Easy Maryland Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe

We all need those recipes in our back pocket.  The ones that can impress without a ton of effort. The best part about this Easy Maryland Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe is that it is affordable as well!  You won’t be able to get a meal like this out at a restaurant cheaper than you can make it at home.  It’s a recipe that’s great for a special occasion. 

 

What Makes it Maryland Crab Stuffed Flounder?

Well of course the Old Bay seasoning.  This recipe is basically the filling of a crab cake on top of a flounder filet!  Marylanders would never dream of serving crab without Old Bay.  If you love a good Maryland Style crab cake, you’ll love this recipe!  And above all only use fresh crab.  Fresh crab is available in most grocery stores at the seafood counter. 

Easy Maryland Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe Tips

One of the biggest tips  I have is to always preheat your baking sheet in the oven before adding your fish.  I cover mine with a nice thin coating of olive oil and I put it into the oven as it preheats.  This keeps your fish from steaming too much.  You’ll get nice golden edges on your fish.  You could use a baking dish, but a baking sheet will conduct more heat and ensure those crispy edges. 

I also highly recommend you put a spritz of cooking spray on top of the stuffing. It’s important so that you get it nice and browned.  You could use melted butter , but oil works just fine!

Always use wild caught flounder fillets. They will be the best quality. Using sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood is key and it will be even more nutritious. 

I also don’t use lump crab meat. I use one labeled “special” which includes smaller pieces of the meat from the crab.  You want your stuffing to hold together.  I use regular Italian bread crumbs versus panko as well.  This is for the same reason. Smaller pieces are going to hold together better.  This is the method I use for my crab cakes as well.  

Although this is called stuffed flounder, flounder is a very flat fish and they are usually thinner filets.   I considered rolling the flounder fillets, but they are just so delicate and I thought the flounder rolls wouldn’t cook up as easily.  I simply gather the filling on top of the fish.  It works great and it’s not too fussy!

The crab meat stuffing is really just the same way I make crab cakes.  I always garnish this dish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.  You could use any fresh herbs you like. 

For a wine pairing, white wine is definitely the move here. This recipe screams summer and so a nice glass of Rose would be lovely!

Substitutions for this Recipe

This recipe is pretty straight forward.  While fresh flounder fillets are the best choice, you could use another mild white fish. Tilapia and cod are good substitutes. You don’t want the fish overpowering the crab stuffing. You want a delicate flavor.  Other than that there really aren’t any other substitutions to me made. 

If you don’t have breadcrumbs- ground saltine crackers are a great substitute, but makes sure you pulse them a bit. 

​What to serve with fresh Easy Maryland Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe

I like serving this recipe with roasted vegetables and rice.  Other things to serve with this delicious meal would be salad, pasta , fresh spinach sauteed in olive oil or baked potatoes.  

How do I know when the fish is done?

i recommend cooking this recipe at 400 degrees f for 13-18 minutes.  How long you cook it will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the stuffing mixture.  Mine has always been done in around 15 minutes. Your fish should be 145 degrees fahrenheit when it is finished cooking. 

You want to ensure the fish flakes easily and that the internal temp is 145 degrees fahrenheit. It’s truly that easy and fish is so quick cooking!  Cooking time will of course vary with different ovens and different fish so be sure to watch it the first time around while you get to know the recipe.  No one wants dry overcooked fish or crabmeat stuffing. 

Leave a Rating and Review

This recipe is for the seafood lover and it looks like restaurant quality, but it’s made right in your home kitchen! Stuffed fish just has an impressive vibe and this is one of my favorite dishes.  It’s also one of those healthy recipes that is still iasy for entertaining. If you make it, please leave a rating and review.  I’d love to know how it went for you!  

 

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