Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (2024)

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If you want a fancy delicious seafood dinner that’s easy to prepare, this Keto Seafood Imperial is one of my favorite keto seafood recipes!

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (1)

Whether you are using individual ramekins or reusable shells, this seafood imperial recipe comes together with jumbo lump crab meat, shrimp, scallops, and a creamy imperial sauce that turns golden brown.

If you haven't had seafood or crab imperial, get ready because this will become an all-time favorite recipe!

Looking for more seafood recipes? Check out Maryland Style Keto Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce, Crispy Keto Fried Shrimp, and Piccata Keto Fish Cakes!

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (2)

Keto Seafood Recipe

If you love seafood or are a pescatarian, this is one recipe I promise you are going to make over and over again!

Lately, I have been on a seafood kick and living in the mid-Atlantic area, I have access to plenty of fresh seafood to choose from.

I have noticed recently, and this might depend on the area you live in, I don't see crab imperial or menus as much anymore. It is unfortunate because this classic dish is one for the books!

If you are not familiar with seafood imperial, it is very similar to a crab cake mixture, except I add shrimp and scallops and don’t use any filler to bind!

With the measurements from this recipe, I got 5 good size portions making this dish, and is significantly cheaper than if I ordered it at a restaurant.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (3)

Keto Seafood Imperial Ingredient List

Seafood. This seafood imperial mixture comes together with 3 types of seafood; 1lbof lump crab meat, ½lb oftender shrimp, and ½lbof sea scallops.

Imperial Sauce. The imperial sauce is prepared with all the remaining ingredients, which include ½cupof mayonnaise, 2eggs,Lemon Juice, 2tbspof freshly chopped Parsley, 2tbspof sliced scallions or green onion, ½tsp ofOld Bay, and ½tsp ofbaking powder.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (4)

How to Make Keto Seafood Imperial

Cook shrimp and scallops. Cook shrimp and scallops in boiling water for about 2 minutes then shock in ice water to stop the cooking process.

Prep the seafood. Peel the shrimp and cut them into bite-size pieces, and quarter the scallops. When done, pick through the crab meat, looking out for any bits of shell. If you find shell bits, toss them.

Whisk together the sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk all remaining ingredients to make the imperial sauce. Pour half of the sauce into the shrimp, scallops, and crab mixture. Gently fold to combine ingredients.

Refrigerate. Let the mixture set up for 30 minutes in the fridge.

Bake. Next portion out mixture into oven-safe dishes. Bake at 425 for about 10-12 minutes until a light crust begins to form.

Continue to Bake. Then top the seafood with the remaining imperial sauce mixture and continue baking for another 5-7 minutes until the sauce turns golden brown.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (5)

Preparing Keto Seafood Imperial

The easiest way to prepare the recipe is to blanch the shrimp and scallops for about 2 minutes in boiling water. Then shock the seafood in ice water to prevent them from overcooking.

After the shrimp has cooled you can peel and devein the shrimp, cut the scallops and shrimp into bite-size chunks and then add them to the bowl with your picked crab meat.

While the seafood is boiling you can prepare the sauce mixture. Simply combine the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Once your seafood is cooked, picked, and chilled you can combine the sauce with the seafood.

You’ll use about half of the imperial sauce mixed with the seafood. The rest will be poured over the seafood imperial five minutes before the dish is finished.

The imperial sauce will bubble up and turn a beautiful golden color. The flavorful sauce really makes the seafood pop.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (6)

Recipe Tips, Tricks, and Variations

Lobster Tail. Looking to shake things up, you can swap out one of the seafood options for lobster tail if you are looking to try something new or different. I recommend checking your local seafood market for fresh lobster or stopping by the seafood section of your local grocery store to see what they have available.

Crab Meat. I don't recommend using imitation crab meat, and if you do, maybe don't tell me, but you can use it as a substitute. Imitation crab is pretty easy to find at any grocery store any time of year.

Binder. As I mentioned, this recipe doesn't need or call for a binder or bread crumbs. However, if you are looking for some crunch and want to keep it keto-friendly, I recommend using pork rinds or pork rind crumbs.

Cheese. I don't use cheese in this recipe, however, if you enjoy a cheesy seafood combination, I'd recommend testing out freshly grated, high-quality, parmesan cheese or cream cheese.

Turn up the Heat. Like every good Marylander, I season with Old Bay Seasoning, but if you are looking to give this recipe a kick, consider adding red pepper, cayenne pepper, or chili powder!

How to Serve Keto Seafood Imperial

You can use any type of oven-safe baking dish to cook the seafood imperial in but if you want to really impress I recommend these reusable scallop shells.

First, off they look cool and make for a beautiful presentation especially if you are preparing this dish for a special occasion.

Bonus: The scallop shells also conduct heat and will keep the seafood imperial hot!

I happen to have some stainless steel ones that I picked up years ago but the natural white shells work great.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (7)

The Rough Cost of Making Seafood Imperial

A rough estimate puts this recipe at about $10 per portion whereas I could see the same dish costing $25-$35 depending on the restaurant.

When buying fresh crab meat always pick through it looking for shells. If you’re using pasteurized crab there tend to be fewer shells.

I decided that lump crab would be best for this recipe instead of the more expensive jumbo lump. Either one will be tasty but backfin or lump will save you around $10.

Another reason to go with lump crab is that it acts as a natural binder to hold the rest of the seafood together.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (8)

Use Keto Seafood Imperial as a Stuffing

You can use seafood imperial as a stuffing or topping for fresh fish, chicken breasts, or even lobster tails.

Check out this Amazing Stuffed Flounder w/ Crab Imperial from grilling24x7.

You’ll see it as an add-on option at higher-end restaurants and I tend to get it whenever it’s offered.

Seafood imperial is also fantastic on top of a filet mignon. I personally think that a halibut filet topped with crab imperial is pretty close to the perfect meal.

Check out this Stuffed Tilapia Video if you want to see a few different ways to stuff fish.

I chose to use shrimp, crab, and scallops but you can add any seafood you like. I’ve seen chopped clams, lobster, and mussels used in recipes.

Even flakes of mild white fish like flounder can be used in place of crab meat for an economical version.

Depending on what seafood you have available you can customize your seafood imperial to your liking!

Seafood Imperial Side Dishes

Complete the meal with Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto, or mushroom caps as a fantastic side to serve with this mouthwatering seafood bounty!

More Keto Seafood Recipes

  • Clams Casino
  • Sriracha Lobster Roll Tacos
  • Classic Salmon Croquettes
  • Piccata Fish Cakes with Spicy Lemon Caper Aioli
  • Chesapeake Crab Dip
  • Smoked Whole Red Snapper
  • Low Carb Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (9)

Keto Seafood Imperial

Culinary Lion

If you want a fancy Delicious seafood dinner that’s easy to prepare this Keto Seafood Imperial is one of my favorite keto seafood recipes

4.84 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine French

Servings 5

Calories 334 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook shrimp and scallops in boiling water for about 2 minutes then shock in ice water to stop cooking process.

  • Peel the shrimp, cut into bite size pieces and quarter the scallops. Pick the crab meat looking for any bits of shell.

  • In a separate bowl whisk all remaining ingredients to make imperial sauce. Pour half of the sauce into the shrimp, scallops and crab mixture. Gently fold to combine ingredients.

  • Let mixture set up for 30 minutes in the fridge. Next portion out mixture into oven safe dishes. Bake at 425 for about 10-12 minutes until a light crust begins to form

  • Then top the seafood with remaining imperial sauce mixture and continue baking for another 5-7 minutes until sauce turns golden brown.

Notes

Serving size is about 8oz

Nutrition

Serving: 8ozCalories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 34gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 1458mgPotassium: 398mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 283IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Seafood, Seafood Imperial

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition Facts

Keto Seafood Imperial

Amount Per Serving (8 oz)

Calories 334Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 238mg79%

Sodium 1458mg63%

Potassium 398mg11%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 34g68%

Vitamin A 283IU6%

Vitamin C 13mg16%

Calcium 144mg14%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keto Seafood Imperial Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is crab imperial sauce made of? ›

While the imperials are cooking, combine Imperial Topping ingredients (mayonnaise, half & half, seafood seasoning, lemon juice & Worcestershire sauce) in a medium mixing bowl and whip until smooth.

Which seafood is keto friendly? ›

  • Tuna.
  • Salmon.
  • Sardines.
  • Crab.
  • Oysters.
  • Clams.
  • Mackerel.
  • Shrimp.

Why is imitation crab not keto? ›

For example, imitation crab derives most of its calories from added carbs. The calories in an Alaskan king crab are derived from proteins, not from carbs. If you're on a keto or low-carb diet and are trying to cut your carb intake, real crab would be the better choice.

What is the best fish to eat on a low carb diet? ›

Salmon – Packed with a high fat content, salmon – particularly wild salmon – serves up a robust, buttery flavor that is versatile across many keto recipes at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cod – Cod makes the cut on our keto list because it's low in carbohydrates – just 2% of your recommended daily value.

Does crab Imperial have carbs? ›

Crab Imperial (1 cup) contains 8.4g total carbs, 7.9g net carbs, 20.6g fat, 39.9g protein, and 386 calories.

What is the difference between deviled crab and crab imperial? ›

Similar to crab cakes, deviled crab also uses binders like breadcrumbs and egg to keep the mix together. Like crab imperial, its baked in a ramekin or other baking vessel. But a big difference between the three is that deviled crab is the most intensely seasoned.

What seafood has no carbs? ›

Fish and other seafood tend to provide incredibly nutritious and healthy benefits. They're particularly high in B12, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids — all nutrients many people do not get enough. Like meat, almost all types of fish and seafood contain next to no carbs.

Can I eat fish everyday on keto? ›

Fish and shellfish are very keto-friendly. Salmon and other fish are not only nearly carb-free but also rich in B vitamins, potassium, and selenium ( 9 ). However, the carb count in shellfish varies by type. While shrimp and most crabs contain no carbs, oysters and octopus do.

Is salmon or tuna better for keto? ›

High in protein and low in calories and carbohydrates, tuna makes for a great fish option when planning your keto diet dinners.

Is Mayo good for keto? ›

Mayonnaise is the perfect condiment for the Keto Diet because it consists of high fat, low protein, and zero carbohydrates. It also has many health benefits that can help you maintain Ketosis and achieve your weight loss goals on the Keto diet.

Can you eat cream cheese on keto? ›

Cream cheese: Cream cheese is very popular in the keto diet. At only 84 calories per 1 ounce serving, it has 1 gram of carbs and 2 grams of protein but packs 8 grams of fat per serving. It can be a keto-friendly snack or meal addition when more fat is needed.

Why is shrimp not keto? ›

Is shrimp keto? If you're following a keto diet, shrimp is keto-friendly, virtually carb-free, and very low in fat and calories. Healthy, clean proteins like shrimp make it painless to limit carbs, and the low fat and calorie counts mean you can manage weight while feeling full and enjoying fantastic meals.

What happens if you eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

How much weight can you lose in 2 weeks without carbs? ›

The amount of weight you can lose on a low-carb diet in 2 weeks can vary widely depending on factors such as your starting weight, adherence to the diet, and individual metabolism. Some individuals have reported losing up to 10 pounds or more in two weeks, while others may experience less dramatic results.

What is the difference between crab cakes and crab imperial? ›

What is the difference between crab imperial and crabcakes? Crab Imperial has a sweet and savory flavor and is very similar to crab cakes without the addition of a filler. It contains many of the same ingredients as a traditional crab cake recipe, but crab imperial is a richer version of the dish.

What do you serve with crab Imperial? ›

What To Serve With Crab Imperial - 36 Side Dishes
  • Meat. • 1 portion Skirt steak.
  • Seafood. • 1 portion Popcorn shrimp.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 portion Garlic bread. • 1 portion Hush puppies, fried.
  • Deli. • 1 portion Tossed green salad. • 1 portion Vinegar coleslaw, sweet.
  • Other. • ... and more.

What is imitation crab dip made of? ›

The main ingredient in this dip is surimi crab, otherwise known as imitation crab. It's typically made from dense white fish such as pollock, and shaped into the form of crab meat. It's mixed with mayonnaise, green onion, celery, and shredded cheese. That's it!

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