Shrimp Boiled in Beer from The African-American Heritage Cookbook

"Appetizers are the heart of a good party, or the perfect start to a sumptuous meal."

- Carolyn Quick Tillery

We love seafood and the kids can all agree shrimp is a favorite. I'm sure you can imagine the interest it generated when we decided to boil it in a Boston beer. This boiled shrimp is a simple appetizer that satisfies a hungry crowd of spectators.

Learn more about cooking with kids.

If you like this shrimp recipe, you'll love the whiskey & sweet tea glazed salmon.

Jump to:

• The African-American Heritage Cookbook
• Persian-Style Shrimp & Rice
• Food from Around the World: Free Cooking Lessons
• How to Make Shrimp Boiled in Beer
• Shrimp Boiled in Beer
• Free Boiled Shrimp Recipe for Pre-Readers & Up
• Shrimp Boiled in Beer

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Amazon links are not affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure.

The African-American Heritage Cookbook

For the best shrimp boil, we turned to the pros with The African-American Heritage Cookbook: Traditional Recipes and Fond Remembrances from Alabama's Renowned Tuskegee Institute.

The Tuskegee Institute was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881. This cookbook highlights the rich history of Tuskegee as well as the diversity of Southern African-American cuisine.

During WW II blacks were not permitted to serve in the U.S. Air Service, an elite officer flying corps. It was thought that black officers giving orders to white enlisted men would create social problems. Despite these opinions, Dr. Patterson invited Alfred 'Chief' Anderson to Tuskegee Institute in 1940 to start a flight training program. 'Chief' was the first black to receive a commercial pilot license in 1929 and the father of black aviation.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, in a public show of support and confidence, came to Tuskegee to be flown by flight trainer Chief Anderson. Despite her recommendations to the President, the strong opposition and public debate regarding the "fitness" of blacks to serve continued.

However, in late spring of '41, B.O. Davis, Jr., received orders to Tuskegee. Subsequently, on July 10, 1941, the War Department announced that 'the first class of ten colored aviation cadets would begin training at Tuskegee Air Force Base.' Once trained, the cadets would serve with the newly activated all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron...

'For the next seven months I immersed myself in the miracle of flight.' 'In December we got the news...it was a Sunday afternoon...I was at Tuskegee Institute having a quiet dinner in a restaurant..."when it was learned"...the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor.'"

- Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. from American: An Autobiography

Learn more about allergies and your family.

How to Make Shrimp Boiled in Beer

Ingredients

• shrimp - large shrimp are best for this boiled shrimp recipe
• beer - Sam Adams Just the Haze is perfect for this recipe but you can choose your preference
• garlic - peeled and crushed
• seafood seasoning - we like Old Bay for a quick and easy shrimp boil, for this recipe we used the seafood seasoning recipe in the cookbook
• salt
• bay leaves - we like this bay laurel and use it in all our recipes that call for bay leaves
• Tabasco
• celery seed
• cayenne pepper
• lemons - the juice of 2 lemons
• butter - margarine will also work

Equipment

• Apron
• Prep Bowls
• Butcher Block
• Child-Friendly Knife
• Kitchen Scale
• Molcajete y Tejolote, Mortar & Pestle
• Measuring Spoons
• Wooden Spoon
• Stock Pot
• Small Saucepan

Wash the Shrimp

Wash your hands with soap and water. Place the shrimp in a bowl and rinse them with water. Do not remove the shells.

Add the Beer and Spices to a Large Pot

Pour the beer into the pot. Add the garlic. Use a measuring spoon to add the seafood seasoning, salt, bay leaves, Tabasco, celery seed, and cayenne pepper.

If you're making your seafood seasoning, a molcajete is really helpful. To make the seafood seasoning from the cookbook you'll need to combine:

• 2 tablespoon celery salt
• 1 tablespoon ground bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

Then add half of the seafood seasoning to the stock pot.

Bring to a Boil

Turn the stove on high heat and bring the beer mixture to a boil.

Add the Shrimp & Boil Again

Add the shrimp to the pot and allow it to come to a boil.

Simmer for 2 to 5 Minutes

Turn the heat to low. While the shrimp simmer, the kids can watch as they transform to a pink color. After 2 to 5 minutes, the shrimp should be tender and pink.

Melt the Butter

While the shrimp simmer, you can melt the butter. Be sure to add seafood seasoning and Tabasco to taste. Turn off the stove when finished.

Remove the Shrimp

Use a wooden spoon to remove the shrimp from the pot. Add the lemon juice on top or serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy your boiled shrimp with the seasoned butter. You may need to give a quick demo or refresher on how to peel the shrimp.

Free Boiled Shrimp Recipe for Pre-Readers & Up