Delicious Crab Stuffed Shrimp recipe made with butterflied shrimp filled with savory crab meat, peppers and seasonings. The perfect appetizer or main course for seafood lovers, ideal for special occasions or weeknight dinners.
We love making this shrimp dish for a date night in! Serve with a delicious drink like this French Blonde Cocktail and these super easy to make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Crab Stuffed Shrimp Recipe
Not only is this Crab Stuffed Shrimp insanely delicious, it’s definitely a meal that makes someone feel special when you make it for them. Making any seafood dinner at home always feels fancy, even when it’s a 5 minute recipe like our popular Parmesan Crusted Haddock.
- Less Expensive Than Going Out: Making a shrimp dinner at home is going to be way more affordable than going out to eat. For this recipe we try to find shrimp when it’s on sale and freeze it for when we need it.
- Special Feels: Whether it’s a date night in, a birthday or a holiday, this stuffed shrimp is definitely worthy or a special occasion.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the shrimp and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop them in the oven. All you need is about 15 minutes until the shrimp are ready to serve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
A photo of the primary ingredients you’ll need, minus the basics like salt and pepper. For a complete list of ingredients with amounts needed, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
After the photo we’ll talk about a few of the noteworthy ingredients, why they work in this recipe and also substitutions if applicable.
- Large or Jumbo Shrimp: We’re looking for a 21-25 or a 26-30 count on the shrimp. They need to be large enough that you can butterfly them and hold the crab filling.
- Crab Meat: You don’t need to buy lump crab meat, either claw or special.
- Bell Peppers: Any color you like, add a sweet flavor and texture to the crab meat filling.
- Onions: Sweet yellow onions are preferred but you can also use a shallot or a red onion.
- Lemon: Both fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are needed, so you do need a lemon here, not bottled lemon juice.
- Parmesan Cheese: You can omit the cheese if you like, but we love the tangy flavor that it adds to the filling.
- Mayonnaise: Full fat mayo is always best for it’s rich flavor and better texture than light or non-fat versions.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seasoning for seafood that works really great in this recipe.
- Egg: Used to help bind the crab meat filling together so that it doesn’t fall apart after baking.
How To Make Crab Stuffed Shrimp
Step by step photos here with brief instructions for a visual aid. For complete, detailed instructions, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Cook Peppers & Onions: Cook diced bell peppers and onions in a skillet until softened. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Make The Crab Filling: Add the crab meat, mayonnaise, egg, breadcrumbs, Old Bay, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest and the cooled peppers and onions. Mix together to combine.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Use a small knife to slice a line down the back of the shrimp (where the vein was removed). Butterfly the shrimp, cutting into the shrimp but not all the way through. Open the shrimp halves so that the shrimp lays flat, with the tail end up.
- Bake: Butter a baking dish large enough to hold all of the shrimp, any shape will do. Add the shrimp to the dish in a single layer. Break apart some butter, placing all around the dish. Cut lemon wedges and squeeze the juice all over the top of the shrimp.
How To Serve
This Crab Stuffed Shrimp is so versatile, you can set the dish on the table and serve for appetizers with bread for dipping. Or you can serve these shrimp as a main course with a salad, pasta or rice side dish.
Just be sure to serve the shrimp hot from the oven for best results!
Side Dish Ideas
If you’re serving this seafood dish for appetizers, a nice loaf of bread to soak up the lemon butter sauce will do. However, if you’re serving this crab stuffed shrimp as the main course, here are some serving suggestions:
- Caesar Salad
- Spicy Mushroom Rice
- Balsamic Roasted Asparagus
- Sweet Cornbread Recipe
- Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
Looking For More Shrimp Recipes?
- Breaded Shrimp Recipe
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Baked Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp and Broccoli Bow Ties
- Tequila Shrimp Quesadillas
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Crab Stuffed Shrimp
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDelicious Crab Stuffed Shrimp is perfect for special occasions or a date night at home! Butterflied shrimp stuffed with crab meat and peppers, drizzled with lemon and butter.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined with tails left on)
- 2 lemons
- 4 tablespoons butter
For The Crab Meat Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup diced green pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red pepper
- 1 pound crab meat, drained and picked through for any shells (special or claw)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large lemon (use for zest and juice, about 1/2 a teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of juice)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Use a small knife to slice a line down the back of the shrimp (where the vein was removed). Butterfly the shrimp, cutting into the shrimp but not all the way through. Open the shrimp halves so that the shrimp lays flat, with the tail end up. (see the photos in the post for reference)
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the peppers and onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Set aside to cool.
- Add the crab meat, mayonnaise, egg, breadcrumbs, Old Bay, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest and the cooled peppers and onions. Mix together to combine.
- Take a heaping tablespoon of the crab meat filling and form it into a ball. Place onto the flat part of the butterflied shrimp and fold the tail over. (see the photos in the post for reference) Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
- Butter a baking dish large enough to hold all of the shrimp in a single layer, any shape will do. Add the stuffed shrimp to the dish. Break apart the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, placing all around the dish. Cut the 2 whole lemons into wedges and squeeze the juice all over the top of the shrimp.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes. The shrimp should be opaque and the crab filling set. Remove from the oven and serve, spooning the lemon and butter from the dish over the shrimp.
- Garnish with more Old Bay seasoning and fresh parsley if desired.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
