Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab Recipe for Fancy Dinners

Succulent holiday baked stuffed shrimp with crab represents the ultimate seafood indulgence for festive gatherings.

Elegant seafood dishes often intimidate home cooks, but this recipe breaks through those barriers with remarkable simplicity.

Delicate shrimp paired with rich, flaky crab meat create a luxurious combination that reinvents ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Sophisticated flavors mingle effortlessly, promising a culinary adventure that delights both experienced and novice cooks.

Impressive yet surprisingly straightforward, this dish brings restaurant-quality elegance directly to your dining table.

Guests will marvel at the intricate layers of flavor and professional presentation.

Culinary magic awaits those brave enough to embrace this delectable seafood sensation.

Why Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab Impresses

• Indulge in Flavor Explosion: The combination of succulent shrimp, rich crab meat, and zesty seasonings creates a mouthwatering taste experience that dances across your palate with every bite.
• Effortless Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms complex seafood preparation into an accessible dish that looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality meal, making you feel like a professional chef without extensive culinary skills.
• Perfect Holiday Showstopper: The elegant presentation and luxurious ingredients make this dish ideal for special occasions, impressing guests with minimal preparation time and maximum visual appeal.
• Quick and Convenient Cooking: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour, allowing you to create a stunning seafood dish that feels sophisticated yet is surprisingly simple to prepare.

Ingredients for Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

• Colossal or Jumbo Shrimp: Large, high-quality shrimp that provides the perfect vessel for stuffing, butterflied for easy filling and elegant presentation.
• Lump Crabmeat: Rich, sweet seafood that serves as the primary stuffing ingredient, offering delicate texture and maritime flavor.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy ingredient that helps bind the stuffing and adds richness.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps hold the stuffing together.
• Breadcrumbs: Adds texture and helps absorb moisture in the stuffing.
• Butter, Chipotle Sauce, Old Bay Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential spices and sauces that create a complex, zesty flavor profile.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that enhances seafood flavors.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds a vibrant, herbal note to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle richness.
• Garlic: Provides a warm, aromatic undertone to the overall dish.

How to Make Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 375°F. Let it heat while you prepare the star ingredients.

Step 2: Season The Seafood

• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Old Bay seasoning
• Black pepper
• Sea salt

Ensure every shrimp gets a delicious flavor massage.

Step 3: Create Creamy Crab Mixture

• Egg
• Mayonnaise
• Chipotle sauce

Gently fold in lump crab meat and breadcrumbs. Keep the mixture light and fluffy.

Step 4: Craft Elegant Seafood Packages

Spoon crab mixture onto each butterflied shrimp. Fold the tail over the top, creating beautiful little parcels.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place stuffed shrimp in an oven-safe dish. Slide into the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until shrimp turn pink and stuffing looks golden brown.

Step 6: Whip Up Zesty Garlic Butter

Melt butter with minced garlic over low heat. Consider adding extra chipotle sauce for a spicy kick.

Step 7: Finish With Flair

Drizzle warm garlic butter over baked shrimp. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and squeeze fresh lemon juice for a vibrant finish.

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips for Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

• Butterfly with Care: Carefully slice shrimp without cutting completely through, ensuring a flat surface for even stuffing and beautiful presentation.
• Avoid Overmixing Stuffing: Gently fold crab and breadcrumbs to maintain delicate meat texture and prevent dense, tough filling.
• Temperature Check: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm shrimp reaches 145°F, guaranteeing perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Breadcrumb Boost: Toast breadcrumbs briefly before mixing to enhance nutty flavor and provide extra crispiness to the stuffing.
• Flavor Layer Strategy: Season shrimp and stuffing separately to create multiple taste dimensions in each delectable bite.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover stuffed shrimp to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat in Oven: Warm stuffed shrimp at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. This method helps preserve the tender texture and keeps the crab stuffing moist.
• Avoid Microwave: Skip microwave reheating as it can make shrimp rubbery and compromise the delicate crab stuffing's texture. Stick to oven reheating for the best results.

Perfect Pairings for Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

• Craft a Wine Harmony: Pair this luxurious seafood dish with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay, which complements the delicate crab and shrimp flavors while cutting through the rich garlic butter.
• Select Perfect Side Companions: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or a light quinoa salad to balance the richness of the stuffed shrimp, adding fresh texture and nutritional depth to the meal.
• Create Zesty Dipping Adventure: Whip up a quick chipotle aioli or citrus remoulade sauce for extra flavor excitement, allowing guests to customize their bite with a tangy, spicy kick that enhances the seafood's natural sweetness.
• Match with Sparkling Refreshment: Consider a dry prosecco or sparkling white wine to cleanse the palate between bites, providing a celebratory touch that elevates the entire dining experience with its effervescent charm.

Twists on Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab

• Seafood Medley Edition: Replace half the crab meat with chopped scallops or lobster chunks for a luxurious seafood blend that elevates the original recipe's flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced jalapeños and swap chipotle sauce for habanero sauce to create a fiery version that packs extra heat and excitement into the stuffed shrimp.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Mix fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley into the crab stuffing, then top with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation that brings vibrant Mediterranean coastal flavors to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Crispy Option: Replace traditional breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour, maintaining the crispy texture while making the recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.

Holiday Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crab Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent holiday baked stuffed shrimp elevate coastal cuisine with luxurious crab filling. Festive flavors blend seamlessly, promising an elegant seafood experience that will impress dinner guests.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein Ingredients:

• 2 pounds colossal or jumbo shrimp (13–15 count per pound), peeled, deveined, and butterflied
• 1 pound lump crabmeat (jumbo lump, claw, or lump crabmeat can be used)

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning (or a medium heat Cajun seasoning)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons chipotle sauce (or chipotles in adobo, blended)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice, for garnish
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro, for garnish

Binding and Texture Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian, panko, or buttery cracker crumbs)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Set the oven temperature to 375°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the delicate seafood preparation.
2. Butterfly the shrimp, massaging them with olive oil, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and sea salt to develop a robust flavor profile.
3. Create the crab stuffing by whisking egg, mayonnaise, and chipotle sauce into a smooth base, then gently incorporating lump crab meat and breadcrumbs to achieve a light, cohesive mixture.
4. Carefully place a generous spoonful of crab stuffing onto each shrimp, folding the tail elegantly over the filling to create a compact, appetizing package.
5. Position the stuffed shrimp in a single layer within an oven-safe skillet, ensuring each piece has adequate space for even cooking.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the shrimp turn opaque and the stuffing develops a golden-brown crust.
7. Simultaneously prepare a luxurious garlic butter by gently melting butter with minced garlic, optionally enhancing with an extra splash of chipotle sauce for depth.
8. Remove the shrimp from the oven and generously drizzle with the aromatic garlic butter.
9. Finish the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro and a vibrant squeeze of lemon juice, balancing the rich flavors and adding a bright, fresh touch.

Notes

• Preparation requires minimal kitchen skills but delivers maximum flavor impact, making it an impressive yet straightforward dish.
• Selecting fresh, high-quality seafood is crucial for achieving the best taste and texture in this festive recipe.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg