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Giant Stuffed Crab Shrimp combines juicy jumbo shrimp with a tasty crab filling. It's great for special gatherings but still easy enough to make at home. Your guests will love both the amazing taste and beautiful presentation of this seafood dish.
What Makes This Dish So Special
You'll fall in love with how the soft shrimp pairs with the rich, perfectly seasoned crab stuffing that has just the right kick. This versatile dish works as an appetizer or main course. Baking locks in moisture for juicy shrimp while giving the stuffing a golden, flavorful crust.
What You'll Need
- Jumbo shrimp: 2 pounds, colossal or jumbo size, peeled and deveined, butterflied with tails on.
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon, to coat the shrimp.
- Old Bay seasoning: 2 teaspoons, or swap for cajun blend if you want more heat.
- Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon, to boost flavor.
- Sea salt: 1 teaspoon, for seasoning.
- Black pepper: 1 teaspoon, freshly ground.
- Crab meat: 1 pound, pick premium quality meat.
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup, for creamy texture.
- Egg: 1 large, to bind stuffing together.
- Breadcrumbs: 1/4 cup, Italian style or panko.
- Chipotle sauce: 3 tablespoons, for smoky notes.
- Butter: 4 tablespoons, melted for drizzling.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, finely chopped.
- Lemon juice: For finishing touch.
- Cilantro: 1 teaspoon, finely chopped.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Getting the shrimp ready
- Peel the shrimp but leave the tails intact. Cut along the back to butterfly them while keeping the tail attached.
- Adding flavor to the shrimp
- Toss shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper until they're evenly coated.
- Making the crab filling
- In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, egg and chipotle sauce. Gently fold in the crab meat and then the breadcrumbs.
- Filling each shrimp
- Take a tablespoon of the crab mixture and place it on each butterflied shrimp. Fold the tail over the top.
- Baking your dish
- Place stuffed shrimp in an oven-safe dish. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until shrimp are cooked through and the stuffing turns golden.
- Creating garlic butter
- Melt butter with the chopped garlic. Add chipotle sauce if you want extra flavor and drizzle over shrimp before serving.
- Serving suggestions
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. Serve as a starter or main dish.
Tips for Amazing Stuffed Shrimp
Always go for high-quality fresh or frozen shrimp. Don't put too much stuffing on each shrimp or they won't cook properly. If you don't like spicy food, cut back on the chipotle sauce or switch to a milder option.
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Storing and Warming Up Leftovers
Keep any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, warm them slowly in a 300°F oven to keep them moist and flavorful without overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What size shrimp should I get?
- Look for jumbo shrimp sized 13-15 per pound. They need to be large enough to hold the crab filling.
- → Can I prepare this early?
- Yes, you can make the stuffed shrimp up to 4 hours in advance. Refrigerate them and bring to room temperature before baking.
- → What kind of crab meat works best?
- Jumbo lump crab is perfect, but claw meat or a blend works too. Skip canned crab as it’s too watery.
- → How will I know if the shrimp is done?
- The shrimp are ready once they turn opaque and pink, and the stuffing is golden. Don’t overcook them—they’ll get rubbery.
- → What sides go with it?
- Try serving these with steamed rice, roasted veggies, or a crisp green salad. For a taco twist, add tortillas and guacamole.