Shrimp and Crab Seafood Dressing - A Classic Holiday Favorite
Stop serving dry dressing! Learn how to make the best Shrimp and Crab Seafood Dressing that stays moist and flavorful. Packed with shrimp, crab, and authentic Cajun spices
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled, deveined, chopped
- 1 pound lump crab meat picked over for shells
- 6 cups day-old French bread cubed
- 1 cup celery finely chopped
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups seafood stock or chicken stock
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Base
- Dry bread first- Cut it into even cubes so they hydrate consistently once the stock hits.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- Butter melts slowly- Add onion and celery with a pinch of salt and let them sweat, not brown—this builds sweetness without bitterness.
Step 3: Cook the Seafood
- Shrimp needs restraint- Sauté just until opaque, then remove immediately. It finishes cooking in the oven. Fold crab in gently off heat
Step 4: Build the Mixture
- Combine bread, vegetables, shrimp, and crab in a large bowl. Drizzle warm seafood stock gradually, tossing lightly.
Step 5: Bind and Rest
- Whisk and fold them in carefully. Let the mixture rest five minutes so the bread absorbs everything evenly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
- Into the oven it goes- Cover loosely for most of the bake, then uncover for a golden top.
Notes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: ~320 per serving
- Protein: 11g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Omega-3s: Naturally occurring in seafood
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 1082mg