Lemon Butter Crab Seafood Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bowls

These Lemon Butter Crab Seafood Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bowls are a delicious combination of tender seafood, creamy lemon butter sauce, and cheesy homemade biscuit bowls. Loaded with crab and other seafood, then topped with golden Cheddar Bay biscuits, this comforting dish is perfect for a special dinner or cozy weekend meal.

Ingredients

For the Seafood Filling

8 oz (225 g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
8 oz (225 g) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken or seafood broth
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bowls

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¾ cup buttermilk

For the Lemon Butter Topping

3 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Prepare the Biscuit Dough

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and dried parsley. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, then gradually add the buttermilk. Stir just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.

2. Shape the Biscuit Bowls

Lightly grease the outside of several oven-safe ramekins or small oven-safe bowls. Turn them upside down on a baking sheet.

Divide the biscuit dough into portions and gently press each portion around the outside of the bowls, creating a bowl shape. Keep the dough reasonably even in thickness.

Bake for 12–16 minutes, or until golden brown.

Allow the biscuit bowls to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them from the ramekins.

3. Cook the Seafood

While the biscuit bowls bake, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add the chopped shrimp and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

4. Make the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and broth. Stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.

5. Add the Crab

Gently fold the lump crab meat into the sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until the crab is heated through.

Be careful not to stir too aggressively so the crab pieces remain intact.

6. Make the Lemon Butter Topping

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.

Brush the mixture generously over the warm Cheddar Bay biscuit bowls.

7. Assemble the Bowls

Place each biscuit bowl on a serving plate. Spoon the creamy crab and shrimp mixture into the center.

Drizzle a little extra lemon butter over the seafood and garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of paprika.

Serve immediately while the biscuit bowls are warm and crisp.

Recipe Tips

Use fresh or good-quality refrigerated lump crab meat for the best flavor.
Make sure the biscuit dough isn’t too thin when shaping the bowls.
Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as they can become tough.
Add scallops, lobster meat, or cooked white fish for a more substantial seafood bowl.
For a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Serve immediately for the best contrast between the creamy seafood filling and crisp biscuit bowl.
Refrigerate leftover seafood filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store biscuit bowls separately and reheat them in the oven for best results.

Meta Description

These Lemon Butter Crab Seafood Cheddar Bay Biscuit Bowls combine tender crab and shrimp with creamy lemon butter sauce inside golden, cheesy biscuit bowls.