As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us eagerly anticipate the roast turkey and herby stuffing, the comforting aroma of pumpkin spiced treats, and the warmth of gathering with family and friends.
While these classic dishes hold a special place in our hearts and on our tables, it's fun to shake things up a bit and introduce a new tradition to your Thanksgiving table. Enter seafood!
Whether you're a seafood aficionado or simply looking to add some variety to your holiday menu, incorporating seafood dishes can elevate your Thanksgiving feast to a new level of decadence and sophistication.
Today we're diving into the world of seafood recipes specially crafted to make your Thanksgiving celebration unforgettable. From succulent shrimp and creamy lobster to flaky white fish and sweet crab, we'll explore a variety of options that will satisfy both seafood lovers and traditionalists alike. Whether you're near the coast or in the heartland, there's a seafood recipe for everyone to enjoy.
Keep reading for the most luxurious twists on the classic Thanksgiving dinner, as well as simple and memorable appetizers, sides and soups to add to your traditional spread. So let's roll up our sleeves, sharpen our knives, and get ready to create a seafood-centric Thanksgiving feast that will leave our guests awed and inspired.
24 Best Seafood Thanksgiving Ideas
Stuffed Shrimp Casserole
Crab-stuffed shrimp is an unforgettable special occasion dinner. For an easier version of the classic dish, this recipe turns stuffed shrimp into a casserole, making a one-pan dinner. Full of tender shrimp, succulent crab meat and buttery cracker filling, this seafood casserole will be the highlight of your holiday dinner party.
Grilled Whole Fish with Olive & Herb Sauce
This easy and impressive whole fish recipe can be grilled outside or inside on the stovetop, making it perfect for your lineup of seafood Thanksgiving recipes. Serving a whole pan grilled fish with Mediterranean olive and herb sauce will be the start of a new Thanksgiving tradition. Delicious and flavorful, but light enough to save room for pumpkin pie and whipped cream! Use whole branzino, snapper, tilapia, or your favorite white fish.
Garlic Butter Baked Colossal Shrimp
An upscale main course (or delicious seafood starter!) in a hurry. These baked colossal shrimp are swimming in the most delicious lemon garlic butter sauce. Use fresh shrimp or frozen, either will give you a restaurant-quality dish. Serve with lemon wedges and just watch the crowd go wild!
Sockeye Salmon with Honey Lemon Butter
Sockeye is a quick-cooking Thanksgiving Day menu option. The sauce in this salmon recipe is so simple to make but distinctive and craveable. The honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness and the almonds bring great texture. It can be ready in under 30 minutes, and served with a sophisticated Duchess Potato Casserole and Fancy Green Beans, you'll be the talk of the town.
Seafood Pasta with White Wine Garlic Sauce
If pasta is on your holiday season wish list, this Seafood Pasta with Garlic and White Wine Sauce recipe is your dream come true! The light, fresh flavors of the sauce are the loveliest pairing with seared scallops and shrimp. But the seafood pairing possibilities are endless. This easy recipe would be delicious with chunks of lobster tails, clams, mussels, shrimp or lump crab meat. Pick your favorite combination and get ready for a flavorful and sophisticated seafood party.
Shrimp and Grits Dressing
Your favorite Thanksgiving side dish meets your favorite low country vacation dinner. Shrimp and Grits Dressing is flavored with Old Bay Seasoning, red bell pepper and juicy shrimp. It's an homage to the American South, where shrimp and grits and cornbread dressing collide in one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes of all time. So skip the traditional boxed stuffing mix this year and spring for this seafood dressing!
Lobster Chowder
A luxurious seafood chowder that can be stewed and on the table in under an hour. This delicious and creamy Maine Lobster Chowder Recipe will become your signature stew. It works well as light but luxurious Thanksgiving meal, or as an appetizer or first course for your holiday dinner. If lobster is out of your budget, grab a bag of frozen shrimp at the grocery, and use it in place of lobster meat. Serve this creamy soup with Garlic Herb Baguette and your holiday feast will be complete.
Portuguese Monkfish Stew
Here is a true taste of Portuguese cuisine. This rich and savory monkfish stew is flavored with wine, tomatoes, garlic, smoked paprika and brimming with gorgeous chunks of monkfish (also known as "poor man's lobster" for it's sweet, firm likeness to lobster tail). If monkfish is hard to find in your local market, substitute shrimp, cod or your favorite seafood flavors in this simple recipe. Make this easy but impressive pot of stew and bring warm Southern European flavors to your holiday table!
King Crab Legs with Lemon Butter Sauce
Nothing says "Happy Thanksgiving" like a platter of giant king crab legs drenched in lemon butter sauce, right? They may not have been on that first Thanksgiving table, but the they're the perfect addition to your new, seafood-forward holiday menu. Since most crab legs in the United States are sold frozen, this easy recipe guides you step by step to preparing succulent, sweet and steamy king crab legs for you and your loved ones.
New England Seafood Casserole
This stunner of a seafood casserole includes succulent seafood bathed in a creamy sherry sauce flavored with shallots, garlic and mushrooms. The rich filling is topped with crispy potato sticks and parmesan cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden. It’s the perfect baked seafood dish for holiday dinner parties or your Thanksgiving dinner. Simple and easy to prepare with a fantastic appearance and flavor. Substitute panko crumbs, buttery crackers or crushed potato ships if you're looking for a more traditional topping.
Broiled Crab Cakes (No Filler!)
Nothing tastes like a beach vacation quite like a truly delicious crab cake. Bring that Eastern Shore flavor to your Thanksgiving table with these Broiled Crab Cakes (heavy on the crab, no filler!) This is a no fuss and no muss kind of recipe. Good crab meat is pricey, and you want to be confident you're getting a great crab cake out of your investment! This recipe ensures a stunning crab cake on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Or make mini-sized cakes and serve them as appetizers with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Brothy Butter & Herb Steamed Clams
Buttery steamed clams are a lovely main dish for Thanksgiving. Or serve them over grilled baguette slices for a flavor-packed appetizer. The recipe includes instructions for making this dish without wine, if you prefer cooking alcohol-free.
Sautéed Mahi-Mahi in Garlic Mascarpone Sauce
This sautéed mahi mahi in a mouthwatering garlic mascarpone sauce is the easiest fancy dinner you’ll make this year! The flaky fish pairs perfectly with rich and creamy lemon garlic sauce, and the whole dish is a one-pot affair. It's a Thanksgiving miracle for us all! Serve with mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts for a holiday-worthy meal.
Lazy Lobster Casserole
Lobster Casserole with a Crispy Buttery Topping is a classic way to prepare fresh Maine lobster. Grab this easy recipe and you’ll have your own New England culinary adventure for Thanksgiving this year! This version offers a unique take on that buttery topping. We use crushed cornflake crumbs over tender lobster drenched in lemon garlic butter sauce. It's the dish your family will ask for all year round!
Brown Butter Scallops over Charred Corn Polenta
If scallops are destined for your Thanksgiving table, grab this foolproof recipe for preparing frozen scallops. Recipe includes step-by-step instructions on properly thawing these sea-nuggets. We'll serve our perfect scallops over a bowl of charred corn polenta. Then drizzle the whole glorious dish with brown butter sauce. It's a restaurant dining experience any time of year!
Grilled Octopus with Greek Vinaigrette
This Greek octopus recipe is fast and simple and brings all the flavors of the Mediterranean to your doorstep. No passport required. Fire up your outdoor grill, or use an indoor grill pan or skillet to make this classic dish. Serve whole tentacles for the main dish with grilled veggies. Or cut the octopus into 1-inch pieces and serve on toothpicks for a fun appetizer.
Parmesan Sautéed Walleye
Crispy parmesan crusted walleye is the perfect pescatarian take on one of Ina Garten‘s most famous chicken recipes. Served with a fresh arugula salad dressed in homemade olive oil and lemon juice vinaigrette, this dish will be your favorite new recipe for your monthly rotation.
Hazelnut Brown Butter Sauce with Seafood Ravioli
If you’re looking for a fast but no-fail recipe for a special occasion dinner at home, look no further. This Brown Butter Seafood Ravioli Sauce will dress up your store-bought seafood ravioli and put a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Nutty brown butter, fresh lemon juice, rich hazelnuts and fresh herbs are a match made in heaven. Spring for cheese or vegetable ravioli and this will be one of your new favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes!
Potato Crusted Chilean Sea Bass
A stunning seafood dish for for your special occasion holiday dinner at home. Crispy, potato-crusted sea bass with herb butter sauce is the fancy French preparation that will impress everyone. You'll look like a Michelin chef in your own kitchen. Serve simply over a pile of sauteed spinach to soak up all that lovely butter sauce.
Mediterranean Charcuterie Board (Mezze Platter)
The perfect Thanksgiving appetizer spread for friends and family. This Mediterranean Mezze Platter is customized to include all your favorite bites and nibbles in the same glorious place. Feature Greek Grilled Octopus or Savory Shrimp Skewers, then add your best collection of appetizers and dips to keep the good times rolling. Break out your best platter and let’s get this charcuterie party started!
Stuffed Calamari
If you're looking for upscale Italian for your Thanksgiving seafood extravaganza, try this gorgeous stuffed calamari recipe! Italian stuffed calamari is a pescatarian holiday wonder dish. Tender calamari, filled with parmesan-seasoned bread and herbs and braised in a savory red sauce. Served over pasta or polenta, it’s the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Or serve it as an appetizer at your holiday dinner party.
Creamy Shrimp Cannelloni
Tender, sweet shrimp in creamy bechamel sauce served over pasta stuffed with the most delicious spinach ricotta filling. This is the perfect recipe for your annual Thanksgiving gathering. Serve it with Mediterranean Tossed Salad and a warm baguette for a make-ahead holiday dish.
Phillips Maryland Crab Soup
Here is the savory, tomato-based cousin of creamy crab soup. This healthier Maryland Crab Soup Recipe is loaded with veggies and sweet crab meat. It makes the perfect cozy and elevated soup course for your holiday table. It’s an Eastern Shore classic and the very best use for any crab leftovers throughout your party season. Substitute lobster chunks or even frozen shrimp, for a more budget friendly option.
Lemon Butter Baked Walleye
The easiest, tastiest baked fish recipe that will have the whole gang asking for seconds. This simple baked walleye dish (substitute cod, haddock, halibut, or your favorite white fish) can be made with asparagus or green beans in the same pan with the lemon butter sauce, giving you a one-pan holiday dinner in 20 minutes! This recipe is one of the most popular choices on Weekday Pescatarian, and it's the perfect dish for a Thanksgiving party.
Whether you're serving a traditional big bird or a gorgeous grouper, make this year the best Thanksgiving. Bring a new seafood dish to your holiday table!
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