History

Lowcountry boil is a Gullah Geechee one-pot tradition from the coastal Sea Islands south of Savannah. Also called Frogmore stew after a community on St. Helena Island, SC, the dish became the canonical Lowcountry party meal for fishing-fleet feasts and beach gatherings. Variations differ by household, but the four anchors (shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes) hold across the region.

Common allergens: Shellfish

Make it at home

Yield 6Hands-on 20 minTotal 45 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg new red potatoes, halved
  • 6 ears sweet corn, halved
  • 750g smoked andouille or kielbasa, cut in 5cm pieces
  • 2 kg Georgia white shrimp, head-on, shell-on
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 8 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 4 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
  • Plenty of water; melted butter and hot sauce to serve

Method

  1. Fill a 12-litre stock pot with water and add the Old Bay, onion, lemon and garlic. Bring to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the potatoes; cook 12 minutes until just tender.
  3. Add the sausage and corn; cook 5 minutes more.
  4. Add the shrimp; cook 3 to 4 minutes until pink. Do not overcook.
  5. Drain the pot. Tip the boil onto a butcher-paper-covered table. Serve with melted butter, hot sauce, lemon wedges and cold beer.

Tip from the editors. Head-on, shell-on shrimp give the boil its flavour. Don't substitute peeled shrimp.

Where to eat lowcountry boil (frogmore stew)

Lowcountry boil (Frogmore stew) in Savannah

The Wyld Dock Bar ★ 4.0

Seafood$$islandsTue-Sun 12:00-17:00

The Wyld Dock Bar is on the herb river in thunderbolt past the bridge, accessible by free boat tie-up; locals-only, no tour-bus traffic, raw-bar happy hour.

Why locals love it: On the Herb River in Thunderbolt past the bridge, accessible by free boat tie-up; locals-only, no tour-bus traffic, raw-bar happy hour.

Tip: Free boat tie-up; arrive by 18:00 on live-music nights to beat the rush.

2740 Livingston Ave, Savannah, GA 31406

Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar ★ 4.1

Seafood, Oysters$$historic-districtMon-Sun 11:00-24:00

Sorry Charlie's runs an oyster bar in one of Georgia's oldest commercial buildings, overlooking Ellis Square. Raw bar, steam pots, Bamboo Room tiki upstairs.

Signature: Raw oysters, Steam pots

Order: A dozen Sapelo oysters on the half-shell, plus a Lowcountry boil for two.

Tip: Happy hour runs daily 16:00-18:00 with discounted oysters Walk-ins usually OK.

116 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401

Wiley's Championship BBQ ★ 4.5

American BBQ$islandsMon-Sun 11:00-20:00

Wiley's brisket sandwich plus two sides comes in under $20 at the counter on US 80, with sausage and rib plates also under $20. Walk-in only; arrive by 18:00.

Try: Brisket sandwich plus two sides

4700 US-80 E, Savannah, GA 31410

Vic's on the River ★ 4.3

Contemporary Southern, Seafood$$$historic-districtMon-Sun 11:00-22:00

Vic's runs in a restored 1859 cotton warehouse on Bay Street, river views from the upstairs dining room. Classic Lowcountry with white-tablecloth service.

Signature: Shrimp and grits, She-crab soup

Order: Shrimp and grits with the Carolina shrimp sauce, plus a she-crab soup to share.

Tip: Ask for an upstairs window seat at reservation time for the Savannah River view.

26 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401

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