Gourmet Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Rich Crabmeat Filling
Every Christmas Eve, our family gathers around the table to enjoy this exquisite dish, which holds a special place in our hearts. This recipe elevates traditional baked stuffed shrimp, steering clear of the overly buttery, cracker-laden varieties found in restaurants. Instead, we create a delightful filling using fresh lump crabmeat, aromatic vegetables, and a blend of seasonings that infuses each shrimp with savory and zesty flavors. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, and just a hint of hot sauce creates a harmonious balance that beautifully complements the sweetness of the crabmeat. As they bake to a golden perfection, these succulent stuffed shrimp make for an elegant centerpiece for any festive meal, not just limited to Christmas but also perfect for any special occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh lump crabmeat
1 lb (Shells removed (or 2 cans of canned crabmeat if fresh isn't available))
Cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning
2 teaspoons ((or to taste) (optional))
Butter
4 tablespoons (Plus 3 tablespoons melted)
Onion
1/2 cup (Minced)
Celery
1/4 cup (Minced)
Green bell pepper
1/4 cup (Minced)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (Minced)
Mayonnaise
1/4 cup ( )
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons ( )
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ( )
Hot sauce
1 tablespoon ( )
Buttery crackers
1 cup (Crushed)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon ( )
Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ( )
U-12 shrimp or jumbo shrimp
2 lbs (Shelled, deveined, and butterflied)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2
Prepare your baking dish by lining it with foil and greasing it with butter or a non-stick cooking spray.
3
In a large bowl, gently place the lump crabmeat and season it with Cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning, along with salt and pepper to your taste. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the stuffing.
4
In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté while stirring until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 4 minutes.
5
Stir in the chopped parsley and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool.
6
Once cooled, fold the sautéed vegetable mixture into the seasoned crabmeat, being careful to maintain the integrity of the crab.
7
Gently stir in the mayonnaise, beaten egg, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce until just combined.
8
Add in 1 cup of crushed buttery crackers, together with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir lightly to integrate without breaking up the crabmeat too much.
9
Carefully stuff each butterflied shrimp with approximately 2 tablespoons of this rich crabmeat filling, placing them in the prepared baking dish with the stuffed sides facing up.
10
Drizzle the remaining melted butter evenly over the stuffed shrimp.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the shrimp are golden and cooked through. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gourmet Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Rich Crabmeat Filling?
This is an elegant seafood dish featuring jumbo butterflied shrimp filled with a savory mixture of fresh lump crabmeat, aromatic vegetables, and seasonings, baked until golden.
What type of crabmeat is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of fresh lump crabmeat with the shells removed for the best flavor and texture.
Can I use canned crabmeat if fresh is not available?
Yes, you can substitute fresh crab with two cans of canned crabmeat if fresh lump crabmeat is unavailable.
What size of shrimp should be used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of U-12 shrimp or jumbo shrimp to ensure they are large enough to hold the rich stuffing.
How should the shrimp be prepared before stuffing?
The shrimp should be shelled, deveined, and butterflied to create a proper space for the crabmeat filling.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for baking the stuffed shrimp.
How long do you bake the stuffed shrimp?
Bake the shrimp in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the shrimp are golden and cooked through.
What kind of seasonings are used for the crabmeat?
The crabmeat is seasoned with Cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning, along with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Which aromatic vegetables are included in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes minced onion, celery, and green bell pepper, which provide savory and zesty flavors.
Do you need to sauté the vegetables before adding them to the crab?
Yes, the onion, celery, and green bell pepper should be sautéed in butter until softened, which takes about 4 minutes.
When should the garlic and parsley be added during the cooking process?
Stir in the chopped parsley and minced garlic after the other vegetables have softened, cooking for just one additional minute until fragrant.
How do you prevent the lump crabmeat from breaking apart?
Fold the sautéed vegetable mixture and crackers into the crabmeat gently to maintain the integrity and texture of the crab lumps.
What ingredients act as binders for the crabmeat filling?
The filling is bound together using a combination of mayonnaise, one beaten egg, and crushed buttery crackers.
What liquids are added to the stuffing for extra flavor?
Fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce are added to create a harmonious balance that complements the sweetness of the crab.
What type of crackers should be used for the stuffing?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of crushed buttery crackers to integrate the filling without overpowering it.
How much filling should be placed in each shrimp?
Carefully stuff each butterflied shrimp with approximately 2 tablespoons of the rich crabmeat filling.
How should the shrimp be arranged in the baking dish?
Place the stuffed shrimp in the prepared baking dish with the stuffed sides facing up to ensure the filling browns nicely.
Do you add any extra butter before baking the shrimp?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of melted butter should be drizzled evenly over the stuffed shrimp just before they are placed in the oven.
How do you prepare the baking dish for this recipe?
The baking dish should be lined with foil and greased with butter or a non-stick cooking spray.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday celebrations?
Yes, it is a traditional Christmas Eve favorite and makes for an elegant centerpiece for any festive meal or special occasion.
What makes this recipe different from restaurant-style stuffed shrimp?
This recipe avoids the overly buttery, cracker-heavy fillers found in restaurants, focusing instead on fresh crab and aromatic seasonings.
Is this stuffed shrimp recipe spicy?
It has a hint of heat from the hot sauce and Cajun seasoning, but it is primarily designed to be savory and zesty.
Why is it important to use fresh lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice provides a zesty acidity that balances the richness of the butter and highlights the natural sweetness of the crabmeat.
How much total butter is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons for sautéing the vegetables and another 3 tablespoons for drizzling, totaling 7 tablespoons.
Can I use different colored bell peppers?
While the recipe calls for green bell pepper, you can use other varieties, though green bell pepper is traditional for this flavor profile.
Should the sautéed vegetables be cooled before mixing with the crab?
Yes, you should allow the sautéed vegetable mixture to cool before folding it into the seasoned crabmeat to prevent the crab from cooking prematurely.
Is this considered a Southern-style dish?
Yes, based on the ingredients and tags, this recipe is categorized as Southern cooking.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, these stuffed shrimp are tagged as an appetizer and are perfect for serving at parties or as a first course.
What is the key to achieving a golden perfection on the shrimp?
The combination of the buttery cracker topping and the drizzled melted butter, baked at 375 degrees, helps the shrimp reach a golden finish.
Should the stuffed shrimp be served immediately?
For the best flavor and texture, the shrimp should be served immediately once they are cooked through.