Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (2025)

Last Updated on: November 6, 2023

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Shrimp Newburg is similar to Thermidor as both contain seafood and a creamy sauce. In fact, the two are often mistaken for each other.

But this recipe uses sherry over white wine and calls for paprika instead of mustard. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s absolutely delectable!

Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (1)

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This shrimp Newburg recipe is a simplified version of the OG.

That said, if you look online, there are a million different twists, with peas, mushrooms, onions, and more.

One thing they all have in common, though, is that creamy sauce.

No matter how you make it, it’s the perfect partner for plump, juicy, slightly sweet shrimp.

Easy Shrimp Newburg Recipe

This decadent dish has quite a history. It’s a story of the sea, delicious food, and betrayal…

Once-upon-the-late-1800s, there was a sea captain named Ben Wenberg.

Captain Wenberg was a talented cook who was very familiar with the ocean’s bounty and how best to enjoy it.

And one of his signature dishes was lobster served in a flavorful cream sauce.

He shared the recipe with his friend, Charles Ranhofer, the owner of Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City.

And he loved it so much, he put it on his menu as Lobster a la Wenburg.

Of course, he didn’t have permission to do so. And after a contentious back and forth, he changed the name of the dish to Lobster Newburg.

Whether or not the two men settled their differences, I don’t know.

But I do know this recipe is one worth sharing. And I especially love this economical shrimp version!

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Ingredients

Traditional shrimp Newburg has eggs in the sauce. But I’m going with an egg-free recipe because it’s easier and just as rich.

  • Shrimp – Shrimp is in the name, so this is a no-brainer. Go for large, fresh shrimp.
  • Butter – Butter makes everything better. It’s also a key ingredient in the roux that thickens the sauce.
  • All-Purpose Flour – Also for the roux. This is how you get a nice thick sauce without any eggs.
  • Seasonings – You’ll need paprika, salt, and white pepper.You can use cayenne instead of paprika if you want more heat.
  • Milk & Cream – It’s a creamy sauce, so you’ll use a mix of whole milk and heavy cream. It’s silky smooth, rich, and so, so yummy.
  • Sherry Wine – Cooking sherry adds much-needed acidity to balance the dish. Without it, the cream sauce will feel very heavy. It also rounds out the dish with salty, fruity, and nutty flavors.
Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (3)

Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Newburg Every Time

  • Fresh shrimp is best. You can use frozen if that’s all you have. Just be sure it’s thawed, drained, and patted dry.
  • Use half & half instead of the mix. It’ll give you the same texture and consistency. Use an equal amount, for example, 1/2 cup of milk + 1/2 cup of cream = 1 cup of half & half.
  • Use dry vermouth if you can’t find sherry. Dry white wine, dry marsala, or chicken stock with lemon work well, too.
  • Add veggies to the sauce. Make it your own with spinach, mushrooms, or peas.
  • Add aromatics to bring it to life. It’s already pretty tasty, but you can’t go wrong with garlic and onions. Dill or tarragon are nice additions too.
  • Make it spicy. This dish is relatively mild, but you can easily swap out the paprika for cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You could even whisk your favorite hot sauce into the cream sauce.
  • Switch up the meats. Use lobster or crab if you’re feeling fancy. Crawfish will work, too!

What to Serve with Shrimp Newburg

Shrimp Newburg is one of those dishes that practically goes with everything.

It’s essentially a meat sauce, so you only need to choose what goes underneath it.

Try one of the following on the side:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Roasted veggies
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Couscous
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Cheesy polenta

Or you could serve it on top of chicken or steak. There’s nothing like a good surf n’ turf dinner, after all!

Another popular choice is to serve it in puff pastry cups. They make terrific vol-au-vents.

More Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
Popcorn Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp
Ina Garten Shrimp Scampi

Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (4)

Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

399

kcal

Shrimp Newburg is similar to Thermidor as both contain seafood and a creamy sauce. But this recipe uses sherry and calls for paprika instead of mustard.

Ingredients

  • 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined* (see NOTE)

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • 1/2 cup whole milk

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 1/4 cup sherry wine

Instructions

  • Rinse and pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Remove tails, heads, and veins, then set aside.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a skillet.
  • When the butter looks golden, whisk in the flour, paprika, salt, and white pepper. Keep whisking until it’s a thick, smooth paste.
  • Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking continuously until the flour paste (roux) is fully incorporated. It should be thick and lump-free.
  • Next, slowly add in the sherry and whisk until incorporated.
  • Continue whisking over medium heat until the sauce is thick and bubbly. Scrape the bottom and sides, so nothing burns.
  • Turn the heat to the lowest setting and let the sauce simmer gently. Stir it every minute or two.
  • In a separate frying pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Add the shrimp and sauté them for 1 minute on each side. They should be slightly pink with golden edges, but not cooked fully.
  • Add the shrimp (and extra butter) to the sauce. Stir until the butter is incorporated.
  • Continue to cook, stirring gently, for 2-3 minutes, until the shrimp is fully cooked.
  • Serve hot, and enjoy!

Notes

  • *NOTE: If using pre-cooked shrimp, skip steps 8 and 9. Go directly from step 7 to step 10 and skip the extra butter.*
Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (5)

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Creamy Shrimp Newburg Recipe (2025)

FAQs

What is Newburg sauce made of? ›

Newburg sauce is a rich and creamy egg yolk mixture that is flavored with sherry and a hint of cayenne pepper. Most often you will find this sauce served with seafood. Although the addition of ground nutmeg is optional in this seafood sauce recipe, I highly encourage its use.

What is a substitute for sherry in Newburg sauce? ›

What is an alternative to Sherry in Newburg? You can use vermouth instead of sherry or even a splash of brandy.

What are the ingredients for lobster newburg? ›

What is Newburgh in cooking? ›

4.0. (1) 2 Reviews. This classic mid-century seafood dish is rich lobster, shrimp, scallops, and fish simmered in a sherry-spiked cream sauce.

What is the difference between Thermidor and Newburg? ›

Lobster Thermidor uses a mustard-infused sauce and Gruyère cheese, while Lobster Newburg features a brandy-cream sauce with sherry and egg yolks. Lobster Thermidor pairs well with steamed asparagus, crusty French bread, or a light salad to complement its rich flavors.

What is thermidor sauce made of? ›

For the sauce
  • 25g butter.
  • 2 banana shallots or 3 small shallots, finely chopped.
  • 100ml white wine or vermouth.
  • 500ml fish stock.
  • 100ml double cream.
  • 1 tsp English mustard.
  • ½ lemon, juiced.
  • handful of parsley leaves chopped (or use a mix of parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon)

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of sherry? ›

Balsamic vinegar is sweeter and has a stronger flavor than sherry vinegar. Start with a small amount and add additional to taste. 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar = 1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of sherry? ›

For example, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of water would substitute for 1 cup of dry sherry. This is probably the best non-alcoholic substitute, especially for quantities of 1/2 cup or more. For a sweet sherry substitute, add a bit of sugar to the apple cider vinegar.

Can I use marsala instead of sherry? ›

You can use a white wine, brandy or dry vermouth (or, depending on the recipe, red wine, Port, Madeira or Marsala, knowing they will leave some residual flavor). You can also try vinegars—apple cider, wine vinegar or even rice wine vinegar.

What is poor man's lobster made from? ›

Monkfish is groundfish, meaning it swims and feeds along the bottom of the ocean. It's known to some as "the poor man's lobster" because of its firm, sweet, and delicious taste similar to lobster tails, and to some as "all mouth", because most of the fish is taken up by the head and most of the head is mouth.

Why is it called seafood Newburg? ›

What is this? Lobster Newberg was originally introduced and named after Ben Wenberg, a wealthy sea captain engaged in the fruit trade between Cuba and New York. When on shore, he customarily ate at Delmonico's Restaurant.

What is the white stuff in lobster sauce? ›

White stuff=hemolymph. It is congealed blood of the lobster. Also completely safe to eat or add to sauces or soups.

What to eat with lobster in Newburg? ›

Or simply serve Lobster Newberg on toast, over rice or over pasta.

What is Amish cooking? ›

Amish recipes are simple yet flavorful, making them perfect for a home-cooked meal. Daily dishes often include hearty meats such as pork chops, ham, roast beef, or meatloaf; dairy products like eggs and cheese; potatoes and vegetables; and desserts like shoofly pie or doughnuts.

What wine goes with Lobster Newburg? ›

Lobster Newburg: Chablis

A crisp, unoaked Chablis, like Domaine William Fèvre Chablis, provides a refreshing contrast to the dish's creaminess while harmonizing with its subtle seafood flavors.

Where did Newburg sauce originate? ›

Debuting in 1876 at Delmonico's, a fine New York restaurant, this dish was invented by sea captain Ben Wenburg. He demonstrated the recipe to restaurant manager Charles Delmonico and refinements were made by chef Charles Ranhofer.

What is lobster cream sauce made of? ›

The sauce is made with the lobster shells from cooked lobsters, so make sure to save them after you have steamed or boiled whole lobsters. The shells are cooked in butter along with vegetables, cognac, shrimp stock, and tomato paste, and then strained before cream is added.

What does Newburg mean in cooking? ›

: cooked lobster meat heated usually in a chafing dish in a sauce of cream, egg yolk, and sherry.

What is the difference between Thermador and Newberg? ›

What is difference between Lobster Newberg and Lobster Thermidor? Lobster Newburg is related to Lobster Thermidor, they are so similar - seafood in cream sauce - so that they are often confused for each other. The difference is the sauce. Thermidor sauce is thickened.

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