‘Tis the season to cook up some tasty recipes for Christmas. But, many of us make the same old things all of the time which can get pretty boring for your tastebuds, not to mention predictable for your guests.
If you’re fishing for seafood recipe ideas for Christmas, we’ve got some ideas that will have you and your guests reaching for seconds (and even thirds!).
Seafood Recipe Ideas for Christmas
Spicy Mango Scallops
When people make scallops, usually broiling or baking is their go-to recipe. Why not change things up this Christmas with these spicy mango scallops?
Ingredients:
- 12 sea scallops (1-1/2 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup mango chutney
- 2 cups hot cooked basmati rice
- Minced fresh cilantro
Directions:
Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Using a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add scallops; cook 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and firm. Remove from pan.
Using the same pan, add onion and cook and stir until tender. Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in pineapple juice. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in chutney.
Return scallops to pan; heat through, stirring gently to coat. Serve with rice; sprinkle with cilantro for a festive holiday dish that will impress your guests!
Shrimp Appetizer Spread
You don’t have to make full meals for every holiday dish. Using seafood as an appetizer staple can certainly wow your guests, especially this shrimp appetizer spread. Plus, it’s so easy that it will leave you plenty of time to do everything else you need to!
Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup seafood cocktail sauce
- 12 ounces frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 1 small tomato, chopped
- 3 green onions with tops, sliced
- Assorted crackers
Directions:
Use a large bowl to beat the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
Spread mixture on a round 12-in. serving platter. Top with seafood sauce. Sprinkle with shrimp, mozzarella, green pepper, tomato, and onions. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with crackers.
Christmas Eve Confetti Pasta
When it comes to seafood recipe ideas for Christmas, pasta is a big staple in many people’s Christmas Eve dishes, so why not add some seafood for a dish to remember? Many people also have a “seven fishes dinner”, so this dish would fit in perfectly. We like this one because it’s also colorful!
Ingredients:
- 1 package (16 ounces) linguine
- 1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
- 1 cup chopped green pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked shrimp (61-70 per pound)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Follow package instructions to cook linguine. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute the peppers, onion, garlic, and seasonings in oil until vegetables are tender.
Add the shrimp.
Cook and stir 2-3 minutes longer or until heated through. Drain linguine; toss with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Now you’re ready to eat!
Grilled Lobster Tail
You can never go wrong with a grilled lobster tail. It’s a real crowd pleaser! Plus, it’s light so you won’t feel overstuffed after eating.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 c. melted butter
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
- 2 tbsp. freshly chopped chives, plus more for garnish
- 2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 4 (8-oz.) lobster tails
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions:
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, zest, chives, parsley, garlic, and salt.
Using kitchen shears, cut the top of the lobster shell from the meaty portion of the tail. Using a knife, cut halfway through meat down the center, without cutting all the way through. Insert a skewer lengthwise through the lobster to keep lobster from curling up when cooked.
Brush all over with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill flesh side down until lightly charred, about 6 minutes. Flip lobster and use a spoonful of the butter mixture on the flesh side. Grill until just cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
Remove lobster from the grill and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Crab Cakes with Chesapeake Bay Mayo
Crab is another seafood item you want to add to your Christmas menu if you’re looking for seafood recipe ideas for Christmas. These crab cakes are easy to make and come with a recipe for dipping sauce. Your guests will be reaching for seconds for sure!
Ingredients:
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning
Crab Cakes
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cans (6 ounces each) lump crabmeat, drained
- 1/4 cup canola oil
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cover and chill until serving.
For crab cakes, in a large bowl, combine the egg, cheese, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, onion, parsley, mustard, seafood seasoning, and pepper. Fold in crab. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
After the time is up, with floured hands, shape the mixture by 2 tablespoonfuls into 1/2-in.-thick patties. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook crab cakes in oil in batches for 3-4 minutes. Cook on each side or until golden brown. Serve with sauce.
Come Eat at Our Seafood Restaurant in Raleigh!
At NC Seafood, we have been serving the highest quality fried Calabash-style seafood to the Raleigh area for the past 30 years. Visit us today or order online and discover why so many people have come to enjoy our tasty seafood year-round. Happy Holidays!