How to Host a Lowcountry Boil (or Just Let Saltwater Cowboys Do It)

Lowcountry seafood boil in Charleston at Saltwater Cowboys waterfront outdoor dining restaurant

Key Takeaways

  • A classic Lowcountry boil combines shrimp, sausage, corn, onions and potatoes with seafood seasoning.

  • The ingredients are cooked in stages so everything finishes at the right time.

  • Saltwater Cowboys serves a Lowcountry Boil with shrimp, sausage, corn, onions, potatoes, Old Bay and cornbread as part of its private event menu.

  • SWC also offers Southern Shrimp & Grits and other seafood favorites for anyone looking for seafood in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

  • Private parties at Saltwater Cowboys can include the Lowcountry Boil along with customizable food and drink packages.

Simple steps. Rich flavor. There’s really nothing like it. When you’re dining out in Charleston or Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, few meals put you in that Lowcountry mindset as a big pot of seafood, sausage, corn and potatoes shared around a table.

If you’re looking for a Lowcountry boil in Charleston, hosting one at home is a fun way to feed a crowd. It’s casual, customizable and perfect for gathering folks around the table. 

But if you’d like to skip the mess and still enjoy the meal… there’s always another option: let Saltwater Cowboys handle the cooking while you enjoy the waterfront. 

What goes into a Lowcountry boil?

The beauty of a Lowcountry boil is that you don’t need a complicated ingredient list. After all, you can’t fix what’s not broken, so focus on mastering the basics first.

Got your shopping list handy? Here’s what you need.

For a traditional boil, you’ll want:

  • Shrimp

  • Smoked sausage

  • Corn on the cob

  • Potatoes

  • Onions

  • Old Bay seasoning

  • Cornbread for serving

Add the ingredients into a large pot in stages, allowing everything to cook properly while soaking up all that seasoned goodness.

Sounds good? At Saltwater Cowboys, our version follows that same classic combination: shrimp, sausage, corn, onions, potatoes and Old Bay, served with cornbread. 

Plus, we’re already serving it up if you’d rather skip the good part! And if seafood isn’t your thing, we’ve got some southern BBQ with your name on it.

Here’s how to host your own Lowcountry boil.

You’ve got your ingredients. Now, let’s get cooking. If we really wanted to host a Lowcountry boil at home, here’s how we’d do it.

1. Start with a big pot.

You’ll need a large stockpot with enough room for all your ingredients and plenty of seasoned water. Fill the pot with water, add a generous amount of Old Bay or your favorite seafood seasoning and bring everything to a rolling boil. And DON’T be shy with the seasoning.

2. Add the potatoes and onions.

Potatoes need more time to cook than shrimp, so they should go in first. Add your potatoes and onions to the boiling, seasoned water and let them start cooking before adding the rest of the ingredients. Remember, you’re looking for tender potatoes that can easily be pierced with a fork.

3. Add the sausage and corn.

Once the potatoes are ready, add your sausage and corn. The sausage brings smoky, savory flavor to the pot, while the corn picks up all those seasoned juices as it cooks. This is also a good time to grab another drink if you haven’t already. 

If you were at Saltwater Cowboys, we’d recommend you try one of our delicious frozen cocktails or our favorite local craft beers… but whatever’s in the fridge will do, too!

4. Finish with the shrimp.

Shrimp cook quickly, so they should go in toward the end. Add them to the pot and cook just until they turn pink and opaque. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook. Once everything is ready, drain the pot and serve it.

5. Spread it out and dig in!

This is our favorite part, too. Traditionally, the cooked ingredients are spread across a table lined with paper or served family-style in a large dish. Add plenty of cornbread, cold drinks and whatever sauces or sides your crowd enjoys.

Then let everyone help themselves. That’s part of what makes a Lowcountry boil so much fun. It’s less about making a perfect plate and more about gathering everyone around the same meal.

What should you serve with a Lowcountry boil?

A Lowcountry boil is already a pretty complete meal, but a few extras can round things out. For starters, Cornbread is an easy choice and comes standard with the Saltwater Cowboys Lowcountry Boil.

You can also add a simple salad, coleslaw or another fresh side to balance out the richness of the sausage and seafood. And, naturally, cold beer or a refreshing cocktail belongs somewhere nearby.

Don't Feel Like Cooking? We’ve Got You.

There’s nothing wrong with hosting your own boil. But there’s also something pretty great about letting someone else handle the giant pot.

Saltwater Cowboys serves a Lowcountry Boil as part of our private event menu, with shrimp, sausage, corn, onions, potatoes and Old Bay seasoning served with cornbread. All that food for only $30 per person? Yes, really! 

That means you can get all the good parts of a seafood boil in Charleston without buying a stockpot, hauling bags of ingredients home or figuring out how many pounds of shrimp you need. Just show up hungry, and we’ll handle the rest.

Make your Lowcountry boil into a creekside party!

A seafood boil is especially well-suited to a group gathering because the food is already designed to be shared. Luckily, we’ve got the room to make it happen.

With four event spaces and a waterfront setting, you can let the SWC team handle the food while you focus on your guests.

  • Mezzanine — Indoor balcony, up to 50 guests

  • Rooftop — Private floor, up to 45 guests

  • Gazebo — Outdoor back patio, up to 80 guests

  • Corral — Outdoor front patio, up to 150 guests

Whether you're planning a birthday, rehearsal dinner, corporate gathering or another celebration, Saltwater Cowboys offers private event spaces and customizable food and drink packages on Shem Creek. 

Our current private party offerings include buffet-style packages with options for appetizers, entrées, sides and add-ons, including the Lowcountry Boil. 

Find your favorite Lowcountry flavors on Shem Creek!

Food this good deserves a view to match. Pair your meal with the Charleston waterfront, cold drinks and good company. Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek is a laid-back Southern dining experience that’ll make you feel right at home. Check out our full menu and come see why folks keep coming back for more.

FAQs

What is a Lowcountry boil?

A Lowcountry boil is a communal seafood meal built around shrimp, sausage, corn, onions and potatoes, typically seasoned with Old Bay. At Saltwater Cowboys, the boil also comes with cornbread.

What seafood is in a Lowcountry boil?

Shrimp is the seafood featured in Saltwater Cowboys’ Lowcountry Boil. The event menu also includes sausage, corn, onions and potatoes, seasoned with Old Bay.

Where can I get a seafood boil in Charleston?

Saltwater Cowboys serves a Lowcountry Boil as an add-on for private events. The $30-per-person option includes shrimp, sausage, corn, onions, potatoes, Old Bay seasoning and cornbread.

Can I host a Lowcountry boil for a private event?

Yes. Saltwater Cowboys offers private events with customizable food and drink packages, including a Lowcountry Boil option. The restaurant has four event spaces for gatherings ranging from cocktail-style events to full meals.

Is a Lowcountry boil the same as shrimp and grits?

No. Both are Lowcountry favorites, but they are different dishes. Saltwater Cowboys’ Southern Shrimp & Grits features white and yellow grits, creamy tasso gravy, onions, bell peppers and smoked sausage, while the Lowcountry Boil is served with shrimp, sausage, corn, onions and potatoes.


Maddie Acee