	2-3 min	2-3 min	Local Life SC, Lowcountry Boil Recipe, checked 2026-10-25: cook for no longer than 2 to 3 minutes Food Network, Frogmore Stew (John D. Martin), checked 2026-10-25: shrimp 3 minutes

A public school takes children from its attendance zone

An independent school takes a child from any address

Lowcountry boil calculator

Shopping list

Totals

Equipment

Timing

Groceries

Sources