Imagine starting your day with the enticing aroma of freshly prepared seafood, artfully combined with classic breakfast favorites to create a symphony of taste and texture. At NC Seafood Restaurant in Raleigh, NC, we understand how to help dishes showcase the natural sweet flavor of fresh seafood and make it a go-to family favorite.
Our seafood breakfast recipes celebrate North Carolina’s seasonal seafood options while offering a fresh, nutritious, and adventurous alternative to your traditional morning meal.
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Why Eat Seafood for Breakfast?
Breakfast is more than just the first meal of the day—it’s a chance to energize, innovate, and delight your taste buds. Incorporating seafood into your morning scrambled eggs or on top of a tasted bagel with cream cheese allows you to transform a simple meal into a nutrient-packed experience.
Here are some of the many benefits of eating seafood dishes as your first meal of the day.
High Protein and Omega-3 Rich
Seafood is an excellent source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and maintaining steady energy levels throughout the day. In addition, many types of seafood—like salmon, shrimp, and scallops—are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help support cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and even contribute to improved brain function. Starting your day with seafood recipes fuels your body with essential nutrients to support long-term wellness.
Unique Flavor Combinations
Seafood introduces a delicate, briny note that can elevate the flavors of traditional breakfast ingredients. When paired with ingredients like eggs, fresh herbs, and tangy sauces, seafood offers a balanced and intriguing taste profile that surprises and delights the palate. This fusion of flavors allows for a creative twist on classic dishes, inviting diners to experience breakfast in a completely new light.
Local and Sustainable Options
Many coastal regions and local fishermen bring fresh, sustainably caught seafood to the table. By choosing seafood for breakfast, you’re not only treating yourself to the best quality ingredients but also supporting local economies and sustainable practices. In North Carolina, local seafood is often caught with care and a deep respect for the environment, making it a smart and ethical choice for your morning meal.
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
A modern twist on a classic breakfast, smoked salmon avocado toast brings together the creamy richness of avocado and the delicate, savory flavor of smoked salmon. This dish is perfect for those who crave a nutritious yet indulgent start to their day.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of whole-grain or sourdough bread
- 1 ripe avocado
- 3-4 slices of smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes: red onion slices, capers, fresh dill, or microgreens
Steps
- Toast the Bread: Lightly toast your bread slices until they are golden and crispy.
- Prepare the Avocado: In a small bowl, mash the avocado with lemon juice, salt, and pepper until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Toast: Spread a generous layer of mashed avocado on each toasted slice.
- Top with Salmon: Lay smoked salmon slices evenly over the avocado.
- Garnish and Serve: Add optional garnishes like thin red onion slices, capers, or a sprinkle of fresh dill. Serve immediately.
Lobster and Bacon Omelette
Elevate your breakfast with a delicious blend of lobster and bacon. This lobster and bacon omelette offers a delightful contrast of sweet lobster meat and the smoky crunch of bacon, making it a gourmet option for a luxurious breakfast or a twist to your regular routine of weekly dinner recipes.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped
- 2 strips of bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
Optional: chives or parsley for garnish
Steps
- Beat the Eggs: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Heat the Pan: Melt butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Pour the Eggs: Pour the egg mixture into the skillet, tilting the pan to evenly distribute the eggs.
- Add Fillings: As the eggs begin to set, sprinkle the lobster meat and bacon evenly over one half of the omelette.
- Fold and Finish: Gently fold the omelette in half and let cook for another minute until the fillings are heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Slide the omelette onto a plate and garnish with freshly chopped chives or parsley.
Crab Cake Benedict
A seafood twist on a beloved brunch classic, crab cake Benedict combines crispy, savory crab cakes with perfectly poached eggs and a silky, tangy hollandaise sauce. This dish is an elegant option for a special breakfast or brunch occasion.
Ingredients
For the Crab Cakes:
- 8 oz lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Oil for frying
- For the Hollandaise Sauce:
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
- Additional Components:
- 2-4 eggs for poaching
- 2 English muffins, split and toasted
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Steps
- Prepare the Crab Cakes:
- In a bowl, gently mix crab meat, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Form into small patties.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Hollandaise Sauce:
- In a heatproof bowl, whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method) and slowly drizzle in the melted butter while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens.
- Season with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Keep warm.
- Poach the Eggs:
- Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer, add a splash of vinegar, and gently slide in the eggs one at a time.
- Poach for about 3 minutes for a runny yolk, then remove with a slotted spoon.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Place toasted English muffin halves on a plate.
- Top each with a crab cake, followed by a poached egg.
- Drizzle generously with hollandaise sauce and garnish with fresh herbs.
Seafood Bake with Crispy Hash Brown Topping
A hearty and comforting dish, the seafood bake with crispy potato hash brown topping combines an assortment of seafood with a medley of vegetables under a golden, crunchy hash brown crust. It’s a perfect dish for those cooler mornings when you crave warmth and richness.
Ingredients
For the Seafood Mixture:
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup scallops, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup white fish (such as cod or haddock), cubed
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- Salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs (such as thyme or dill)
For the Hash Brown Topping:
- 2 cups shredded hash browns (frozen or freshly grated)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Steps
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Seafood Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine shrimp, scallops, fish cubes, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Stir in the heavy cream, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Make the Hash Brown Topping:
- Toss the shredded hash browns with melted butter, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread the hash browns evenly over the seafood mixture, pressing lightly to form a compact layer.
- Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the hash browns are crispy and golden on top.
- Serve:
- Let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a side salad or your favorite breakfast beverage.
Tuna Huevos Rancheros
Tuna huevos rancheros is a vibrant, protein-packed twist on traditional Latin American breakfasts. Combining hearty tuna, poached eggs, and a spicy tomato salsa, this dish delivers a burst of flavor that energizes your morning and keeps you satisfied throughout the day.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 can of tuna (in water or olive oil), drained and flaked
- 2 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- 1/2 cup refried beans
- For the Eggs:
- 2-4 eggs (depending on servings), poached or fried to your liking
For the Tomato Salsa:
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Avocado slices, sour cream, extra cilantro
Steps
- Prepare the Tomato Salsa:
- In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Season with salt and pepper and let the salsa sit for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Base:
- On each warmed tortilla, spread a layer of refried beans.
- Evenly distribute the flaked tuna over the beans.
- Top with Eggs:
- Place the poached or fried eggs on top of the tuna. The runny yolk will add a delightful sauce to the dish.
- Add the Salsa and Garnish:
- Spoon the tomato salsa over the eggs and garnish with optional avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, and extra cilantro.
- Serve:
- Enjoy this zesty and fulfilling dish as a unique breakfast or brunch option that’s bursting with color and flavor.
Get Fresh Calabash Style Seafood Dishes in Raleigh
Discover the true taste of the coast with fresh Calabash style seafood dishes right here in Raleigh. Whether you’re craving the perfect blend of southern charm and seafood excellence or simply looking for a memorable culinary adventure, now is the time to indulge.
Visit our NC Seafood Restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner, and experience why our fresh, fried seafood has become synonymous with quality and flavor.