25 Best Seafood Thanksgiving Recipes for the Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition filled with warmth, gratitude, and a dinner table overflowing with delicious food. But what if this year, instead of the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing, you embarked on a culinary adventure with Thanksgiving seafood ideas that celebrate the sea’s bounty?

Picture this: a seafood-centric menu that tantalizes your taste buds and creates unforgettable memories. Each bite transports you to coastal shores, from succulent shrimp to buttery lobster and delicate scallops. Buckle up for an extraordinary feast like no other!

If you’re looking for food ideas for Friendsgiving, read on for seafood starters, entrees, sides, soup, and pasta recipes.

Appetizers: Crab Dip, Seafood Platter, Seafood-stuffed Mushrooms and more

If you want to kick off your seafood Thanksgiving feast with mouthwatering appetizers, we’ve got you covered! Indulge in the delectable flavors of crab, lobster, or scallops that will leave your taste buds begging for more. These mini bites are packed with tender meat and flavorful add-ins, making them a crowd pleaser.

Here are some tips to make sure your seafood appetizers turn out perfectly:

1. Use fresh ingredients: Fresh seafood is the best way to achieve high-quality flavor and texture.
2. Don’t overcook: Seafood can become tough if cooked for too long, so keep an eye on cooking times.
3. Pair with wine: A crisp white wine pair beautifully with seafood appetizers.
4. Read reviews: Before trying a new recipe, check out reviews from other cooks for tips and modifications.

So go ahead, hang up Thanksgiving banners, decorate your home with bold Thanksgiving colors, and get creative with your seafood appetizers to make this Thanksgiving a special occasion. Your guests will be raving about these delicious starters long after the holiday!

Seafood Appetizers for Thanksgiving this Year

Easy-to-make seafood appetizers are a great way to start your Thanksgiving meal. Whether you serve clam dip, smoked salmon, or shrimp deviled eggs, a delicious seafood starter will set the tone for a delicious feast.

Main Dishes: Lobster Oreganata, Holiday Baked Salmon and more

Let main courses like succulent lobster tail, festive baked salmon and more take center stage this Thanksgiving day. Along with a handmade Thanksgiving centerpiece, these seafood main dish ideas will make your Thanksgiving feast unforgettable.

How to Make a Lobster Oreganata

Lobster oreganata is an excellent choice for this time of year if you want to add elegance and please the seafood lover in your life. Learning how to cook lobster is likely easier than you may think.

This delicious dish combines baked lobster meat with a flavorful parsley breadcrumb topping. Put it on your menu as a restaurant-quality dish with a delicious taste and a beautiful appearance you can easily make at home.

Lobster Oreganata Recipe

This simple recipe serves two. Feel free to double or triple as needed.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make lobster oreganata:

• 2 lobster tails
• 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• ½ cup of red wine (optional)
• ¼ cup of olive oil

Follow these instructions:

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 400℉.
2. Then, start the prep process by preparing the lobster tails. Start by cutting the shell lengthwise on the belly side.
3. Next, place the lobster on a baking sheet and spread out the tail to expose the meat. After that, sprinkle the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, and wine on top.
4. Make sure to spread out your ingredients evenly on the baking sheet. Once that’s done, drizzle the olive oil on top and bake the dish in the oven. 
5. The lobster should only take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook. However, cooking time can vary depending on the size of the tails. 

How to Make Holiday Baked Salmon

For a festive and delicious main course, try making baked salmon. Baking salmon in the oven gives it a beautifully caramelized crust while keeping the flesh moist and succulent. It’s another gourmet-quality dish that you can easily prepare at home.

Furthermore, salmon pairs well with most other dishes, so you can please a crowd while customizing the menu to your preference.

Does your oven need a cleaning? Give it a review before inviting everybody over.

Holiday Baked Salmon Recipe

Simple, savory, and a surefire win, baked salmon brings a touch of elegance to your holiday spread without the fuss. Arrange handmade rolled beeswax candles on the table and snap a few pictures of the beauty before enjoying the meal.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make holiday baked salmon:

• 2 pounds of whole salmon filet
• 1 cup of pomegranate juice
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 thinly sliced shallots
• ½ teaspoon of minced rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Follow these instructions:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 450℉. Then, you can move on to making your sauce. Whisk the pomegranate juice, honey, mustard, and garlic in a large bowl. 
2. After that, grab a large saucepan and drizzle in the olive oil. As soon as it heats up, add in the shallots. Allow them to cook down until they’re caramelized and golden brown. 
3. Next, add the rosemary and pomegranate liquid. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. 
4. At this point, you can add the salt and pepper to taste. Then, pour your mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet and set it aside. With your sauce ready, you can turn your attention to the salmon. 
5. Begin by patting the fish dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Next, sprinkle an even amount of salt and pepper all over the filet. After that, place your salmon in the middle of the baking sheet, skin-side down, and pop it in the oven for 7 minutes. 
6. You can spoon some of the sauce on top of the fish as it bakes. Then, flip the salmon and let it cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, serve with a generous helping of sauce on each portion.

Roast Turkey Who? Dive into Delectable Seafood Entrees for Thanksgiving

These seafood stars will make your Thanksgiving table a feast to remember. No need for fancy skills—just simple, tasty dishes that’ll have your family hooked on a new holiday tradition. Let’s dive into a Thanksgiving with a coastal twist!

Side Dishes: Crab Cakes and more

To truly elevate your seafood Thanksgiving feast, it’s essential to have some delectable side dishes that perfectly complement your main dishes. One fantastic option is crab cakes.

How to Make Crab Cakes

Even though this recipe calls for many ingredients, it couldn’t be simpler to prepare. All you have to do is add all the ingredients into a bowl and combine them.

Crab Cakes Recipe

Here’s your ticket to crispy, finger-licking bliss.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make crab cakes:

• 1 pound of fresh lump crab meat
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup of mayonnaise
• ⅔ cup of saltine cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of allspice
• Pinch of salt

Follow these instructions:

1. Fold the mixture gently. Remember, crab meat can be fragile, so you don’t want to turn it into a paste. 
2. Next, pop the bowl into your fridge for at least 30 minutes. This will firm up the mixture and make it easier to shape.
3. Use a half-cup measuring spoon to portion your batter into six mounds. Then, use your hands to shape them into balls and place the cakes onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake in a 450℉ oven for 12 to 14 minutes. 

Vegetable Side Dish Options That Pair Perfectly with Seafood

In addition to seafood sides, there are plenty of vegetable side dishes that will complement your seafood Thanksgiving spread:

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Garlic-Dill Green Beans: Sautéed green beans tossed with garlic-infused butter and fresh dill for a burst of flavor.
• White Wine Asparagus: Tender asparagus spears roasted with white wine, garlic, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Irresistible Seafood Thanksgiving Sides

These easy recipes add a touch of coastal elegance to your holiday feast. Bring briny delights to your Thanksgiving table as side dishes that’ll have your family asking for seconds. Because who said the main course gets to have all the fun? Get ready for a side dish experience that’s simply seafoodlicious!

Seafood Soup: Seafood Stew and more

Get ready to warm your body and delight your taste buds with seafood soup recipes. Each spoonful is a journey into a world of rich flavors and cozy goodness, making these seafood soups the perfect addition to your chilly evenings or festive gatherings.

How to Make Seafood Stew

Thanksgiving is usually a family affair. So, you need a dish that’s easy to prepare, can feed a crowd, and won’t break the bank. 

This seems like a tall order, but it’s not impossible. With this seafood stew, you can simmer a pot of ingredients until soft and tender and cross off all three requirements. 

Seafood Stew Recipe

Think of a hearty broth teeming with a medley of fresh seafood swimming together in harmony.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make seafood stew:

• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 3 cups of marinara sauce
• 3 cups of Fra Diavolo sauce
• 2 cups of chopped roasted red peppers
• 2 pounds of firm white fish
• 1 pound of extra large fresh shrimp
• 1 pound of scallops
• Salt and pepper to taste

Follow these instructions:

1. Add the broth, marinara, and Fra Diavolo sauce into a large saucepan. 
2. Then, place it on the stove and stir until the mixture simmers. Next, add in the peppers, fish, shrimp, and scallops. 
3. After that, cover the saucepan and let the stew simmer until the seafood cooks all the way through. 
4. Finally, plate up the dish and enjoy your hearty holiday meal for the Thanksgiving feast.

Seafood Soups That are Shore to Please for Thanksgiving

From hearty seafood stews brimming with the catch of the day to clam chowder that’s a bowlful of comfort, we’re serving up liquid love from the ocean. Seafood stews provide a refreshing alternative to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner while maintaining that comforting feeling we crave during the holiday season.

Seafood Pasta for a Thanksgiving Twirl

Get ready to twirl your forks and savor a seafood-infused Thanksgiving with these pasta seafood recipes. We’re talking about dishes that marry the richness of pasta with the briny goodness of the sea, creating a symphony of flavors on your holiday table.

The Ultimate Seafood Thanksgiving

Now that you have all these amazing recipes, it’s time to cook! Gather your ingredients, put on some music, and dive into creating a memorable seafood Thanksgiving experience.

Finish the feast with easy Thanksgiving pie recipes and a cup of flavorful fall coffee for dessert. Or, since you’re already being so alternative, skip the pie and serve apple desserts instead.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own personal touch to each dish. Remember, this is all about enjoying good food with loved ones.

FAQs

Happy cooking, and enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration!