Crab Stuffed Shrimp

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that tastes like it came straight from a fine seafood restaurant, these Crab Stuffed Shrimp are your answer. Plump jumbo shrimp, generously filled with a rich, savory crab stuffing, make for the kind of dish that earns you serious praise—whether it’s a holiday party, a dinner date, or just a seafood splurge at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses two seafood favorites: shrimp and crab
• Fancy presentation with easy prep
• Great for appetizers or a seafood main course
• Creamy, cheesy, buttery stuffing with a spicy kick

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crab Stuffing

• 8 oz lump crabmeat (or imitation crab, if needed)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
• ¼ cup celery, finely diced
• 2 tbsp green onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp onion, finely diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
• Creole seasoning, to taste (or Old Bay)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Shrimp

• 16 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
• More Creole seasoning, for sprinkling
• Cooking spray
• Lemon wedges, for serving

How to Make Crab Stuffed Shrimp

Prepare the Filling
Sauté onions, garlic, celery, bell pepper, and green onions in butter for 3–5 minutes until softened. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine crabmeat with seasonings, mayo, egg, cream cheese, Parmesan, crushed crackers, sautéed veggies, and parsley. Gently fold everything together—don’t overmix.

Prepare the Shrimp
Butterfly each shrimp by slicing along the underside (not all the way through), then gently open the flesh so the shrimp can sit upright with the tail curving upward.
Season lightly with Creole seasoning or salt and pepper.

Stuff and Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with foil or parchment and lightly grease.
Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of crab stuffing into each butterflied shrimp and arrange in the dish, stuffed side up. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the shrimp are cooked through.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the shrimp—check for pink flesh and a firm bite.
• Use parchment or foil for easy cleanup.
• You can make the crab mixture up to a day ahead. Keep it chilled until ready to use.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Make-ahead: You can prep the stuffing and clean the shrimp a day in advance.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven.
• Freezing is not recommended due to the creamy texture of the filling.

Serving Suggestions

Serve crab stuffed shrimp as:

• An elegant appetizer on a platter with lemon wedges
• A main course with sides like garlic mashed potatoes, buttered rice, or roasted asparagus
• Party bites with small dipping bowls of tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or remoulade

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re cooking for guests or just treating yourself, Crab Stuffed Shrimp brings big flavor with surprisingly little effort. It’s the kind of dish that makes any night feel like a special occasion—and it’s sure to have people asking for the recipe.

Yield: 12

Crab Stuffed Shrimp

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If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that tastes like it came straight from a fine seafood restaurant, these Crab Stuffed Shrimp are your answer.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225g) crab meat
• 1 large egg
• 2-3 tablespoons (28-43g) butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green onion, diced
• ¼ cup (55g) celery, diced
• ¼ cup (40g) diced onion
• ¼ cup (45g) red pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons (7-8g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (100-120g) buttery crackers, crushed
• ½-1 teaspoon (2-5g) Creole seasoning (or salt and pepper)
• 3 tablespoons (15-20g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 ounces (57g) cream cheese
• 2 pounds (900g) large shrimp, cleaned and peeled
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃).
2. Line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper and give it a light spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Add the crab meat to a large mixing bowl and season it with Creole seasoning, or simply use salt and pepper.
4. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg, mix in the mayonnaise, and gently combine. Cover this mixture and place it in the refrigerator while you prepare the other ingredients.
5. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, green onion, celery, red pepper, parsley, and another pinch of Creole seasoning. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, then transfer to a separate bowl and let it cool.
6. While the sautéed veggies cool, crush the buttery crackers into fine crumbs.
7. Once the vegetables have cooled, gently mix in the cream cheese, crushed crackers, sautéed vegetables, parmesan, and the seasoned crab mixture until everything is well combined.
8. Taste the mixture and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.
9. Lay the shrimp on a cutting board and cut a slit into the underside of each one, about three-quarters of the way through, stopping just before the tail so they can be propped upright.
10. Lightly season the shrimp with Creole seasoning and salt, if desired.
11. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crab mixture onto each shrimp. Carefully arrange them, stuffing side up, in your prepared baking dish and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
12. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the shrimp are golden and cooked through.
13. Take them out of the oven and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

• Keep an eye on the shrimp while baking to avoid overcooking. The stuffing should be set, but the shrimp should still be tender.
  
• Lining your baking pan with foil or parchment makes for quick clean-up.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 79Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 40mgSodium 138mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 8g

Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Also try these Crab recipe:-

• Thai Style Crab Fried Rice
• Boiling Crab Sauce
• Baked Crab Cakes