Festive Crab-Stuffed Shrimp: A Jolly Holiday Recipe

Rich, succulent holiday baked stuffed shrimp with crab will make your festive table shine with elegance and flavor.

Seafood lovers understand the magic of perfectly blended ingredients that create an unforgettable appetizer.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of tender shrimp and delicate crab meat.

The creamy filling melds harmoniously with delicate herbs and seasonings that complement the seafood’s natural sweetness.

Guests will marvel at this impressive dish that looks complicated but comes together with surprising ease.

Impress everyone at your next gathering with this show-stopping recipe that turns an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience.

Dive into this luxurious seafood creation and watch as your dinner guests request seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Total Time: 40-45 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 9

Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Ingredients Breakdown

• Colossal or Jumbo Shrimp: Select plump, fresh shrimp with a sweet ocean aroma, ensuring they're properly deveined and butterflied for elegant presentation.
• Lump Crabmeat: Choose high-quality, fresh crabmeat with minimal shell fragments, providing rich, delicate seafood flavor and luxurious texture.

• Olive Oil, Old Bay Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Create a vibrant spice blend that elevates the seafood's natural sweetness and adds depth to the dish.
• Chipotle Sauce, Butter, Minced Garlic: Introduce smoky, rich undertones and a silky, aromatic dimension to the stuffed shrimp.

• Mayonnaise, Egg, Breadcrumbs: Form a creamy, crisp stuffing that holds the delicate crabmeat together while providing a golden, crunchy exterior.
• Lemon Juice, Cilantro: Offer bright, fresh finishing notes that cut through the richness and add a final zesty touch.

Tools for Baked Stuffed Shrimp Perfection

• Baking Dish or Oven-Safe Skillet: Essential for baking the stuffed shrimp evenly and creating a beautiful presentation.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for tossing and seasoning the shrimp with oil and spices.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for preparing the delicate crab stuffing mixture.
• Whisk: Great for blending egg, mayonnaise, and chipotle sauce smoothly.
• Saucepan: Necessary for melting butter and creating the garlic butter sauce.
• Cutting Board: Useful for any minor ingredient preparation.
• Tablespoon: Helps measure and distribute crab stuffing precisely.
• Chef's Knife: Helpful for chopping cilantro and any final garnish preparation.

Instructions for Baking Crab-Stuffed Shrimp

• Oven Warmup

Set the oven to toasty 375°F. This preps the cooking space for delicious seafood magic.

• Shrimp Seasoning

Drizzle fresh shrimp with zesty spices, coating each morsel with flavor-packed goodness. Mix olive oil, garlic, and sea salt to create a mouthwatering base.

• Crab Mixture

Blend creamy elements like egg and mayo into a silky sauce. Gently fold in delicate crab chunks and light breadcrumbs, creating a fluffy stuffing.

• Shrimp Assembly

Carefully place spoonfuls of crab blend onto each butterflied shrimp. Curl the tail over the filling, crafting elegant seafood packages.

• Baking Moment

Nestle stuffed shrimp in a baking dish. Cook for 20-25 minutes until golden and perfectly cooked, filling the kitchen with irresistible ocean aromas.

• Garlic Drizzle

Melt butter with minced garlic, creating a luxurious sauce. A hint of spice transforms the dish into a gourmet experience.

• Final Touch

Shower the baked shrimp with garlic butter. Sprinkle fresh cilantro and squeeze bright lemon juice for a zesty finish that awakens every flavor.

Creative Variations for Your Shrimp Dish

• Seafood Savvy: Learn how to select the freshest shrimp by looking for firm, translucent meat with a mild ocean scent, avoiding any fishy or ammonia-like odors.
• Crab Meat Magic: Splurge on high-quality lump crab meat for the most luxurious stuffing, or substitute with more budget-friendly canned crab if needed – both work wonderfully.
• Spice Adventure: Swap Old Bay seasoning with Cajun blend for a zippier kick, or experiment with smoked paprika for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that'll make taste buds dance.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the stuffed shrimp up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, then bake just before serving to save time during holiday entertaining without sacrificing freshness.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Replace traditional breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal to create a delicious alternative that's friendly for those with dietary restrictions.

Present Stuffed Shrimp for Festive Occasions

• Festive Seafood Companion: Pair this luxurious shrimp dish with crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich seafood flavors.
• Refreshing Side Kick: Serve alongside a light Mediterranean-style salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the stuffed shrimp.
• Elegant Plating Presentation: Arrange the golden-brown stuffed shrimp on a large white platter, garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped herbs to create a stunning visual appeal that will impress dinner guests during holiday gatherings.
• Texture Contrast Delight: Add a crunchy element like toasted garlic breadcrumbs or a small portion of herbed rice pilaf to provide a delightful textural contrast to the tender shrimp and creamy crab stuffing.

Store Stuffed Shrimp and Keep It Tasty

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover stuffed shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the refrigerator's coldest section, typically the back, to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated shrimp gently in a preheated oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the seafood rubbery and compromise its delicate texture and flavor profile.
• Freezing Wisdom: Separate individual portions in freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Frozen stuffed shrimp can last up to 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the original taste and quality.
• Freshness Tracking: Label containers with the preparation date to monitor storage duration. Consume refrigerated shrimp within 1-2 days for the best taste and food safety. Always check for any unusual odors or discoloration before consuming leftover seafood dishes.

Festive Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Succulent holiday baked stuffed shrimp nestled with luscious crab meat create an elegant seafood centerpiece. Coastal New England flavors meld perfectly, promising a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with delightful anticipation.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) colossal or jumbo shrimp (13–15 count per pound), peeled, deveined, and butterflied
• 1 lb (454 g) lump crabmeat (jumbo lump, claw, or lump crabmeat can be used)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian, panko, or buttery cracker crumbs)
• 4 tbsps butter, melted
• 2 tsps Old Bay seasoning (or a medium heat Cajun seasoning)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps chipotle sauce (or chipotles in adobo, blended)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice, for garnish
• 1 tsp finely chopped cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F, establishing an optimal thermal environment for the seafood delicacy.
2. Flavor Infusion: Butterfly shrimp and coat with olive oil, seasoning comprehensively using garlic powder, Old Bay, black pepper, and sea salt to create a robust flavor foundation.
3. Crab Stuffing Construction: Blend egg, mayonnaise, and chipotle sauce into a smooth emulsion, then delicately fold in lump crab meat and breadcrumbs to craft a light, textured filling.
4. Assembly: Distribute crab stuffing atop each shrimp, elegantly draping the tail over the filling to create compact, visually appealing parcels.
5. Baking Process: Arrange stuffed shrimp in a single layer within an oven-safe skillet, ensuring adequate spacing for uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking.
6. Thermal Transformation: Roast for 20-25 minutes, tracking until shrimp turn translucent and stuffing develops a golden, crisp exterior.
7. Complementary Sauce: Concurrently prepare garlic butter by gently melting butter with minced garlic, optionally introducing an additional chipotle sauce splash for enhanced complexity.
8. Finishing Touches: Extract shrimp from oven, lavishly drizzle with aromatic garlic butter, then garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a bright lemon juice accent to elevate the dish’s sensory profile.

Notes

• Prep Seafood Perfectly: Butterfly shrimp carefully to maximize stuffing capacity and ensure even cooking, creating an elegant presentation.
• Season Strategically: Balance spices like Old Bay, garlic powder, and black pepper to enhance natural seafood flavors without overwhelming delicate meat.
• Monitor Cooking Carefully: Watch shrimp closely during roasting to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain tender and opaque with a golden-brown stuffing crust.
• Elevate with Finishing Touches: Drizzle warm garlic butter and sprinkle fresh cilantro just before serving to add vibrant flavor and professional restaurant-style appeal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg