Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (2024)

Homemade Shellfish Stock is a luscious liquid full of lobster flavor. Use to make soups, bisque, and pho. Needless to say, the aroma that will permeate your kitchen will make you hungry. Shellfish stock is just as quick and easy to make as chicken bone or beef bone stock. Most importantly, don’t throw away your seafood shells. Make shrimp stock, crab stock, or seafood stock. Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (1)

What is the Difference Between Stock and Broth:

Broth is a liquid cooked with meat. In fact, the major difference is stock is made with bones. Consequently, it normally contains a mirepoix (celery, onion, and carrots). Stock often has bones or shells. Often times the bones will release marrow into the liquid thereby making it healthier and tastier. While roasting can be skipped it does, however, enhance the flavor of the stock. Stock is therefore used as a base in many other recipes such as soups, gravies, or other items.

Homemade Shellfish Stock:

In any case, don’t throw out your lobster, shrimp, crab, clam, or mussel shells. By the way, I simply place my shells into a freezer bag until I have enough to make stock. Subsequently, I freeze my lobster shells and shrimp shells separately. However, if you are going to make a seafood stew they can all be stored together. Often times I smash the shells. Smashing lobster shells will make them easier to store in the freezer. Hence, to smash place shells into a large sealable plastic bag and smash the shells with a hammer.

In conclusion, I allowed my stock to chill overnight in the refrigerator and the butter solids came to the surface.

Personal Notes:

Nonetheless, homemade stock tastes far better than any you could purchase. Not to mention, if I have shelled out the money for seafood I don’t want to waste anything. This stock can also be canned. Follow canning directions for pressure canning from the manufacturer.

Without a doubt, the quickest way to preserve the stock is to freeze it.

Nevertheless, if you can’t find Marsala Wine or are in need of a good Stock Pot Amazon has both. Check out my Turkey Bone Broth.

Homemade Shellfish Stock:

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups of water
  • 3 cups white wine
  • 1/3 cup sliced onion
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup Marsala wine or white wine * (optional)
  • 1 sprig dill
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup sliced celery
  • 8 lobster shells, or 2 cups shrimp shells, or 2 large crab shells,
  • 1/3 cup sliced carrots

Directions:

First, preheat your oven to 4oo* F. Second, place your shellfish shells onto a baking sheet. Roast the shells for 10 minutes. However, roasting the shells will enhance the flavor of your stock. Allow shells to cool slightly before placing them into a large stockpot. Next, place the carrots and celery in the bottom of the pan. Add in the remaining ingredients except for the shells. Place the shells on top.Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (2) Finally, bring the liquid to a simmer. Don’t allow the stock to boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 3 – 4 hours. Once the stock has finished cooking remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool. Strain through a sieve to remove the shells and any large particles.

Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (3) Lastly, place the 1 1/2 cup per quart-size freezer bag.Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (4) Date and label each freezer bag. Lay the bag flat in the freezer. Stores for up to six months. If desiring a clear broth pour through a sieve to remove butter solids.

Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe

Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe how to make DIY seafood shell broth from scratch to create other recipes. Pour into freezer bags and freeze.

Course Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Bread for Soup, Clamshells, Crab, Homemade from Scratch, Lobster Recipe, Mussel, Shellfish, Shrimp, Stock

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 hours hours

10 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 7 cups

Calories 157kcal

Equipment

Stockpot

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 3 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup sliced onions
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup Marsala Wine optional
  • 1 sprig dill
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup roughly chopped celery
  • 8 approximately 2 cups lobster shells, or shrimp shells, or crab shells, or clam shells,
  • 1/3 cup roughly chopped carrots

Instructions

  • First, preheat your oven to 4oo* F.

  • Second, place your shellfish shells on to a baking sheet and place into the oven. Roa

  • Roast the shells for 10 minutes.

  • Allow shells to cool slightly before placing them into a large stockpot.

  • Next, place the carrots and celery in the bottom of the pan.

  • Finally, add in the remaining ingredients except for the lobster shells.

  • Place the shells on top.

  • Finally, bring the liquid to a simmer.

  • Don't allow the stock to boil.

  • Reduce the heat and let simmer for 2-3 hours.

  • Once the stock has finished cooking remove from the heat.

  • Allow to cool.

  • Strain through a sieve to remove the shells and any large particles.

  • Lastly, place the 1 1/2 cup per each quart-size freezer bag.

  • Date and label each freezer bag.

  • Lay the bag flat in the freezer.

  • Stores for up to six months.

  • If desiring a clear broth pour through a sieve to remove butter solids.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Servings7.0
Amount Per Serving
Calories157
% Daily Value *
Total Fat13g21%
Saturated Fat8g41%
Monounsaturated Fat4g
Polyunsaturated Fat1g
Trans Fat0g
Cholesterol38mg13%
Sodium361mg15%
Potassium87mg2%
Total Carbohydrate2g1%
Dietary Fiber0g2%
Sugars1g
Protein2g3%
Vitamin A156%
Vitamin C1%
Calcium16%
Iron0%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal

Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (6)Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (7)

Homemade Shellfish Stock Recipe made with empty seafood shells (2024)

FAQs

Can you use mussel shells for seafood stock? ›

* Both raw and cooked shells are a wonderful addition to the seafood stock pot. Stock made of shrimp, crab and crawfish shells is one of the secrets of Cajun cookery. Lobster, clam and mussel shells make wonderful stock as well.

Can crab shells be used for stock? ›

Seafood shells and bones: Seafood shells provide tons of briny, sweet flavor in this stock. You can use any combination of shrimp, crab, and lobster shells - or fish bones.

What is the difference between seafood stock and seafood broth? ›

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

What to do with shrimp heads and shells? ›

1/ Never throw out your prawn heads and shells. Just fry them up with a few aromatics, add water, simmer and strain, for a full-flavoured, heady prawn stock that can be the start of anything from a French bisque to a Thai hot and sour soup to a Marseillaise bouillabaisse or Singaporean laksa.

What can shellfish shells be used for? ›

Agriculture and Horticulture: The calcium-rich composition of oyster shells makes them an excellent soil amendment in agricultural and horticultural practices. Crushed oyster shells are used to adjust soil pH levels, especially in acidic soils, promoting optimal conditions for plant growth.

Is there anything you can do with mussel shells? ›

Mussel shells are perfect for - of course - stuffed mussels. They also make a great cooking and serving vessel for many other appetizers. (I use them mostly for appetizers because of their size.)

What can I do with empty crab shells? ›

If you are talking of a couple of crab shells, throw it into the compost pile, or into the river. It is all good food for bacteria, etc, to recycle into the web of life.

What can be done with crab shells? ›

Crab Stock: The shells and innards of the crab can be used to make a flavorful stock that can be used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces. Crab Bisque: Crab bisque is a rich and creamy soup that is made with crab stock, crab meat, and a variety of vegetables and seasonings.

Can crab shells be used for anything? ›

Chitosan, found in the shells of crustaceans, is a surprisingly versatile compound that can be used to make everything from fertilizers to food preservers. Crab shells contain chitosan, a valuable compound with a broad range of applications.

What fish makes the best stock? ›

The best fish bones to use for making fish stock are ones from mild, lean, white fish like halibut, cod, or flounder. As a general rule, you'll want to avoid salmon, trout, mackerel, or other oily, fatty fish since their strong flavor will likely overpower your finished dish.

How long does homemade seafood stock last? ›

Remove the stock from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container; let cool completely. Refrigerate the stock for up to 3 days or freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

Can shrimp shells be used for anything? ›

Make Homemade Shrimp Stock with Them Instead

It starts with buying your shrimp unpeeled, getting those peels off, and then saving them in a 1 gallon zip-loc bag in your freezer. Every time you use shrimp, add the shells, until the bag is full. Then it's time to make some stock.

Are shrimp shells good for anything? ›

Shrimp shell is a part rich in lean protein, healthy fats and minerals but often overlooked. Regular consumption of shellfish can boost immunity, aid in weight loss, and promote brain and heart health. However, this type of shell can be allergenic and contains some heavy metals.

How do you use mussel shells for stock? ›

Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. ...
  2. Place shells in a large stockpot, cover with water no more than half an inch above the level of the shells. ...
  3. Heat on high until small bubbles rise to the surface. ...
  4. After one hour, add wine, tomato paste, rosemary, parsley, bay leaf and peppercorns.

What can I use in place of seafood stock? ›

Chicken broth is a versatile and suitable substitute for fish broth. It won't have the flavor of the sea like fish broth, but it adds a background umami flavor that won't overpower other flavors in your soup. It's a common substitute in many seafood soup recipes.

What is the best way to dispose of mussel shells? ›

Composting is the environmentally friendly choice. Composting organics avoids the release of methane gas that would otherwise be released when organics end up at the landfill. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas.

What to do with mussel shells after eating? ›

Putting them in your compost pile or bin is a better way to give the shells the conditions they need to break down. If you break them up a bit as well, that gives them a head start. It also enriches the nutrients in the compost if you end up using it in your garden.

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