Enhancing the traditional combo of tortilla chips, melted cheese, and pickled jalapenos with shrimp and crab gives these Seafood Nachos a unique flair. They’re not just a great pre-dinner bite, but they also hold their own as a substantial meal if needed.
Forget the beans and salsa; I’m sticking to the basics with this sheet pan nacho recipe, except I’m adding shrimp and crab and turning them into a dreamy-mouthwatering version of loaded seafood nachos.
Every bite of these shrimp nachos will have you wishing you had leftovers for breakfast the next day.
Why I Love These Nachos
- They’re different. Not every nacho recipe has to be made with beef and beans.
- The flavors go together well. You’ll be surprised how tasty these are.
- Seafood nachos can be served as an appetizer or a meal.
- This is your chance to give the unique flavor of crab nachos a try.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the shrimp. I will also use avocado oil to sauté.
- Shrimp: A key protein that is part of the delicious seafood flavor in the nachos.
- Ground Cumin: Adds a warm earthy flavor profile. If you don’t like cumin, use chile powder.
- Garlic: Add aromatics. If you’re out of fresh, try a little garlic powder.
- Jumbo Lump Crabmeat: Another seafood element that contributes a sweet and delicate flavor to the nachos.
- Sour Cream: The creamy and tangy element that binds everything together. If you want to use Greek yogurt, it has to be the full-fat version and even then I’m on the fence about it.
- Green Onions: Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor. Chives also works.
- Corn Tortilla Chips: The base of the nachos, providing crunch and a neutral canvas for the toppings. Multigrain tortilla chips also work.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Melts perfectly and adds a spicy kick and gooey texture to the nachos. Use your favorite cheese here.
- Pickled Jalapeno: Adds a slightly tangy heat with a bit of spice. Don’t skip it.
How to Make Seafood Nachos with Shrimp and Crab
- Warm the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toss in the shrimp, along with cumin and garlic; cook for about 3 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink.
- Mix together the cooked shrimp, crab, sour cream, and green onions in a sizable bowl.
- Arrange tortilla chips on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cover them with the shrimp mixture, sprinkle cheese over it, and add jalapenos on top.
- Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Sometimes I change the toppings based on preferences of the people I’m serving. I’ve added diced tomatoes, avocado, or a drizzle of lime juice.
- I have experimented with different cheese blends for different flavor complexity. Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a mix of both can work well, but pepper Jack is my favorite.
- Keep a close eye while broiling to prevent any burning. The goal is to melt the cheese without overcooking the seafood.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I prepare the shrimp mixture in advance? Yes, you can pre-cook the shrimp mixture and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before assembling the nachos.
- How do I prevent the nachos from getting soggy? I serve them immediately after broiling to maintain the crunch of the tortilla chips.
- How do I store leftover nachos? Store leftover nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
More Nacho Recipes
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Seafood Nachos with Crab and Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 2-1/2 tsps. ground cumin
- 1 lbs. peeled and deveined raw shrimp, tails removed thaw if frozen
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 lbs. jumbo lump crabmeat, cleaned and picked for shells (do not use imitation)
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 bunch green onion, sliced
- 9 oz. corn tortilla chips
- 3 cups grated pepper jack cheese
- 3/4 cup pickled jalapenos
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, cumin and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until shrimp are pink.1 tsp. olive oil, 2-1/2 tsps. ground cumin, 1 lbs. peeled and deveined raw shrimp, tails removed, 1 tsp. minced garlic
- Combine cooked shrimp, crab, sour cream and green onions in a large bowl.1 lbs. jumbo lump crabmeat, cleaned and picked for shells, 3/4 cup sour cream, 1 bunch green onion, sliced
- Spread tortilla chips on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Top with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and top with jalapeno.9 oz. corn tortilla chips, 3 cups grated pepper jack cheese, 3/4 cup pickled jalapenos
- Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Anna says
Drool!
startcooking says
I just LOVE this sophisticated take on Nachos! Can’t wait to give it a try! (My friends are still talking about your Crab Cake recipe…)
Question: What size shrimp did you use?
Cheers,
Kathy
Noble Pig says
I used large…they shrunk up nicely to bite-sized pieces after cooking.
Kari Moore says
Sounds soooo yummy~ glad you’re enjoying yourself with all the work and wine!!
pamela ponder says
those look so good, a must try,,thanks
lisaiscooking says
Topping one of my favorites foods, nachos, with my favorite seafood sounds like a very, very good idea!
Stephanie says
drooool
seafood and nachos.. i want this so badly!
Paula says
Oh, yum! I just showed my 10 year old daughter these (her birthday is on Thursday), and she’d like these for her birthday, too! Oh yeah, these are awesome! She says: Nachos + crab + shrimp = awesomeness!!! And happily ever afterness. 🙂
tara says
This was amazing. We loved it.
Tammy says
This is the only nacho recipe I will eat now.
Mental P Mama says
Wow! Those look amazing!
June says
Wow – can’t wait to give these a try. They look fabulous and would be perfect breakfast food! LOL
bellini valli says
Adding seafood takes these to a whole new level Cathy.
Marjie says
That looks like a wonderful break from the labor of love that’s consuming you every waking hour, or so it must seem!
Melange a Trois says
This is right up my husband’s alley- he adores crab so much being from MD. Can’t wait to make these. Love your blog!
Susan says
What a gorgeous and tasty recipe this was.
The Teacher Cooks says
My gosh this is sinful! What a great idea and after eating this head to the gym because I would eat all of them. They look so good!
Jessica says
Great pics, looks awesome!
Carolina says
I love this dish! Simple but awesome!
Lisa says
Wow, these were incredible. I loved the way the shrimp is prepared…making again for the football game.
theUngourmet says
My daughter and I both agree…these were fantastic!! Two thumbs way up!
Livin Local says
This was the kind of grown up snack food we love and we ate them all!
Liz C. says
This is right up my alley! It’s absolutely mouth-watering.
Angela says
I made these today and they were perfection.
Pam says
Woman, you are killing me! These nachos look so amazing.
linda says
what do you suggest pairing this with?
Quentin says
Hi, I’ve just made these terrific nachos yesterday night and they were A M A Z I N G!As I live in Europe (France) I couldn’t find all of the ingredient like the cheese that i replaced with Dutch Gouda and the green onion, that i replaced with caramelized regular onions.Anyway, that was awesome, it served about 6 ppl, but my boyfriend and I ate the whole thing.Definitely a must-try!
BytesLand says
Thanks for the recipe, my family devoured them.