This delectable sour cream shrimp spread is a quick and tasty appetizer that is sure to impress your guests. Combining the richness of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise with the delicate flavor of shrimp, this spread is truly a crowd-pleaser. Topped with cocktail sauce and a mix of veggies, it offers a burst of flavor in every bite.
The main ingredients for this recipe are quite common and readily available in most supermarkets. However, the shrimp might require a trip to the seafood section or a special seafood market. It's best to choose fresh shrimp for an optimal taste, but canned shrimp can be used in a pinch. Also, the cocktail sauce used here is a spicy, tangy sauce commonly used with seafood. It can be found in the condiment section of most supermarkets.
Ingredients for Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
cream cheese: A versatile dairy product that adds a creamy texture and depth of flavor.
sour cream: Adds a tangy flavor and smooth consistency.
mayonnaise: A thick, creamy dressing that contributes to the richness of the spread.
shrimp: The star of the dish, providing a unique, delicate flavor.
cocktail sauce: A tangy and slightly spicy sauce that complements the flavor of the shrimp.
mozzarella cheese: Adds a melty, gooey texture and mild flavor.
green bell pepper: Provides a crisp texture and a sweet, mild flavor.
green onions: Adds a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor.
tomato: Gives a juicy, refreshing touch to the dish.
One reader, Darell Grace says:
This sour cream shrimp spread recipe is a game-changer! The creamy texture and the burst of flavors from the shrimp and cocktail sauce make it a hit at every gathering. It's so easy to make and always impresses my guests. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques for Making Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
How to mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise: Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a mixing bowl and stir until smooth and well combined.
How to spread the cream cheese mixture onto the pizza pan: Using a spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 12-inch round pizza pan.
How to sprinkle the shrimp on top of the cream cheese mixture: Evenly distribute the shrimp over the cream cheese mixture, ensuring they are spread out.
How to pour the seafood cocktail sauce over the shrimp: Evenly pour the seafood cocktail sauce over the shrimp, covering them completely.
How to sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the seafood cocktail sauce.
How to chop the green bell pepper: Remove the stem and seeds from the green bell pepper, then chop it into small pieces.
How to chop the green onions: Trim the roots and any wilted parts from the green onions, then chop them into small pieces.
How to chop the tomato: Core the tomato and chop it into small pieces.
How to refrigerate the spread: Cover the spread with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
How To Make Shrimp Spread With Sour Cream
This shrimp spread is the perfect pair for your crackers made with cheese, diced tomatoes, peeled shrimp, and cocktail sauce mixed together in one bowl.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 8ozcream cheese,softened, 1 package
- ½cupsour cream
- ¼cupmayonnaise
- 4ozshrimp,3 cans
- 1cupcocktail sauce
- 2cupsmozzarella cheese,shredded
- 1green bell pepper,chopped
- 3green onions,chopped
- 1medium tomato,peeled, seeded, and chopped
Instructions
-
Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise together. Spread the mixture onto the bottom of a 12-inch round pizza pan.
-
Sprinkle the shrimp on top of the cream cheese mixture and then evenly pour the seafood cocktail sauce over the shrimp.
-
Sprinkle cheese, chopped pepper, green onions, and tomatoes to finish. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 531.72kcal
- Fat: 45.76g
- Saturated Fat: 24.15g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.22g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.92g
- Carbohydrates: 6.65g
- Fiber: 0.77g
- Sugar: 3.82g
- Protein: 24.41g
- Cholesterol: 156.21mg
- Sodium: 927.33mg
- Calcium: 575.81mg
- Potassium: 268.72mg
- Iron: 0.62mg
- Vitamin A: 368.78µg
- Vitamin C: 19.97mg
Helpful Technique for Making Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
When preparing the shrimp for this recipe, ensure they are properly cleaned and deveined. If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely before adding them to the dish. This will prevent any excess water from diluting the flavors of the spread. Additionally, you can lightly sauté the shrimp in a bit of butter or olive oil before adding them to the spread to enhance their flavor.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
Prep ahead: Prepare the cream cheese mixture and chop the vegetables ahead of time to save time on the day of serving.
Use pre-cooked shrimp: Save time by using pre-cooked shrimp instead of cooking them from scratch.
Buy pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to eliminate the time spent shredding it yourself.
Chop ingredients uniformly: Cut the bell pepper, green onions, and tomato into uniform pieces for even distribution and a professional presentation.
Refrigerate in advance: Make the spread a day in advance and refrigerate it, allowing the flavors to meld and saving time on the day of serving.
Substitute Ingredients For Shrimp Spread With Sour Cream Recipe
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a suitable replacement for sour cream in this recipe.
mayonnaise - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can provide a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor as mayonnaise, while also adding a touch of freshness to the spread.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella, providing a rich and slightly sharper flavor to the spread.
green bell pepper - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell pepper can be used as a substitute for green bell pepper, offering a slightly sweeter flavor and vibrant color to the spread.
green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives can be used as a substitute for green onions, providing a mild onion flavor and a pop of green color to the spread.
tomato - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell pepper can be used as a substitute for tomato, adding a sweet and slightly smoky flavor to the spread.
Presentation Ideas for Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
- Elevate the plating: Arrange the shrimp spread in a circular motion on a large, white, round platter, ensuring the layers are visible and the colors are vibrant.
- Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle finely chopped chives and a dusting of smoked paprika over the spread for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Artful arrangement of vegetables: Place thinly sliced green bell peppers and green onions in a decorative pattern around the edge of the platter, creating a visually appealing frame for the spread.
- Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce a touch of elegance by delicately placing edible flowers, such as nasturtiums or pansies, around the spread for a sophisticated and refined touch.
- Utilize negative space: Ensure the platter has ample white space to allow the vibrant colors of the dish to stand out, creating a visually striking presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Shrimp Spread
- Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for chopping, pureeing, and mixing ingredients. It is great for making sauces, dips, and spreads.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and mixing the sour cream shrimp spread. It provides a spacious and sturdy container for blending the components together.
- 12-inch round pizza pan: The 12-inch round pizza pan is used as a serving dish for the sour cream shrimp spread. It provides a flat and wide surface for assembling and presenting the spread.
- Chef's knife: A chef's knife is necessary for chopping the green bell pepper, green onions, and tomato. It provides precision and control for cutting the vegetables into small, uniform pieces.
- Cutting board: A cutting board is used as a surface for chopping and preparing the vegetables and shrimp. It provides a safe and stable platform for cutting ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are essential for accurately measuring the ingredients such as sour cream, mayonnaise, and cocktail sauce. They ensure the proper balance of flavors and consistency in the spread.
- Refrigerator: The refrigerator is used for chilling and storing the sour cream shrimp spread until it is ready to be served. It helps maintain the freshness and texture of the spread.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
This shrimp spread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to cover the surface of the spread with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other flavors.
If you want to freeze the spread, it's best to do so before adding the toppings like bell pepper, green onions, and tomato. Transfer the cream cheese mixture with the shrimp and cocktail sauce to a freezer-safe container, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and a lid.
When ready to serve, thaw the spread in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, give it a good stir to redistribute any separated ingredients, and then add the fresh toppings before serving.
If you have leftovers of the fully assembled spread, you can still freeze them, but the texture of the vegetables may change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Frozen shrimp spread can be stored for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer the container to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Consume within 2-3 days of thawing for the best quality and taste.
How To Reheat Leftover Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
To reheat leftover sour cream shrimp spread, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This will help the spread soften and become easier to scoop and serve.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the shrimp spread in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat the spread in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until it's warmed through. Be careful not to overheat the spread, as the cream cheese and sour cream can separate and become oily.
Alternatively, you can reheat the spread in the microwave. Place the desired amount of spread in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the spread is warmed through. This method is quicker but may result in a slightly uneven heating.
If you find that the spread has thickened after refrigeration, you can stir in a small amount of sour cream or mayonnaise to help loosen it up and restore its creamy texture.
To add a fresh touch to your reheated spread, consider garnishing it with some freshly chopped green onions, bell peppers, or tomatoes. This will brighten up the flavors and make the spread look more appealing.
If you have a lot of leftover spread, consider portioning it out into smaller containers before refrigerating. This way, you can reheat only what you need and avoid wasting any of the delicious spread.
Interesting Fact About Sour Cream Shrimp Spread
Sour cream shrimp spread is a versatile dish that can be served as a dip or spread. It's a great appetizer for parties and gatherings, and it can be easily customized with different toppings and seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
Is Making Sour Cream Shrimp Spread at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this sour cream shrimp spread recipe largely depends on the availability and price of the ingredients. Shrimp and mozzarella cheese can be relatively expensive, impacting the overall cost. However, the recipe yields a substantial amount and can serve as a main dish or appetizer, making it suitable for a household. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people may range from $20 to $30, depending on the quality and quantity of ingredients. Overall Verdict: 7/10
Is Sour Cream Shrimp Spread Healthy or Unhealthy?
This sour cream shrimp spread recipe, while tasty, is not particularly healthy. The main concerns are:
- High in fat and calories due to the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese
- Lacks fiber and essential nutrients
- High in sodium from the cocktail sauce and shrimp
- Limited vegetable content, which reduces the overall nutritional value
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace half of the cream cheese with a low-fat or fat-free variety, and use reduced-fat sour cream and mayonnaise to cut down on calories and saturated fat
- Increase the amount of vegetables by adding more bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, or include other nutrient-dense options like spinach, carrots, or celery
- Opt for a low-sodium cocktail sauce or make your own using fresh tomatoes, horseradish, and lemon juice to reduce the sodium content
- Use whole-grain crackers or vegetable slices as a base instead of spreading the mixture on a pizza pan, which will add fiber and nutrients
- Incorporate additional lean protein sources, such as canned tuna or crab meat, to increase the protein content and make the spread more satisfying
By making these adjustments, you can transform this sour cream shrimp spread into a more balanced and nutritious appetizer that still retains its delicious flavor profile. The key is to focus on increasing the nutrient density while moderating the high-fat and high-sodium ingredients.
Editor's Opinion on This Sour Cream Shrimp Spread Recipe
This sour cream shrimp spread recipe is a delightful combination of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. The blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise creates a lusciously smooth base, while the addition of shrimp and cocktail sauce adds a burst of seafood goodness. The mozzarella cheese, green bell pepper, green onions, and tomatoes provide a colorful and flavorful topping that complements the spread perfectly. This dish is versatile and can be served as a dip or spread, making it a fantastic addition to any gathering or party. It's a surefire crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone coming back for more.
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Why trust this Shrimp Spread With Sour Cream Recipe:
This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, featuring fresh shrimp and a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. The addition of zesty cocktail sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese takes this spread to the next level. Topped with crunchy green bell pepper, flavorful green onions, and juicy tomatoes, this dish promises a burst of flavors in every bite. Trust the combination of quality ingredients and expertly crafted steps to deliver a delectable appetizer that will impress any gathering.
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