18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (2024)

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Lobster, Oysters, and So Much More

By

Cathy Jacobs

18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (1)

Cathy Jacobs

A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.

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Updated on 11/10/22

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18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (2)

In many parts of the world, it's a tradition to serve seafood at Christmas. The most classic is the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, which—as the name suggests—involves a spread of seven seafood dishes.

Whether you're inspired by the cuisine of Italy, happen to live by the coast, or just enjoy ingredients from the sea, this elegant Christmas dinner menu is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday with friends and family.

Get inspired by ideas for every course—including appetizers, salads, mains, and desserts—that work whether you'rehosting an intimate family dinner or a larger celebration. You may just make this your new annual Christmas dinner tradition!

  • 01 of 18

    Buttery Garlic Crab Bruschetta

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (3)

    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

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (5)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (6)

    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!

    Continue to 5 of 18 below.

  • 05 of 18

    Fried Calamari

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (7)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (8)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (9)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (10)

    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.

    Continue to 9 of 18 below.

  • 09 of 18

    Crispy Garlic Parmesan Croutons

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (11)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (12)

    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)

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (13)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (14)

    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.

    Continue to 13 of 18 below.

  • 13 of 18

    Pan Seared Halibut WIth Wine Sauce

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (15)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (16)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (17)

    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

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

    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.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below.

  • 17 of 18

    Maple Glazed Roast Parsnips

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (19)

    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

    18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (20)

    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
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  • Seafood Recipes
  • Fish Recipes
18 Christmas Seafood Recipes Fit for a Special Holiday Feast (2024)

FAQs

What seafood is often eaten at Christmas? ›

Among the different types of fish eaten on Christmas Eve, salted codfish is one of the most popular and versatile. It has always been considered a humble food because of its ease of storage, low cost and the fact that it is filling.

What is the traditional Christmas Eve seafood dish in southern European countries? ›

Families gather to celebrate La Vigilia on Christmas Eve – a pescatarian celebration with seven unique seafood dishes. These could include anything from baccalà (salt cod) to frittura di paranza (tiny deep-fried fish).

What is the special food for Christmas Day? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What is the best fish to eat in December? ›

City Fish Market keeps up with the seasons, making sure home chefs have the freshest fish and shellfish to choose from. December is the peak season for ocean perch, and there is no better month to enjoy cod and monkfish. The yuletide season is also the perfect time for cooking up fresh oysters, clams, and scallops.

What are the 7 fishes Italians eat on Christmas Eve? ›

This pasta involves seven fish: clams, mussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovy, calamari and scallops. It's nice to have a whole fish, head and tail included, to signify abundance.

What is the tradition of seafood on Christmas Eve? ›

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is the annual Christmas Eve vigil and epic seafood feast that has grown into the most beloved meal of the year in Italian-American households. Steeped in tradition, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is the centerpiece meal of the entire holiday season.

What fish is a Christmas dish in Germany? ›

A German Christmas Eve

This culinary tradition continues today in many families, even if no church going is involved, with carp, salmon or hake often taking centre stage at the table, accompanied by fried potatoes or Kartoffelpuffer (potato fritters) and Sauerkraut.

What is the tradition of fish on Christmas Eve? ›

Most popular in Southern Italy and in Italian-American homes, this Christmas Eve feast stems from Catholics abstaining from meat in commemoration of waiting for the birth of baby Jesus. There is a lot of symbolism in fish to early Christians, who used a fish to identify themselves in times of persecution.

What is the least popular Christmas food? ›

Across all states, their findings showed that the least popular Christmas foods are persimmon pudding (13%) and fruitcake (25%). The most popular foods were roasted potatoes (91%), scalloped potatoes (83%), roast beef (77%), red velvet cake (76%), ham (76%) and Christmas nuts (76%).

What is the number one Christmas meal? ›

According to a 2020 survey, turkey's the main event for 73% of Americans, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also coming in as popular contenders.

What is the most sold food at Christmas? ›

Nationally, these are the most popular Christmas foods in America:
  • Roasted potatoes (91%)
  • Scalloped potatoes (83%)
  • Roast beef (77%)
  • Red velvet cake (76%)
  • Ham (76%)
  • Christmas nuts (76%)
Aug 1, 2023

What are the top five Christmas dinner dishes? ›

Our Top 22 Traditional Christmas Dishes
  • 01 of 23. Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 02 of 23. Mom's Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 23. Best Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 23. Chef John's Roast Turkey and Gravy. ...
  • 05 of 23. Holiday Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 23. Christmas Prime Rib. ...
  • 07 of 23. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 08 of 23. Beef Wellington.
Dec 18, 2023

What do you serve a crowd for Christmas dinner? ›

Feed a Crowd With These Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
  1. 02 of 20. Baked Brie with Quebec Maple Syrup. View Recipe. ...
  2. 05 of 20. Cranberry Dip. View Recipe. ...
  3. 08 of 20. Broccoli Cheese Bake. View Recipe. ...
  4. 11 of 20. A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey. ...
  5. 14 of 20. Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions. ...
  6. 17 of 20. Best Toffee Ever - Super Easy.
Oct 13, 2020

Do you eat seafood on Christmas? ›

While this may seem out of the normal, many generations of Italian-American families have practiced the Christmas tradition of serving fish as families gather together. But the good news is seafood recipes are not limited to just the Italian classics.

Why is seafood popular at Christmas? ›

The tradition of preparing fish on Christmas Eve originated from the Catholic rituals of fasting or abstaining from meat and other dairy products on the eve of certain holy days, including Christmas. As no meat could be consumed during this period, fish cooked in oil would be eaten instead of meat.

What are 3 traditional Christmas foods? ›

Every family in every part of the world serves their own traditional Christmas foods, but in the U.S., some are enjoyed nationwide:
  • Turkey.
  • Prime Rib.
  • Baked Ham.
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
  • Roasted Vegetables.
Dec 19, 2022

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