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Crab Stuffed Shrimp

Featured in Hearty and Delicious Mains.

Let me share these incredible stuffed shrimp that bring together the best of surf and surf - plump jumbo shrimp get butterflied and packed with this amazing filling of sweet crab meat, fresh spinach, and melty cheese that makes every bite pure luxury! The seasoned shrimp shells curl up beautifully as they bake, creating these perfect little vessels for the rich filling that gets golden and bubbly in the oven. But what really makes them extraordinary is the garlic butter dill sauce that adds this incredible finishing touch, bringing all those seafood flavors together. It's restaurant-quality elegance made right at home!
A smiling woman in an apron poses for a selfie in a professional kitchen.
Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 21:05:56 GMT
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A close-up view of baked shrimp, topped with a golden crust and garnished with herbs. Pin it
A close-up view of baked shrimp, topped with a golden crust and garnished with herbs. | tastygusto.com

Let me share my go to holiday appetizer that never fails to impress these elegant Stuffed Shrimp. After years of perfecting this recipe I've found the perfect blend of tender shrimp sweet crab meat and a savory filling that makes everyone ask for the recipe. The best part? It looks fancy but it's actually so simple to make.

Why These Are Pure Magic

What I love about this recipe is how it combines the sweetness of shrimp with rich crab and melty cheese. Every bite is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Plus you can easily adjust the ingredients to make it your own it's such a versatile dish.

Let's Gather Our Ingredients

  • Shrimp: Go for those big beautiful jumbo ones.
  • Lump Crab Meat: The sweet meat makes all the difference.
  • Baby Spinach: Make sure to squeeze out all the water.
  • Artichokes: They add such nice texture.
  • Mayo: This brings everything together.
  • Breadcrumbs: For that perfect golden top.
  • Cheese: That blend of cheeses is key.
  • Lemon: Fresh lemon brightens everything up.
  • Dijon & Worcestershire: My secret flavor boosters.
  • Spices: Don't skimp on these!

Let's Make Some Magic

Get Those Shrimp Ready
Take your time butterflying them it makes such a difference.
Mix the Good Stuff
That filling should be perfectly seasoned and well mixed.
Fill Them Up
Be generous with the stuffing each shrimp should be overflowing.
Bake to Perfection
Watch for that golden brown top it's your signal they're done.

My Best Tips

After making these countless times I've learned that bigger shrimp really are better for stuffing. Always use good quality crab meat and don't forget to trim those tails they look so much prettier that way.

Mix It Up

Sometimes I'll make these keto style with almond flour or switch up the cheese blend. Adding a little Cajun seasoning gives them a nice kick. The basic recipe is so solid you can really play with the flavors.

Common Questions

I often get asked about make ahead tips and yes you can prep everything a day in advance. Just wait to bake until right before serving. And that filling? It's amazing in other seafood dishes too!

Perfect for Any Occasion

While I love serving these during the holidays they're wonderful anytime you want to make dinner feel special. The combination of flavors and that elegant presentation never fails to impress guests.

A close-up of grilled and stuffed shrimp arranged on a dark tray. Pin it
A close-up of grilled and stuffed shrimp arranged on a dark tray. | tastygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make stuffed shrimp ahead of time?

You can prepare the stuffing and clean the shrimp up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately in the fridge and stuff the shrimp just before baking for best results.

→ What size shrimp works best for this recipe?

Large shrimp (16-20 count per pound) work best for stuffing. They're big enough to butterfly and hold a good amount of filling while cooking evenly.

→ Can I skip the crab meat in the stuffing?

Yes, you can omit the crab meat and still have a delicious stuffed shrimp. The spinach, artichoke, and cheese filling is flavorful enough on its own.

→ What's the best way to butterfly shrimp?

Cut along the outer curve of the shrimp, from head to tail, without cutting all the way through. Open the shrimp like a book, leaving the tail intact.

→ How do I know when stuffed shrimp are done cooking?

The shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque, and the stuffing is golden brown on top. This usually takes about 15 minutes at 350°F.

Conclusion

Crab stuffed shrimp is an elegant and delicious seafood dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen. By carefully butterflying large shrimp and filling them with a rich mixture of crab meat, spinach, and cheese, you create a gourmet appetizer or main course.

Stuffed Shrimp Recipe

Delicious butterflied shrimp stuffed with a rich mixture of crab meat, spinach, and cheese, then baked until golden and served with garlic butter dill sauce.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Seafood

Yield: 6 Servings (12-14 stuffed shrimp)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 2 pounds jumbo shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and butterflied.
02 2 tablespoons smoked paprika.
03 1 tablespoon olive oil.
04 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning.
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
06 1 teaspoon onion powder.
07 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs.
08 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
09 8 ounces fresh lump crab meat.
10 1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped.
11 6 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and chopped.
12 1 cup mayonnaise.
13 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
14 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
15 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs.
16 8 ounces mixed cheese (mozzarella and pepper jack).
17 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
18 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
19 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
20 Zest of one lemon.
21 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
22 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
23 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 02

Mix olive oil with smoked paprika, Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, and pepper. Coat the butterflied shrimp with this seasoning mix.

Step 03

Combine crab meat, spinach, artichokes, mayo, Dijon, Worcestershire, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and zest in a bowl.

Step 04

Fill each butterflied shrimp with a generous amount of the stuffing mixture.

Step 05

Place stuffed shrimp on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Step 06

While shrimp bakes, melt butter in a pan. Add garlic and dill, cook until fragrant.

Step 07

Drizzle shrimp with garlic dill butter sauce and serve hot.

Notes

  1. This recipe combines succulent shrimp with a rich seafood stuffing and is topped with a garlic butter sauce.
  2. You can prep the stuffing mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheet.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Small saucepan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish (shrimp, crab).
  • Dairy (cheese, butter).
  • Gluten (breadcrumbs).
  • Eggs (mayonnaise).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 267
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Protein: 22 g