Potted shrimps is a traditional meal that is usually made with Morecambe bay shrimp, although any small type of shrimp can be used in the dish. The shrimps are boiled in seawater, and then cooked in clarified butter. Additionally, the shrimps are often seasoned with pepper, cloves, cayenne pepper, mace, and nutmeg.

Butter acts as a preservative, hence the name of the dish. Shrimps are usually served over thin slices of toast or greens such as cress, but they can also be added to a number of pasta dishes.