British · Appetizers

Potted Shrimps

Tiny brown shrimps set in spiced butter and turned out on toast. Morecambe Bay has sent them south since the eighteenth century and nothing has improved on them.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 30 min total Serves 6 servings Easy
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Potted Shrimps — British appetizers recipe, served and ready to eat

Image note: Illustration, generated by AI · not a photograph of this dish

Method

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  1. Melt the 200 g butter in a wide pan over the lowest heat with the mace, cayenne, nutmeg and salt. Do not let it bubble.

  2. Take the pan off the heat, tip in the shrimps and turn them through the butter until they are warm and coated.

  3. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning — it should be noticeably peppery.

  4. Divide between six small pots, pressing the shrimps down so the butter rises around them.

  5. Refrigerate 30 minutes, until firm.

  6. Melt the remaining butter, let the milky solids settle, and pour the clear fat over each pot to seal.

  7. Refrigerate until set, then bring back to cool room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Chef’s Tips

  • Never let the butter bubble. The shrimps only need warming.
  • Mace, not nutmeg. It is the flavour that makes it taste right.
  • Seal with clarified butter or they will not keep.

Pairing Suggestions

  • Hot brown toast
  • Cayenne and lemon
  • A cold dry white

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerated under their butter seal for 5 days. Once broken, eat within 2 days.

Common questions

How long does Potted Shrimps take to make?

About 30 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Potted Shrimps?

Never let the butter bubble. The shrimps only need warming. Mace, not nutmeg. It is the flavour that makes it taste right. Seal with clarified butter or they will not keep.

What should I serve with Potted Shrimps?

Hot brown toast; Cayenne and lemon; A cold dry white.

How should Potted Shrimps be stored?

Refrigerated under their butter seal for 5 days. Once broken, eat within 2 days.

Is Potted Shrimps suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is gluten-free, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Potted Shrimps?

About 420 kcal per serving, with 16 g protein, 1 g carbohydrate and 39 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

420Calories
16gProtein
1gCarbs
39gFat
0gFibre
0gSugar
780mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.