Florida Shrimp Pie Recipe
Florida Shrimp Pie is a savory seafood pie featuring fresh wild-caught Florida shrimp nestled in a creamy, seasoned filling of sautéed vegetables, sharp cheddar cheese, and aromatic spices, all encased in a flaky homemade pie crust. This indulgent dish combines rich textures and bold flavors, perfect for a comforting dinner or special occasion.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Seafood Pie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Shrimp
- 1.5 lbs fresh Florida shrimp (peeled & deveined, preferably wild-caught Gulf shrimp)
Flaky Pie Crust
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1/3 cup ice water
- 1 tsp white vinegar (for tenderness)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Creamy Filling
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/3 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter (for sautéing vegetables)
- Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the white vinegar, then gradually mix in the ice water until the dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. After chilling, roll out the dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, crimping the edges. Place the crust in the fridge to chill while preparing the filling. For an extra flaky crust, freeze the butter and grate it into the flour before mixing.
- Make the Filling: In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and celery, sautéing until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the peeled and deveined shrimp, and cook until just pink, about 2-3 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, beaten eggs, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the chilled pie crust. Spread the shrimp and vegetable mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the filling, ensuring even coverage. Top the pie with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set. Remove from oven and let the pie rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For the flakiest crust, grate frozen butter into the flour instead of cutting it in.
- Use wild-caught Gulf shrimp for optimal flavor and freshness.
- Cayenne pepper is optional; adjust according to your preferred spice level.
- Letting the pie rest after baking allows the filling to set properly, making slicing easier.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter filling.
Keywords: shrimp pie, Florida shrimp recipe, seafood pie, savory pie, creamy shrimp filling, homemade pie crust, Gulf shrimp