18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (2025)

Updated on 11/10/22

• 01 of 18

  Buttery Garlic Crab Bruschetta

  

  Bruschetta—a popular Italian appetizer made from grilled bread drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with garlic—makes a great party starter. This wildly delicious buttery garlic crab bruschettafeatures plenty of garlic, butter, and sweet, succulentcrabmeat.

• 02 of 18

  Flaky Biscuits

  

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  Flaky biscuits are fabulous for dipping into seafood chowders and soaking up sauces. This easy recipe for classic buttery biscuits is just about foolproof—you can even make a batch in just over 30 minutes.

• 03 of 18

  Easy Butter and Herb Baked Oysters

  

  Easy butter and herb baked oysters are a fancy appetizer that's sure to impress. A little lemon juice adds zing to fresh, brinybivalves in the shell, and the buttery herb crumb topping makes these starters restaurant-worthy.

• 04 of 18

  Stuffed Mushrooms With Clams

  

  These bite-sizedstuffed mushrooms with clamscall for adding minced clams to the classic combo of breadcrumbs, parsley, and garlic stuffing. They're cute, delicious, and perfect for wowing your holiday guests!

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• 05 of 18

  Fried Calamari

  

  Fried calamariis one of the tastiest and most popular of Italian seafood appetizers. In an impressive first course, rings of tender squid are battered, fried until golden and crispy, and served with sea salt and lemon wedges for squeezing.

• 06 of 18

  Fennel, Grapefruit and Arugula Salad

  

  This bright, refreshing fennel, grapefruit and arugula salad has a unique mix of flavors and textures that pair exceptionally well with seafood. Juicy, sweet-tart grapefruit is balanced by peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and crisp, aromatic fennel,all tossed in a super simple olive oil and grapefruit juice dressing.

• 07 of 18

  Kale Salad With Grated Cheese and Lemon Dressing

  

  Dark, leafy greens are wonderful for enjoying in winter salads. In this simple, yet elegant kale salad with grated cheese and lemon dressing, thinly-sliced raw kalecombines with walnut and oliveoils, plus Parmesan cheese for a light first course that's a great way to kick off an indulgent Christmas meal.

• 08 of 18

  Pear and Greens Salad

  

  Late fall and winter are ideal seasons for sweet and juicy pears, and this restaurant-worthy pear and greens saladis a great way to use the fruit at its peak. You'll love the combination of tender pears, slightly bitter greens, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts in a sweet celery-seed vinaigrette.

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• 09 of 18

  Crispy Garlic Parmesan Croutons

  

  Making your own croutons can upgrade everything from salads to creamy chowders. This easy crispy parmesan croutons recipe was created to garnish a Caesar salad, but it's fantastic for finishingseafood stews, too.

• 10 of 18

  Lobster Bisque

  

  A rich and creamy lobster bisqueis sure to earn rave reviews. The aromatic stew is a special-occasion bowl that can be served in small portions as a fancy first course at Christmas dinner.

• 11 of 18

  Crock Pot Fisherman's Stew (Cioppino)

  

  Crockpot fisherman's stew (Cioppino), a hearty Italian stew brimming with both shellfish and fish, is ideal for serving as an entree. Using yourslow cookerresults in tender seafood and a deep, complex broth without taking up any precious stovetop space.

• 12 of 18

  Italian-Style Whole Roasted Fish in Herbs

  

  Wow your guests when you come out of the kitchen carrying an Italian-style whole roasted fish in herbs on a platter (just like they do at special meals in Italy!). This fish entree is surprisingly easy to make and it never fails to impress.

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• 13 of 18

  Pan Seared Halibut WIth Wine Sauce

  

  Halibut is a meaty fish that takes on an incredible flavor when it's seared. This pan-seared halibut recipe with red wine sauce is satisfying, yet light at the same time. The sauce can be made aheadand refrigerated in an airtight container.

• 14 of 18

  Shrimp Scampi

  

  Shrimp scampiis a belovedItalian-American dish. Fresh, garlicky shrimp in white wine sauce is as quick and easy to make as they are enticing to a crowd. Serve with hot cooked pasta for a great entree idea at your Christmas seafood dinner.

• 15 of 18

  Pasta With Garlic and Cheese

  

  Teeming with garlic and cheese, this seven-ingredient (five if you don't count salt and pepper) pasta recipe can be used as a base for shrimp scampi, or an elegant side that pairs well with roasted or pan-seared fish. Serve this pasta with garlic and cheese with a nice green salad.

• 16 of 18

  Roasted Broccoli Rabe

  

  Broccoli rabe, also called rapini,takes on a deeper flavor and a pleasantly crispy texture when roasted. Serve the tender, browned stalks as a side dish for cooked fish dishes. You can also sprinkle this roasted broccoli rabe atop seafood chowders and soups for added texture.

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• 17 of 18

  Maple Glazed Roast Parsnips

  

  Roasted parsnips have a naturally sweet flavor that is welcome at a holiday dinner. A simple glaze made with maple syrup gives this nutritious vegetable side dish a tempting golden brown color. Sesame seeds are sprinkled over the top of these maple-glazed roast parsnips for the last five minutes of baking, for added crunch and visual interest.

• 18 of 18

  Easy Orange Liqueur Cake

  

  Citrus is an ideal complement to seafood and this easy orange liqueur cake is packed with fruity, boozy flavor and finished with a delectable buttery orange glaze.

• Christmas Mains
• Christmas Recipes
• Seafood Recipes
• Fish Recipes