Crab Shrimp Stuffed Salmon Gourmet Home Feast
Main Dishes

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon: A Gourmet Home Feast!

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon is the kind of showstopper meal that looks like it came from a high-end seafood restaurant but is surprisingly easy to pull off at home. It features juicy salmon fillets filled to the brim with a rich, savory mix of lump crab meat, tender shrimp, cream cheese, and Cajun spices.

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon

Sometimes you need a dinner that feels like a celebration. Whether it’s an anniversary, a holiday, or just a Tuesday where you deserve something incredible, this Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon delivers.

Imagine cutting into a perfectly roasted, flaky salmon fillet to reveal a creamy, decadent center loaded with sweet crab and shrimp. The richness of the stuffing—seasoned with Old Bay and brightened with lemon—balances beautifully with the tender fish. It’s savory, buttery, and undeniably impressive.

If you love seafood dinners that feel luxurious but don’t require a culinary degree, this recipe is for you. It’s a seafood main course (dish type: entree), featuring salmon, lump crab meat, shrimp, cream cheese, and Cajun seasonings, baked until golden and bubbling.

Let’s get started.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish is the definition of “gourmet made simple”.

  • Restaurant quality at home: You get three types of seafood in one bite, just like the pricier entrees at your favorite steakhouse.
  • Surprisingly fast: Despite looking fancy, it preps in about 15 minutes and bakes in under 20.
  • High-protein power: It’s packed with lean protein from the salmon, crab, and shrimp, making it filling and nutritious.
  • Creamy and flavorful: The cream cheese and mayo binder keeps the stuffing moist and rich, so the seafood never tastes dry.
  • Versatile presentation: Serve it plated individually for elegance, or on a big platter for a family-style feast.
Crab Shrimp Stuffed Salmon Gourmet Home Feast

Ingredients

Quality seafood makes all the difference here. Splurge on good lump crab meat if you can—it’s worth it.

IngredientApprox. quantityFriendly notes
Salmon fillets4 (6-8 oz each)Thicker fillets are easier to stuff; skin-on or off works ​.
Lump crab meat6-8 ozPick through for shells; lump meat has the best texture ​.
Raw shrimp, peeled & deveined8-10 largeChop them into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly inside the stuffing ​.
Cream cheese, softened4 ozThe glue that holds the delicious filling together ​.
Mayonnaise2 tbspAdds creaminess and helps bind the crab cake-like mixture ​.
Old Bay seasoning1-2 tspThe classic seafood spice blend you can’t skip ​.
Cajun seasoning1 tspAdds a little kick of heat to the salmon rub ​.
Garlic powder1 tspSavory depth for both the fish and the filling ​.
Onion powder1 tspComplements the garlic and seafood flavors ​.
Fresh parsley2 tbspAdds color and freshness to cut the richness ​.
Lemon juice1 tbspBrightens up the heavy cream cheese filling ​.
Parmesan cheese (optional)1/4 cupAdds a salty, savory bite to the stuffing ​.
Butter, melted2 tbspFor basting the salmon before or after baking ​.

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  • “Raw salmon fillets slit open and stuffed generously with crab and shrimp mixture”

Step-by-Step Instructions

The process is simpler than it looks: Mix, slit, stuff, and bake. Here is how to assemble your seafood feast.

Prep the salmon. Rinse the fillets and pat them completely dry. Using a sharp knife, cut a slit down the center of each fillet lengthwise, creating a pocket. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom skin.
Tip: If your fillets are thin, you can butterfly them (slice horizontally from the side) instead of cutting from the top.

Season the fish. Rub the salmon fillets all over with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and paprika.​
Tip: Seasoning the inside of the pocket ensures flavor in every bite, not just on the surface.

Make the stuffing. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, chopped raw shrimp, lump crab meat, Parmesan (if using), parsley, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Mix gently so you don’t break up the crab lumps too much.
Tip: Ensure the cream cheese is room temperature, or it will be impossible to mix smoothly.

Stuff the fillets. Generously spoon the crab and shrimp mixture into the pockets of each salmon fillet. It’s okay if it mounds up over the top—that’s the “stuffed” look you want!
Tip: Press the filling in gently so it stays put during baking.

Bake. Place the stuffed fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon.
Tip: The salmon should flake easily with a fork, and the shrimp inside the stuffing should be pink and opaque.

Broil (Optional). If you like a golden crust on your stuffing, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Tip: This step adds a nice texture contrast to the creamy filling.

Finish and serve. Drizzle the baked salmon with melted butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with more parsley and serve hot.​

Tips for Success

These small details ensure your stuffed salmon comes out moist and flavorful every time.

  • Don’t overcook the salmon: Salmon cooks quickly. Once it turns opaque and flakes, pull it out. Overcooked salmon is dry and chalky.
  • Chop the shrimp small: Since the shrimp is inside the stuffing, large pieces might not cook through as fast as the salmon. Chop them into 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Use room temp cream cheese: Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy stuffing that doesn’t blend well with the delicate crab.​
  • Pat the seafood dry: Excess water from the rinsed salmon or the shrimp can make the stuffing watery. Dry everything well with paper towels.
  • Pick the crab meat: Even high-quality lump crab can have small shell fragments. Give it a quick check before mixing.

Variations & Substitutions

Customize this gourmet meal to fit your taste or what’s in your fridge.

Spinach & Artichoke

Add chopped spinach and artichoke hearts to the cream cheese mixture for a dip-inspired stuffing.​

Spicy Cajun

Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños and extra Cayenne pepper to the stuffing mix.

Mix Panko breadcrumbs into the stuffing or sprinkle them on top before baking for a crab-cake-like texture.

Dairy-Free Option

Skip the cheese and cream cheese. Use mayonnaise and an egg binder with breadcrumbs for a Maryland-style crab cake stuffing instead.

What to Serve With It

This rich main dish needs simple, light sides to balance it out.

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food pairing that soaks up the lemon butter.
  • Roasted Asparagus or Broccolini: Bright green veggies add color and crunch.
  • Rice Pilaf: A light, fluffy grain side that won’t overpower the seafood.
  • Caesar Salad: The crisp romaine and tangy dressing cut through the creamy richness.

Storage & Reheating

Seafood is best enjoyed fresh, but you can save leftovers for a day.

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Reheat: Place on a baking sheet and warm in a 275°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Microwave: Use low power in short bursts to avoid exploding the stuffing or drying out the fish.
Crab Shrimp Stuffed Salmon Gourmet Home Feast

Nutrition Facts

This is a rich, high-protein meal. Nutrition estimates are per stuffed fillet.

Nutrition (est.)Amount
Calories580
Protein48 g
Carbs4 g
Fat38 g
Fiber1 g
Sugar2 g
Sodium850 mg

Diet notes: This recipe is naturally Keto-friendly and low-carb (if you skip breadcrumbs).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even gourmet recipes have pitfalls. Watch out for these.

  • Cutting too deep: If you slice through the bottom of the salmon, the stuffing will leak out during baking.
  • Overfilling: While we love a stuffed look, packing it too tight can cause the fillet to split open completely.
  • Using pre-cooked shrimp: If you use cooked shrimp in the stuffing, they will turn rubbery by the time the salmon is done. Stick to raw.
  • Forgetting to season the inside: The filling has flavor, but the inside of the salmon meat needs salt and Cajun spice too.​

FAQ

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Yes! You can stuff the salmon fillets earlier in the day, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Add a few minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it very dry before stuffing. Frozen salmon tends to hold more water.

What if I don’t like cream cheese?

You can make a mayo-based stuffing (like a crab cake) using mayonnaise, egg, and breadcrumbs instead of the cream cheese mixture.

How do I know when the stuffing is cooked?

The shrimp in the mix should be pink and firm, and the filling should be hot in the center (145°F internal temp is safe for seafood).

Can I use imitation crab?

Technically yes, but real lump crab meat gives a much better flavor and texture for this type of dish. Imitation crab can get mushy.

Conclusion

If you want to impress a date, treat your family, or just enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without leaving the house, this Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon is the answer. It’s elegant, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to master.

Try it for your next special occasion dinner and let me know what you served on the side! If you loved this, try my Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs Recipe next for another seafood favorite.

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon: A Gourmet Home Feast!

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon: A Gourmet Home Feast!

Recipe by Author

Experience the richness of crab and shrimp combined with the elegance of salmon in this gourmet dish. Succulent seafood stuffing nestled within perfectly cooked salmon offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, elevating any dining occasion to a feast.

Course: Seafood Cuisine: International Difficulty: medium
4.5 from 68 votes
🍽️
Servings
4
⏱️
Prep time
15
minutes
🔥
Cooking time
20
minutes
📊
Calories
470
kcal
Cook Mode
Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 4 Salmon fillets
  • 1 cup Jumbo lump crab meat
  • 1 cup Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup Parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Seasoned breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
  3. Add shrimp and crab meat to the skillet, cooking until shrimp is pink and opaque.
  4. Remove skillet from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, and breadcrumbs.
  5. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.
  6. Cut a pocket into each salmon fillet and stuff generously with the crab and shrimp mixture.
  7. Place the stuffed salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 470
Fat: 25
Carbohydrates: 9
Protein: 48
Sodium: 690
Fiber: 2
Sugar: 1

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