Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food obsession: Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts. Imagine a warm, fluffy biscuit, split open and piled high with a creamy, savory mixture of tender shrimp and sweet lump crab, all blanketed under a layer of perfectly melted, bubbly cheese. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a gourmet experience that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you’re craving something truly special. Forget boring sandwiches, this is an open-faced masterpiece that delivers on flavor, texture, and pure satisfaction.
We’ve all had those days where cooking a complicated meal is the last thing on our minds, but the craving for something delicious and satisfying is real. That’s where this simple, yet elegant, recipe comes in. It transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish you’ll be proud to serve. Whether you’re making a quick lunch for yourself or a delightful dinner for the family, these seafood melts are guaranteed to impress.
Why This Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts Recipe is a Must-Try
If you’re looking for a recipe that ticks all the boxes, you’ve found it. This dish is the perfect storm of flavor, convenience, and versatility.
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you can have these incredible melts on the table in less than 30 minutes. The seafood salad comes together in minutes, and the broiling process is lightning-fast.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The combination of creamy dressing, savory seafood, Old Bay seasoning, and sharp cheddar cheese creates a flavor profile that rivals any dish from your favorite seafood restaurant. It’s a decadent treat that feels incredibly gourmet.
- Budget-Friendly Indulgence: By using canned crab meat and cooked shrimp, you get all the luxurious flavor of a high-end seafood dish without the hefty price tag. It’s an accessible way to enjoy a touch of elegance. For another hearty and impressive meal, check out this decadent seafood lasagna recipe.
- Perfectly Portioned: Each melt is a self-contained meal, making them ideal for portion control and easy serving. No need for complex side dishes; these are satisfying all on their own.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Seafood Melts
The magic of these Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts lies in their simple, yet powerful, combination of ingredients. Each component is chosen to create a symphony of flavor and texture.
For the Biscuits
To keep things quick and easy, we’re using canned refrigerated biscuits. They bake up perfectly fluffy and golden, creating the ideal base for our seafood mixture. If you’re feeling ambitious, a homemade biscuit like these easy butter swim biscuits would be absolutely divine.
For the Seafood Salad
- Shrimp: Use pre-cooked small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined. This is a huge time-saver! Simply chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Lump Crab Meat: Canned lump crab meat provides that sweet, delicate flavor that pairs so well with shrimp. Be sure to drain it well to avoid a watery salad.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our salad. Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture.
- Celery & Red Onion: These provide a much-needed fresh crunch and a mild, zesty bite that cuts through the richness of the seafood and cheese.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens up all the flavors and adds a touch of acidity.
- Old Bay Seasoning: The quintessential seafood seasoning! Its unique blend of spices is non-negotiable for that classic, savory flavor.
For the Topping
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: We recommend shredding your own cheese from a block. It melts much better than pre-shredded varieties and delivers a superior gooey, cheesy pull.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts
This recipe is as simple as bake, mix, and melt. Follow these easy steps for guaranteed success.
Step 1: Bake the Biscuits
First, preheat your oven according to the directions on the biscuit dough package, typically around 375°F (190°C). Arrange the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake until they are golden brown and cooked through. This usually takes about 10-13 minutes. Once baked, set them aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Seafood Salad
While the biscuits are baking, you can prepare the delicious filling. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cooked shrimp, drained lump crab meat, mayonnaise, diced celery, minced red onion, fresh lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Gently stir everything together until it’s well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep some of the texture from the lump crab.
Step 3: Assemble and Melt
Set your oven to a high broil. Gently split each warm biscuit in half, creating a top and a bottom. Place all 16 halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Generously spoon the shrimp and crab mixture evenly over each biscuit half. Finally, sprinkle a good amount of the freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of each one. For a similar cheesy delight, you might also love these ooey-gooey garlic cheese bombs.
Step 4: Broil to Perfection
Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes. Keep a very close eye on them! The broiler works fast, and you want the cheese to be perfectly melted, bubbly, and just beginning to turn golden brown. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute before serving hot.
Variations and Substitutions
While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it to your liking!
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the seafood mixture for a spicy kick.
- Different Cheese: Swap the cheddar for Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or a provolone blend for a different flavor profile.
- Add Some Herbs: Fresh dill or chopped chives would be a delicious addition to the seafood salad.
- Biscuit Alternatives: Try this on a toasted English muffin, a croissant, or a thick slice of brioche bread for a different texture.
What to Serve with Your Melts
These Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts are a star on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, a cup of creamy tomato soup, or some simple steamed asparagus would all be excellent choices to round out the meal.
Yes, you can prepare the shrimp and crab salad up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble the melts and broil them.
Absolutely! If you have access to fresh lump crab meat, it will make these melts even more delicious. Use the same quantity and ensure it’s picked over for any shells.
You can, but it will change the flavor and texture significantly. Imitation crab is made from fish (usually pollock) and has a sweeter, less delicate taste. For the best flavor, we highly recommend using real lump crab meat.
Yes, you can make a gluten-free version by simply swapping the regular biscuits for your favorite gluten-free biscuits. The seafood salad ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your mayonnaise and Old Bay seasoning labels to be sure.
For convenience, canned refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!) work perfectly. They are fluffy and sturdy enough to hold the filling. However, if you have a favorite homemade biscuit recipe, that would be an excellent choice as well.
Yes, you can prepare the shrimp and crab salad up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble the melts and broil them.
Absolutely! If you have access to fresh lump crab meat, it will make these melts even more delicious. Use the same quantity and ensure it’s picked over for any shells.
You can, but it will change the flavor and texture significantly. Imitation crab is made from fish (usually pollock) and has a sweeter, less delicate taste. For the best flavor, we highly recommend using real lump crab meat.
Yes, you can make a gluten-free version by simply swapping the regular biscuits for your favorite gluten-free biscuits. The seafood salad ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your mayonnaise and Old Bay seasoning labels to be sure.
For convenience, canned refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!) work perfectly. They are fluffy and sturdy enough to hold the filling. However, if you have a favorite homemade biscuit recipe, that would be an excellent choice as well.
Storing and Reheating
These melts are best enjoyed fresh, right out of the oven, to get that perfect combination of a warm, soft biscuit and gooey melted cheese. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, we recommend using an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or a toaster oven to help the biscuit crisp up again. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the biscuit soggy.
Enjoy Your Delicious Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts recipe. It’s a true testament to how simple ingredients can create something extraordinarily delicious. If you make this recipe and love it, please feel free to leave a comment below or share it on Pinterest. We love seeing your culinary creations!
Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts: The Ultimate Cheesy Seafood Indulgence
Discover your new comfort food obsession with these Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts! A creamy, savory mix of shrimp and crab on a fluffy biscuit, all under a blanket of bubbly, melted cheddar cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven according to biscuit package directions (usually 375°F or 190°C). Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped shrimp, drained crab meat, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn the oven to a high broil setting. Split the baked biscuits in half and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
- Spoon the shrimp and crab mixture evenly over each biscuit half. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 1: For the best results, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly.
Tip 2: Be very careful when draining the crab meat to squeeze out as much liquid as possible to prevent the mixture from becoming watery.
Tip 3: Keep a very close eye on the melts under the broiler as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds.
Shrimp Crab Biscuit Melts: The Ultimate Cheesy Seafood Indulgence
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven according to biscuit package directions (usually 375°F or 190°C). Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped shrimp, drained crab meat, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn the oven to a high broil setting. Split the baked biscuits in half and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
- Spoon the shrimp and crab mixture evenly over each biscuit half. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Be very careful when draining the crab meat to squeeze out as much liquid as possible to prevent the mixture from becoming watery.
Tip 3: Keep a very close eye on the melts under the broiler as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds.
