Spiced Potted Shrimp Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Spiced Potted Shrimp Recipe (1)

Total Time
20 minutes, plus chilling
Rating
4(77)
Notes
Read community notes

In the history of British cuisine, potting perishable foods — that is, sealing ingredients in a crock under a thin layer of clarified butter — was a way to preserve them. Thanks to modern refrigeration, preservation is no longer the point, but luscious, buttery potted dishes are still popular throughout Britain. Here, diced shrimp are aggressively seasoned with anchovy, celery seed, lemon zest and garlic before being sealed into ramekins. Potted shrimp is a very rich dish, best served in small quantities with hot toast on the side to melt the solidified butter back into a creamy sauce. Or, scoop out the shrimp and butter and mix it with hot pasta to create an instant scampi-like dish.

Featured in: Butter and Shrimp Make Holiday Magic

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

  • cups unsalted butter (3 sticks)
  • 4anchovy fillets, chopped
  • 2teaspoons fresh thyme or lemon thyme, minced, more for garnish
  • ½teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon mace (or nutmeg)
  • ¼teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch cayenne
  • Pinch celery seed
  • 1pound peeled shrimp, cut into ¼-inch dice
  • 1garlic clove, grated on a Microplane or minced
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Tabasco, for serving
  • Hot toast, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

367 calories; 35 grams fat; 22 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 13 grams protein; 225 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Spiced Potted Shrimp Recipe (2)

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Step

    1

    Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Let cook, skimming the foam off the top of the butter, until the white milk solids fall to the bottom of the pan. Carefully pour about half the clarified butter into a measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Leave remaining butter and all those milk solids in the skillet.

  2. Step

    2

    Add anchovy, thyme, lemon zest, mace, salt, pepper, cayenne and celery seed to skillet. Stir in shrimp and cook over medium heat until pink, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in garlic.

  3. Step

    3

    Divide shrimp among 8 ramekins, top with the remaining herbed butter from the skillet and chill until set, about 1 hour.

  4. Step

    4

    Pour reserved clarified butter on top and chill until set, about 15 minutes, or up to 5 days (or freeze for up to 1 month). Remove ramekins from the refrigerator at least 20 minutes to 1 hour before serving with lemon wedges, Tabasco and hot toast.

Ratings

77

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Milagros

PS: I use tiger shrimp when available. I retain the shrimp shells and brown them lightly (2 min) in a stick of butter. Strain the butter in a sieve lined in cheesecloth. When the butter has cooled I then add few drops of cognac and ground allspice, ground clove and piment d' espelette.....

Mary

Great dish, fairly quick to produce which is well suited for entertaining. I might try it with pasta, it is so full of favor.

Milagros

I had a pinch of ground clove, ground allspice and piment d' espelette....few drops of cognac. Superb!

Sally N

Traditionally, potted shrimp are sold in British supermarkets in tiny tubs, and are also popular food in good pubs. Best enjoyed on very thinly sliced whole-wheat toast, with just a spritz of fresh lemon juice. In Britain the tiniest, most tender shrimp are used whole, but I’ve never seen them sold in the US. Looking forward to giving this recipe a go!

Donna

Butter may remain solid at room temperature unless warmed

Jean Norris

Loved this. Thanks Melissa. Made exactly as written, using shrimp recommended as 2nd most flavorful at Berkeley Bowl fish counter. (Made a broth wiith the shells that tasted great in miso soup later.) could have used a bit more spice at first, but flavor developed over a couple more days. Sweet batard was the perfect bread, dense cell structure, toasted evenly. Agree about needing more time to warm before serving.

Mary

Great dish, fairly quick to produce which is well suited for entertaining. I might try it with pasta, it is so full of favor.

BigGuy

Canned shrimp would work well.

KL

Remarkably bland, despite increasing the seasonings.

Milagros

PS: I use tiger shrimp when available. I retain the shrimp shells and brown them lightly (2 min) in a stick of butter. Strain the butter in a sieve lined in cheesecloth. When the butter has cooled I then add few drops of cognac and ground allspice, ground clove and piment d' espelette.....

Milagros

I had a pinch of ground clove, ground allspice and piment d' espelette....few drops of cognac. Superb!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Spiced Potted Shrimp Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do potted shrimps last? ›

In addition to the rich flavor the butter brings, it also acts as a preservative so that potted shrimp can last as long as four weeks in the refrigerator. Potted shrimp makes a great canapé for a party, but also a great snack just waiting in the fridge.

How do you eat potted shrimps? ›

Method
  1. Spread the toast slices with the potted shrimps. Add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of cayenne.
  2. Cut into fingers, add a sprig of watercress to each one and serve straight away with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

What does potted shrimp taste like? ›

Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimp is known for its unique sweet flavour, delicate texture, and a slightly spicy taste. The freshly caught local shrimp are cooked in spiced butter until they are the perfect texture and then put in pots, best served warm or at room temperature.

Are potted shrimps healthy? ›

Potted Shrimp is a strongly recommended protein source. Potted Shrimps are huge in their appeal as these deliciously tasting crustaceans can be served hot or cold. People have been enjoying potted shrimp as a healthy food since the crustacean appeared in the waters, basically since time began.

Do you serve potted shrimps hot or cold? ›

Serving Suggestions;

Great with toast or crusty bread. Perfect as a starter or light meal. Can be enjoyed either warm or cold.

How long does potted shrimp last in the fridge? ›

The potted shrimps will keep nicely at 2-4C for a few days or you can freeze. Take the ramekins out of the fridge and leave to stand a while at room temperature to loosen the butter. Spoon the potted shrimps onto your freshly made warm toast and savour whilst thinking of the beach.

Why is it called potted shrimp? ›

The Historic Foodie writes that potting something consisted of sealing meat, cheese, or seafood under a protective layer of butter or fat. When stored in a cool place, this impenetrable layer of fat keeps out air and microbes, preserving the protein for weeks or even months.

Can I freeze potted shrimp? ›

The potted shrimps will keep chilled for up to 5 days or, if they haven't been previously frozen (check with your fishmonger), cover in cling film and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost, then warm to serve.

Where is famous for potted shrimp? ›

Still following a traditional recipe that goes back hundreds of years, our potted shrimps have delicious delicate taste and unique texture. Take a look at our range online and get this famous Cumbrian delicacy delivered directly to your door.

What is potted shrimp made of? ›

Morecambe Bay potted brown shrimps, cooked onboard in sea water, then boiled in butter and seasoned with spices, then sealed with butter and packed into pots.

What is the tastiest shrimp? ›

Pink shrimp are some of the tastiest shrimp you can find, mild and sweet without the distinctive ammonia taste some of the brown and white shrimp have. Just don't expect a vibrantly hued patch of shrimp at the market—pink shrimp can range from white to gray in color.

Why does my shrimp taste bland? ›

Neglecting to marinate when making sautéed shrimp can result in a bland and awful taste. This happens as your shrimp does not get enough time to soak in any flavor. Hence, always marinate your shrimp before cooking to infuse them with flavor. It does not require you to whip up a fancy mixture for marinating you shrimp.

Why shouldn't you eat shrimp everyday? ›

May Contain Contaminants

Shellfish may contain several unwanted additives, including heavy metals and microplastics. 56 Excess mercury, for example, can impact your heart, kidneys, and nervous system.

Is it OK to eat shrimp all the time? ›

Doctors now consider it safe for most people to consume shrimp daily, irrespective of their cholesterol levels. In moderation, shrimp consumption can provide many essential nutrients. However, consuming shrimp or other seafood is recommended only twice a week.

What is the healthiest shrimp to eat? ›

The best choices are wild-caught MSC-certified pink shrimp from Oregon or their larger sisters, spot prawns, also from the Pacific Northwest or British Columbia, which are caught by traps. Avoid: imported shrimp.

How long do pet shrimp last? ›

One to six years is the lifespan of most shrimp. Ghost Shrimp live on the lower end of that range, only up to one year, while Caridean Shrimp can live up to six years. As such, shrimp develop quite quickly, going through several larval stages over just a couple of weeks before they become tiny versions of adult shrimp.

How long do shrimp last in the fridge? ›

Shellfish (shrimps, crab, lobster)

Cooked shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster, maintain their quality for 1-2 days when refrigerated. For raw shellfish in the shell, the same thing applies. It's advisable to consume them within the next couple of days for optimal taste and safety.

What is the shelf life of shrimp? ›

The Bottom Line

Raw shrimp last in the fridge for one to two days but can last for months if frozen. Cooked shrimp last three to four days. To reheat cooked shrimp, use a lower temperature and check frequently to avoid overcooking. When storing raw shrimp in the fridge, keep it on the bottom shelf.

When should you throw away shrimp? ›

If raw shrimp has a sour, ammonia-like smell, its coloring is dull and/or it looks slimy, it's gone bad and needs to be tossed. If cooked shrimp has gone bad, it will also have a sour, ammonia-like smell and/or slimy texture. In that case, it should be thrown away.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6693

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.