Red Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

These Red Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms are inspired by my favorite appetizer at one of my favorite chain restaurants. It’s time to share my perfect recipe!

This recipe for Red Lobster’s crab stuffed mushrooms is easy-to-follow and easy to adapt to your specific tastes. (For example, I am not a fan of celery. So I scratch it!) Love a certain kind of cheese (or mushroom), swap the below ingredient out for your favorite. After all, the world is your oyster, or is it your mushroom?

What You’ll Need for Red Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushrooms. This recipe calls for white mushrooms, but feel free to use whatever fungi you like that can be stuffed. This mushroom appetizer is great because though it doesn’t have meat in it, mushrooms have a unique, earthy flavor and meaty texture with a punch of umami. This makes them a healthier appetizer for those die-hard red meat fans.  

Mushrooms are also nutrient-dense. They are high in essential vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, potassium, and selenium. So this appetizer is also a kind of a health food. (minus the butter and cheese, of course 😉

Crabmeat. Succulent and tender crab meat adds a rich seafood flavor. If you don’t have access to quality crabmeat, feel free to use lobster meat or faux crab meat as well. 

Small shrimp. These seafood-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect recipe to use up leftover shrimp. If you don’t have small or tiny shrimp, just dice up your larger shrimp.

Cheese. This recipe calls for both mozzarella and parmesan cheese. But don’t feel like you need to stick to either of those. Swap out for your cheese of choice. Just make sure at least one of the cheeses you use works well for melting.

Eggs. This one egg serves a mighty purpose, to help bind all the ingredients together. We know eggs are a precious commodity right now. So here’s everything to know about eggs and what to do with all your leftover eggs hanging out in the refrigerator.

Breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs add a hearty crunch to this recipe. But if you don’t have Panko readily available, use any type of breadcrumb you have. 

Green onions and garlic. Green onions and garlic are a star in this recipe, so don’t go without them. There really isn’t a substitute for garlic in this case, but you could use powdered garlic if you absolutely have to. If you’re short on green onions, here’s a list of green onion substitutes you could use.

Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is a key ingredient in this recipe and is used as a binding agent for the stuffing. We’ll cover some other mayo substitutions later in the post. Though I’m a huge fan of mayo, I realize it’s not everyone’s jam. 

Herbs. Fresh herbs are always best. So try and get fresh basil and parsley if you can.

Spices. Use the freshest, newest spices you have. Though spices are shelf stable and don’t spoil like some food, they don’t last forever and do lose flavor over time. 

Butter. Everything’s better with butter. But if you must use a substitution, use a drizzle of olive oil instead. 

Lemon wedges. Freshly-squeezed lemon juice helps cut through the fat content and brings a dash of brightness to the dish.

Making Red Lobster Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

• 20 large white fresh mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed
• 1 cup cooked crab claw meat, finely chopped
• 1 cup cooked small shrimp, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (or a mash up a few cups oyster crackers for homemade breadcrumbs)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. This will ensure the mushrooms don’t stick to the pan while baking.
2. Begin by preparing the mushrooms. Gently wash mushrooms or use a damp paper towel to gently wipe off any dirt from the mushrooms, being careful not to break them. Remove the mushroom stems by gently twisting and pulling them out, creating a small cavity in each cap. Then set caps aside on your prepared baking sheet. 
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped crabmeat, chopped shrimp, grated Parmesan cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, Panko breadcrumbs, chopped green onions, and minced garlic. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Next, add the mayonnaise to the stuffing mixture. This will help bind the ingredients together and create a creamy texture. Then, add the freshly chopped parsley, basil, Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Mix everything together until it is well combined.
5. Now it’s time to stuff the mushrooms. Using a spoon or your hands, carefully fill each mushroom cap with the stuffing, pressing it gently into the cavity. Mound the filling slightly above the rim of the mushroom to create a full and satisfying bite. Continue until all the mushrooms are filled. Then place mushroom caps back on the baking sheet.
6. Once all the mushrooms are stuffed, drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the tops. This will help the mushrooms cook evenly and add a rich, buttery flavor. Then, lightly sprinkle the paprika over each mushroom for a pop of color and a hint of smokiness.
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the mushrooms for 20-25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown and bubbly.
8. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Transfer them to a serving platter, and garnish with a bit more chopped parsley if you’d like. Serve mushrooms with lemon wedges on the side, allowing guests to squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for a burst of bright flavor.

Tips for the Tastiest Stuffed Mushrooms

Bake until golden brown. The key to making the tastiest version of Red Lobster’s crab stuffed mushrooms recipe is to ensure they get golden brown and bubbly on top. It’s worth the extra few minutes. Trust me! 

Get creative with your cheese. No one said you had to use the recommended cheese. Adding a few tablespoons of cream cheese will up your creaminess factor. And some melty Monterey jack cheese would be delicious. As mentioned above, use what you like that fits your specific taste. 

Up the veggie count. If you want to make these mushrooms extra nutrient-rich, up the veggies. You can either add leftover chopped sauteed vegetables or raw veggies like a red bell pepper to the stuffing mixture. Another good hack is to chop half of the stems from the mushroom and add them to your stuffing mixture. this ups the veggie count and also reduces food waste. 

Stuffed Mushrooms Substitutions

Instead of butter. As we mentioned above, you can use olive oil or any other type of neutral cooking oil

Instead of mayonnaise. Swap out the mayo for either sour cream or even Greek yogurt.

Instead of crab. You can use faux crabmeat. But I’m going to throw out a totally different twist, try using leftover shredded chicken! You can even swap out the shrimp in this recipe for sausage.

Making Stuffed Mushrooms From Red Lobster Gluten-Free 

As a gluten-free person myself, I couldn’t cover how to make these delicious puppies gluten-free. The good news is that you can easily modify this recipe for various dietary restrictions. And as an FYI, most of our recipes on our site are either naturally gluten-free or are easily modified to be. 

To modify this near perfect recipe, simply replace the Panko breadcrumbs with gluten free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten free crackers. You can find gluten-free Panko on the market, but I’ve never come across one I actually like. For this recipe, I typically use gluten-free crackers that I throw in a bag and mash until the consistency of larger bread crumbs. 

Try Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers. Or any type of gluten-free cracker that is similar to a Ritz. I’m a huge fan of this brand. Not only because they are gluten-free but also because they are refined sugar free and lack the preservatives a ton of other gluten-free brands tend to have.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms In the Air Fryer

If you have an air fryer, this is a perfect recipe to use it for. (With that said, if you’re doubling or tripling this recipe for a large crowd, I’d go the traditional route and use an oven.)

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for a few minutes.
2. Lightly grease the air fryer basket or use perforated parchment paper to prevent the mushrooms from sticking.
3. Place the mushrooms in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other to allow for even cooking.
4. Cook the mushrooms at 375°F for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the stuffing is golden brown and crispy.
5. Check the mushrooms halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. If needed, carefully rearrange them or adjust the cooking time accordingly.
6. Once cooked, carefully remove the mushrooms from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving plate.

Red Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms FAQs

How many calories are a stuffed mushroom from Red Lobster?

The number of calories in one serving size of these delicious mushrooms may vary by restaurant. But on average, one serving (typically about 4-5 stuffed mushrooms) may contain approximately 300-400 calories. 

Are Red Lobster Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms gluten free?

Red Lobster’s stuffed mushrooms are not gluten-free because they contain breadcrumbs. Also, cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients can always occur when not prepared in a dedicated gluten-free environment.

What to serve with seafood stuffed mushrooms?

There are so many ways to serve these mushrooms. Use them as an appetizer, or serve them as a main course with a side salad. Their versatility really allows you to serve them up with some of our (and your) favorite meals. Below are a few of my favorite ways to serve these little fungi. 

As part of an appetizer spread. Choose three or four of your favorite appetizers to serve alongside these mushrooms. For a creamy and appetizing addition to your stuffed mushrooms, serve the Knorr Spinach Dip. The combination of spinach, sour cream, and Knorr vegetable mix creates an irresistible dip.

As a side to Miso Salmon. This Cheesecake Factory-inspired Miso Salmon offers a tasty seafood option to accompany your seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The combination of miso glaze and perfectly cooked salmon provides a delightful contrast of flavors that your guests will love. 

As a side to Empress Chicken. For a delightful fusion of flavors, serve Empress Chicken alongside your seafood mushrooms. The combination of tender chicken, vegetables, and a sweet and tangy sauce creates a mouthwatering dish that pairs well with the rich seafood flavors.

Serve with Tobacco Onions. When your mushrooms are finished, add a crunch to the top with these crispy and delicious Tobacco Onions. Thinly sliced onions are coated in a seasoned flour mixture and then fried to perfection. These crispy onions pair excellently with tender and flavorful seafood-stuffed mushrooms. 

Serve with Tiger Sauce dipping sauce. Add a touch of spice to your seafood-stuffed mushrooms with this homemade Tiger Sauce. This versatile sauce can be drizzled over the mushrooms or served on the side for dipping. The blend of hot sauce, horseradish, and other seasonings offers a flavorful kick that complements the seafood. 

Serve alongside Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits. This is our other favorite Red Lobster copycat recipe. The salty flavor from the cheddar cheese and the moist, fluffy center are just the perfect combination in these Red Lobster biscuits. You can stay on brand and serve them alongside your stuffed mushrooms. 

Hearty Russet potatoes. Mushrooms and potatoes go so well together. Choose one of our many recommendations for a satisfying and filling russet potato recipe.

Have questions or suggestions about these Red Lobster stuffed mushrooms? Leave them in the comments below.

More Appetizers and Sides

Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe

Crispy Tobacco Onions

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Redneck Caviar Recipe