Florida Shrimp Pie is a creamy, cheesy Southern classic packed with tender Gulf shrimp, warm spices, fresh herbs, and a golden flaky crust. I love serving this comforting seafood pie at family dinners and coastal-inspired brunches—it’s flavorful, satisfying, and tastes like a bite of Florida sunshine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with fresh Florida shrimp and Southern flavor
- Creamy filling with a subtle kick and lemony brightness
- Flaky crust holds everything together beautifully
- Easy to prep ahead for gatherings and special meals
- Great for brunch, potlucks, or dinner with crisp salad and wine
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Pie Crust (or use pre-made):
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- cold unsalted butter
- ice water
For the Shrimp Filling:
- olive oil
- unsalted butter
- yellow onion
- green bell pepper
- garlic
- celery
- Old Bay seasoning
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper (optional)
- raw Florida shrimp, peeled and chopped
- all-purpose flour
- whole milk or half-and-half
- heavy cream
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
For the Cheese and Egg Mixture:
- eggs
- mayonnaise (or sour cream)
- shredded cheddar cheese
- shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
- fresh parsley
- green onions
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
If I’m making crust from scratch, I mix flour and salt, cut in the cold butter until crumbly, then stir in ice water until the dough forms. After chilling, I roll it out, fit it into a pie plate, and pre-bake it at 375°F for 10 minutes to avoid a soggy base.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp Mixture
In a skillet, I heat olive oil and butter, then sauté onion, celery, and bell pepper until softened. I add garlic and spices, then stir in the shrimp and cook until pink. I sprinkle in flour, stir, and slowly pour in milk and cream. I let it thicken and finish with lemon juice, zest, and seasoning.
Step 3: Make the Egg-Cheese Base
In a bowl, I whisk eggs and mayo, then stir in cheddar, mozzarella, parsley, and green onions. Once the shrimp mixture has cooled slightly, I fold it into the cheese base.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
I pour the mixture into the pre-baked crust, smooth the top, and bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes until golden and set. After cooling slightly, it slices clean and serves beautifully.
Servings and Timing
Yield: 6 to 8 slices
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Low-Carb Option: Skip the crust and bake the filling in ramekins.
- Mini Shrimp Pies: Use muffin tins for bite-sized servings.
- Swap the Seafood: Substitute part of the shrimp with crabmeat or crawfish.
- Add Veggies: Mix in fresh spinach or corn for more texture.
- Spicy Creole Twist: Add diced jalapeños and Cajun seasoning.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigerator: I keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: I wrap slices in foil and freeze up to 2 months.
Reheating: I warm slices in the oven at 300°F for 15–20 minutes or in the microwave in short intervals until hot. I let cold slices come to room temp before reheating for the best results.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, I use frozen shrimp when fresh isn’t available—just make sure to thaw completely and pat dry to avoid extra moisture.
Do I need to pre-bake the crust?
Absolutely. Pre-baking helps the crust stay firm and prevents it from becoming soggy under the creamy filling.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, I often bake it the day before and reheat it in the oven. I can also prep the filling in advance and refrigerate it until ready to assemble and bake.
What’s the best cheese combination?
I like using cheddar for sharpness and mozzarella or Monterey Jack for meltability. I sometimes mix in Gruyère or Fontina for a fancier twist.
Is it spicy with the cayenne pepper?
The spice is mild and just gives a gentle warmth. I adjust the amount depending on who I’m serving or leave it out entirely for a milder flavor.
Conclusion
Florida Shrimp Pie is one of my go-to comfort dishes when I want something both homey and a little special. It celebrates the vibrant seafood and bold flavors of the Gulf Coast while offering the familiar, cozy appeal of a Southern casserole. With its creamy shrimp filling, herby cheese topping, and buttery crust, it’s a meal that always gets compliments and seconds.
PrintFlorida Shrimp Pie
Florida Shrimp Pie is a rich, savory Southern seafood dish made with creamy Gulf shrimp filling, fresh herbs, melty cheese, and a buttery golden crust. With bold seasoning, zesty lemon, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella, this comforting shrimp pie is perfect for brunch, dinner, or entertaining. It’s easy to prep ahead and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern / Coastal American
Ingredients
- For the Pie Crust (or use store-bought):
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3–4 tbsp ice water
- For the Shrimp Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lb raw Florida shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole milk or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Cheese and Egg Mixture:
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or sour cream)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp sliced green onions
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water until dough comes together. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll dough out and fit into a pie plate. Pre-bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp Filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery, cooking until softened. Stir in garlic, Old Bay, paprika, and cayenne.
- Add shrimp and cook until pink. Sprinkle in flour and stir. Slowly add milk and cream, cooking until thickened. Stir in lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper. Let cool slightly.
- Make Cheese-Egg Base: In a bowl, whisk eggs and mayo. Stir in cheeses, parsley, and green onions. Fold in shrimp mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour filling into pre-baked crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–45 minutes, until golden and set.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Crust-free version: Bake filling in ramekins.
- Add-ins: Spinach, corn, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Seafood swaps: Try crabmeat or crawfish.
- Cheese options: Mix in Gruyère or Fontina for upscale flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare filling or bake the whole pie a day in advance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 160mg