If you love restaurant-style seafood, this Garlic Butter Seafood Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab recipe is one to save. Jumbo shrimp are butterflied and generously topped with tender lump crab meat, then combined with a savory garlic butter, Parmesan, panko, lemon, and Old Bay filling.
The result is a beautiful seafood dinner with juicy baked shrimp, golden crab stuffing, crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs, and plenty of garlicky butter. It looks impressive enough for a special dinner but comes together in about 30 minutes.
Whether you’re looking for an easy seafood dinner, a crab-stuffed shrimp recipe, or a special occasion meal, this baked shrimp recipe delivers plenty of flavor without requiring complicated techniques.
Why You’ll Love This Crab-Stuffed Shrimp
There are plenty of reasons this stuffed jumbo shrimp recipe deserves a place on your dinner table.
It’s quick. From preparation to serving, the recipe takes about 33 minutes.
It’s packed with seafood flavor. Jumbo shrimp and lump crab meat create a rich, satisfying combination.
The filling gets beautifully golden. Panko and Parmesan develop a delicious crust under the broiler.
Garlic butter keeps everything flavorful. The butter melts into the shrimp and crab filling as it bakes.
It’s perfect for entertaining. The individual stuffed shrimp look elegant when arranged on a serving platter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shrimp
- 6 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Crab Stuffing
- 8 ounces lump crab meat, drained and picked over
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Baking Dish
- 2 tablespoons melted garlic butter
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
Choosing the Best Shrimp
For this recipe, jumbo shrimp work particularly well because they provide enough surface area to hold a generous amount of crab stuffing.
Look for shrimp that are firm, clean-smelling, and evenly sized. Keeping the tails attached isn’t essential for flavor, but it makes the finished dish especially attractive.
If your shrimp are frozen, thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels before preparing them. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning adhere and prevents the baking dish from becoming unnecessarily watery.
What Kind of Crab Meat Should You Use?
Lump crab meat is ideal because it provides tender pieces of crab throughout the stuffing.
Before mixing the filling, drain the crab well and gently pick through it for any remaining shell fragments. Try not to break the crab into tiny pieces—the larger pieces give the stuffing a better texture.
Fresh crab can be used when available, but good-quality refrigerated or canned lump crab meat can also work well.
How to Make Garlic Butter Seafood Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab
1. Prepare the Shrimp
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Peel and devein the jumbo shrimp while leaving the tails attached. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut deeply along the back of each shrimp without cutting completely through it.
Open each shrimp gently so it lies relatively flat with the tail lifted.
Season the shrimp lightly with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Crab Filling
Place the lump crab meat in a bowl.
Add the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, and half of the melted butter.
Gently fold everything together.
The goal is to combine the ingredients without crushing the crab. The filling should be moist enough to hold together while still retaining pieces of tender crab.
3. Prepare the Baking Dish
Spread 2 tablespoons of melted garlic butter over the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange the butterflied shrimp in a single layer.
This garlic butter creates a flavorful base while the shrimp bake.
4. Stuff the Shrimp
Generously mound the crab mixture over each butterflied shrimp.
Press the filling gently so it stays in place, but don’t compact it too firmly. A slightly loose topping helps the panko become golden and crisp.
Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the crab stuffing.
5. Bake Until Cooked Through
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 to 18 minutes.
The shrimp should become opaque and the crab stuffing should be hot throughout.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size of your shrimp, so watch them carefully toward the end of baking.
6. Broil for a Golden Finish
For an especially beautiful crust, switch the oven to broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes.
Watch the dish closely because the Parmesan and panko can brown quickly.
You want the topping to become golden and lightly crisp without burning.
7. Finish With Lemon and Garlic Butter
Remove the shrimp from the oven and spoon some of the hot garlic butter from the baking dish over the stuffed shrimp.
Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.
The acidity from the lemon balances the richness of the butter and crab while making the seafood taste brighter.
Tips for Perfect Crab-Stuffed Shrimp
Don’t overmix the crab filling. Gentle folding helps preserve the tender pieces of lump crab.
Pat the shrimp dry. Excess moisture can interfere with browning.
Don’t skip the broiling step. A short burst of high heat gives the panko-Parmesan topping its beautiful golden finish.
Watch the shrimp closely. Jumbo shrimp can become rubbery when overcooked.
Use fresh lemon at the end. A squeeze of lemon just before serving adds brightness to the rich garlic butter.
Keep the stuffing slightly loose. Packing it too tightly can make the topping dense instead of tender and crisp.
What to Serve With Stuffed Shrimp
These crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp are rich and flavorful, so they’re delicious with simple sides.
Try serving them with:
- Garlic butter rice
- Steamed asparagus
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Roasted baby potatoes
- A crisp green salad
- Crusty bread
- Lemon butter pasta
- Rice pilaf
For a special seafood dinner, serve the shrimp alongside roasted vegetables and a simple salad.
Can You Prepare Stuffed Shrimp Ahead of Time?
Yes. You can prepare the crab filling and butterfly the shrimp several hours ahead of cooking.
Keep the prepared components refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble and bake them.
For the best texture, avoid leaving raw seafood at room temperature while preparing the rest of the meal.
Can You Use Smaller Shrimp?
You can, but jumbo shrimp are recommended because they’re easier to butterfly and provide enough room for the crab stuffing.
If using smaller shrimp, keep in mind that the cooking time may be shorter. Start checking them earlier rather than automatically following the full cooking time.
Can You Use Other Breadcrumbs?
Yes. Panko is particularly useful because its larger flakes create a lighter, crunchier topping.
Regular breadcrumbs can also be used, although the finished stuffing may have a finer texture.
Can You Add More Cheese?
Absolutely, although Parmesan already provides a salty, savory flavor that works particularly well with crab and garlic.
If you increase the cheese, keep the balance of the filling in mind so it doesn’t overpower the delicate seafood.
How to Store Leftover Stuffed Shrimp
Allow leftovers to cool and refrigerate them promptly in a covered container.
For the best quality, enjoy leftovers within a short period and reheat them gently until hot throughout.
Avoid repeatedly reheating seafood, as this can make the shrimp tough and dry.
What Makes This Recipe So Flavorful?
The flavor comes from several layers working together.
The jumbo shrimp provide a naturally sweet seafood base. Lump crab adds delicate richness, while garlic and butter provide the savory foundation.
Old Bay brings classic seafood seasoning, Parmesan adds salty umami, and panko creates texture. Finally, lemon cuts through the richness and keeps the finished dish tasting fresh.
It’s the combination of garlic butter, crab, Parmesan, lemon, and Old Bay that gives this recipe its restaurant-style character.
Garlic Butter Seafood Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab Recipe
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 6 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Crab Filling
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
For Baking
- 2 tablespoons melted garlic butter
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Butterfly the jumbo shrimp by cutting deeply along the back without cutting all the way through. Open them flat and leave the tails lifted.
- Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- In a bowl, gently combine the crab meat, panko, Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay, parsley, and half of the melted butter.
- Coat a baking dish with the melted garlic butter and arrange the shrimp inside.
- Generously mound the crab mixture over each shrimp.
- Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the stuffing.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and the stuffing is hot.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully, until the topping is golden.
- Spoon the garlic butter from the baking dish over the shrimp and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: Approximately 410 per serving
Protein: Approximately 35g per serving
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shrimp for crab-stuffed shrimp?
Jumbo shrimp are ideal because their size provides enough room for a generous layer of crab stuffing and makes them easy to butterfly.
What goes well with crab-stuffed shrimp?
Rice, roasted vegetables, asparagus, green beans, potatoes, salad, and crusty bread all pair well with garlic butter crab-stuffed shrimp.
How long do you bake jumbo stuffed shrimp?
At 400°F, these stuffed jumbo shrimp take approximately 15 to 18 minutes, followed by 1 to 2 minutes under the broiler for a golden topping.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw frozen shrimp completely before preparing them, then pat them dry with paper towels.
Can I use canned crab meat?
Yes. Quality lump crab meat can work well in this recipe. Drain it thoroughly and check carefully for any shell pieces before making the filling.
Why did my stuffed shrimp become tough?
Shrimp can become tough when they’re overcooked. Since shrimp size and ovens vary, begin checking them toward the end of the recommended cooking time.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Seafood Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab brings together everything you want in an impressive seafood dinner: sweet jumbo shrimp, tender crab meat, garlicky butter, golden Parmesan breadcrumbs, Old Bay seasoning, and fresh lemon.
The preparation is surprisingly simple, but the finished dish looks like something you’d expect to order at a seafood restaurant. Serve it straight from the oven while the topping is crisp and golden and the garlic butter is still bubbling around the shrimp.