Every now and then, you make a dish that feels like it belongs on the cover of a restaurant menu — and crab stuffed lobster is one of those. This isn’t just dinner; it’s the kind of meal that makes people stop mid-bite and say, “Wow.”
The first time I made this was for a family holiday dinner, and I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. Lobster feels like the sort of thing that only chefs in tall hats should handle. But once I realized how simple it is to prep and cook, I was hooked. Add in rich crab stuffing and a shrimp garnish, and suddenly you’ve got a seafood triple play that will have everyone talking.
Why This Recipe Always Impresses
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It’s three seafood favorites in one – tender lobster, sweet lump crab, and juicy shrimp.
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Looks restaurant-worthy but you can make it at home without fuss.
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Versatile cooking – grill, smoke, or bake it in the oven.
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Perfect for special occasions when you really want to spoil your guests (or yourself).
What You’ll Need
Lobster
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Lobster tails – fresh if you can find them, thawed if frozen.
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Chipotle garlic seasoning – smoky with a little warmth.
Crab Stuffing
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Lump crab meat – fresh, high-quality crab makes all the difference.
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Mayonnaise – for creaminess and binding.
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Panko breadcrumbs – adds structure and light crunch.
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Dijon mustard – a subtle kick that pairs beautifully with seafood.
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Hot sauce (optional) – just enough for a gentle zing.
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Scallions & cilantro – freshness to balance the richness.
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Seafood seasoning – Old Bay works great here.
Shrimp Garnish
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Large shrimp – peeled, deveined, and ready to cook.
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Smoky seasoning blend – chipotle or a mix you enjoy.
Garlic Butter
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Clarified butter – rich flavor, resists burning.
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Garlic paste – bold and aromatic.
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Chopped scallions – mild onion note to finish.
How I Make It
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Mix the crab stuffing – Combine crab meat, mayo, panko, Dijon, hot sauce (if using), scallions, cilantro, and seafood seasoning. Stir gently so the crab stays in nice chunks.
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Prep the shrimp – Season lightly with your smoky spice blend.
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Butterfly the lobster – With kitchen shears, cut along the top shell, pull the meat out, and rest it on top of the shell. Make shallow slits in the meat so the seasoning clings better. Season generously.
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Assemble – Spoon the crab mixture onto each lobster tail, then nestle a few shrimp on top.
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Cook –
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On the grill/smoker: Medium-high heat until the lobster turns opaque and shrimp are cooked through.
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In the oven: 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F.
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Finish – Drizzle with garlic butter and serve right away.
My Cooking Notes
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An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of lobster.
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If you want a cleaner look, tuck the tail fins under before stuffing.
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For the garlic butter, I like to make a little extra — it’s amazing on bread or vegetables served alongside.
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This is a rich dish, so plan lighter sides to keep the plate balanced.
Serving Ideas
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Light & fresh: lemony green salad, roasted asparagus, or a citrusy slaw.
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Comfort sides: garlic mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or creamed spinach.
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Always serve with warm crusty bread to soak up all the juices.
Storing & Reheating
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Cool completely, remove meat from shells, and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Reheat gently in a covered dish at 350°F for 10–12 minutes to prevent drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, you can prep the stuffed lobster earlier in the day and refrigerate it, then cook just before serving.
Do I have to use shrimp on top?
Not at all — the lobster and crab are plenty indulgent on their own.
What if I can’t find lump crab?
Backfin crab meat works too, though it has smaller flakes.
Can I use frozen lobster tails?
Yes, just thaw them completely in the fridge before cooking.
How long does it take start to finish?
About 45 minutes total, including prep and cooking.
Crab Stuffed and Baked Lobster Tails
Juicy lobster tails, packed with a savory crab mixture and topped with tender shrimp, make this dish a show-stopping centerpiece for any celebration.
Ingredients
Lobster:
- 5–6 lobster tails
- 1½ tablespoons chipotle garlic seasoning (or your preferred seafood seasoning)
Crab Stuffing:
- 2 cups lump crab, shredded
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
Shrimp:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1½ tablespoons smoked chipotle mezcal seasoning (or seafood seasoning)
Garlic Butter:
- ½ cup clarified butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
Instructions
- Prepare the Crab Stuffing: In a large bowl, combine crab, mayonnaise, panko, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, scallions, cilantro, and seafood seasoning. Mix until the texture holds together like a crab cake. Adjust with extra mayo for creaminess or more panko for crunch.
- Season the Shrimp: In a separate bowl, toss shrimp with chipotle mezcal or your favorite seafood seasoning. Set aside.
- Prep the Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut along the top of each lobster shell down to the tail, avoiding the meat. Gently loosen the meat from the shell with a spoon, lift it out, and rest it on top while keeping it attached at the base. Make shallow lengthwise cuts in the meat. Brush with oil and season generously.
- Stuff and Assemble: Shape 2–3 oz of crab mixture into a flat oval and place it over each lobster tail. Arrange 2–3 seasoned shrimp on top, securing with toothpicks if necessary. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Smoke the Lobster: Preheat smoker to 375°F (190°C). Arrange lobster tails on the grates and cook indirectly for 15–20 minutes, or until meat is opaque and reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Make the Garlic Butter: About 10 minutes before the lobster is done, melt clarified butter in a skillet on the smoker. Stir in garlic paste and scallions, mixing well. Brush over the lobster tails before removing them from the heat. Reserve some butter for dipping.
- Finish and Serve: Let lobster rest for 2 minutes, then drizzle with more garlic butter and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve immediately for the ultimate seafood experience.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1717Total Fat 58gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 35gCholesterol 970mgSodium 3626mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 238g
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.
Final Thoughts
Crab stuffed lobster is one of those recipes that looks extravagant but is surprisingly easy once you break it down. It’s all about using the best ingredients you can find and cooking them just enough to bring out their natural sweetness. Whether you’re celebrating a big occasion or simply craving something special, this is the kind of dish that makes the moment memorable — and might just earn you a standing ovation at the dinner table.
