Description
Creamy Shrimp Butter Spread is an easy, flavorful appetizer for any gathering. Learn how to make this delightful spread with personal tips and tricks.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails off
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (divided)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- Seasonings:
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Serving Essentials:
- Crusty bread, toasted baguette, or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Prep the Shrimp:: First things first, get those shrimp ready. If they’re frozen, thaw them in cold water. Pat them super dry with paper towels—this is a crucial step! Wet shrimp just won’t sear right, and we want a little color on them. I always feel a bit like a chef when I get them perfectly dry; it’s a small victory in my kitchen chaos.
- Sauté the Shrimp:: Melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant, but don’t let it burn! Then add your dried shrimp and a sprinkle of Old Bay. Cook for just 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of sear. This is where I almost always overcook them, so watch closely!
- Cool Down:: Once the shrimp are cooked, take them off the heat and let them cool down completely. Seriously, totally cool. If you try to blend them warm, you’ll end up with a greasy mess because the butter will melt instantly. I once got impatient and ended up with a runny disaster, so learn from my oops! This cooling step for the Shrimp Butter Spread is important.
- Assemble the Shrimp Butter Spread Base:: In a food processor, combine the cooled shrimp, softened unsalted butter, lemon juice, and the rest of the Old Bay seasoning. Add your fresh parsley and chives too. This is where the magic starts to happen, and you can smell all those amazing flavors coming together.
- Pulse to Perfection:: Now, for the blending! Pulse the mixture a few times until it’s just combined and spreadable, with small chunks of shrimp still visible. We’re not making baby food here, remember my paste disaster? You want texture. Taste it, and add salt, pepper, or those optional red pepper flakes to your liking. Every time I do this, I always sneak a little taste.
- Chill and Serve:: Transfer your beautiful Shrimp Butter Spread to a serving dish. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and firms it up for easy spreading. Honestly, the wait is the hardest part, but it’s so worth it. Serve chilled with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies. It’s a showstopper!