20 Elegant Christmas Seafood Recipes for a Festive Feast
Christmas is a time for gathering with loved ones, creating cherished memories, and indulging in incredible food. When I think of the ultimate holiday spread, seafood always feels like the perfect choice to bring a touch of elegance to the table.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or a grand festive party, seafood dishes are versatile enough to suit any occasion. From buttery lobster tails to zesty ceviche, these recipes will impress your guests with their flavors and sophistication.
I’ve rounded up 20 elegant Christmas seafood recipes for a festive feast that are not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make. Let’s dive in and create a holiday menu your family and friends will rave about!
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1. Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
Lobster tails are a luxurious addition to any Christmas dinner.
Ingredients:
- 4 lobster tails
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Butterfly the lobster tails by cutting through the top shell and pulling the meat slightly out.
- Melt butter and mix it with minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the garlic butter over the lobster meat.
- Bake the tails for 12–15 minutes until they are opaque.
- Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth flavors.
2. Classic Shrimp Cocktail
A timeless appetizer that never fails to impress.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup cocktail sauce
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, adding the lemon slices and bay leaf.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes until pink and firm.
- Drain and chill the shrimp in an ice bath.
- Arrange shrimp on a platter with cocktail sauce and serve cold.
3. Baked Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
These bite-sized delights are packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 16 large white mushrooms
- 1 cup lump crab meat
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Remove mushroom stems and scoop out the centers.
- Mix crab meat, cream cheese, Parmesan, and parsley in a bowl.
- Stuff each mushroom cap with the crab mixture and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
4. Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce
Simple yet elegant, this dish is a showstopper.
Ingredients:
- 12 large scallops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pat the scallops dry, season with salt and pepper, and sear them for 2–3 minutes per side.
- Remove scallops and melt butter in the skillet with garlic and lemon juice.
- Drizzle the sauce over the scallops and serve.
5. Creamy Lobster Bisque
A warm and indulgent starter for your holiday meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lobster meat
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups seafood stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a pot and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add tomato paste and seafood stock, bringing it to a simmer.
- Stir in lobster meat and heavy cream.
- Blend until smooth and serve hot.
6. Lemon Herb Baked Salmon
A flavorful centerpiece for your holiday feast.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs salmon fillet
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 1 tbsp dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with dill, and top with lemon slices.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until flaky and cooked through.
7. Grilled Oysters with Parmesan Garlic Butter
A smoky twist on a classic seafood dish.
Ingredients:
- 12 fresh oysters
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Mix butter, garlic, and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Shuck oysters and place a small spoonful of the butter mixture on each.
- Grill for 5–7 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8. Shrimp Scampi Pasta
This dish combines pasta and seafood for ultimate comfort.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz linguine
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup white wine
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook linguine according to package instructions.
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add shrimp, white wine, and lemon juice, cooking until shrimp turn pink.
- Toss cooked linguine in the sauce and garnish with parsley.
9. Smoked Salmon Crostini
A quick appetizer with a touch of luxury.
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 8 oz smoked salmon
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 tbsp dill, chopped
- 1 lemon, zested
Instructions:
- Toast baguette slices in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes.
- Spread cream cheese on each slice and top with smoked salmon.
- Sprinkle dill and lemon zest over the top and serve.
10. Clam Chowder
This creamy soup is a comforting classic for cold Christmas nights.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups clams, chopped
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups clam juice
Instructions:
- Cook bacon in a pot until crispy, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion in the bacon fat until translucent.
- Add potatoes, clam juice, and clams, simmering until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in heavy cream and bacon before serving.
11. Grilled Garlic Shrimp Skewers
A perfect blend of smoky and savory flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Skewers
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, and paprika.
- Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2–3 minutes per side.
- Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon.
12. Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lump crab meat
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup mayonnaise (for aioli)
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions:
- Combine crab meat, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, and mustard. Form into patties.
- Pan-fry in oil over medium heat until golden brown.
- Mix mayonnaise and lemon juice for the aioli and serve alongside the crab cakes.
13. Baked Cod with Tomato and Basil
A light yet flavorful entrée.
Ingredients:
- 4 cod fillets
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Arrange cod fillets on a baking dish and top with cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with basil.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until flaky.
14. Mussels in White Wine Sauce
A delightful dish for sharing.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs mussels, cleaned
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large pot and sauté garlic.
- Add white wine and bring to a simmer.
- Toss in mussels, cover, and cook for 5–7 minutes until they open.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with crusty bread.
15. Parmesan Crusted Halibut
Crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious.
Ingredients:
- 4 halibut fillets
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix Parmesan, breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Press the mixture onto the halibut fillets.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and flaky.
16. Coconut Shrimp
A sweet and crunchy appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Dip shrimp in egg, then coat with a mixture of coconut and breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry shrimp until golden brown.
- Serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
17. Crab Rangoon Dip
A creamy, indulgent party favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup crab meat
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp green onions, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix crab meat, cream cheese, sour cream, soy sauce, and green onions.
- Spread into a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.
- Serve with crackers or wonton chips.
18. Lemon Dill Shrimp Salad
A refreshing dish perfect for lighter appetites.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, cooked and chilled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dill, chopped
- Mixed greens
Instructions:
- Toss shrimp with olive oil, lemon juice, and dill.
- Arrange over a bed of mixed greens and serve cold.
19. Seafood Paella
A hearty, flavorful one-pan dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 lb mussels
- 2 cups rice
- 4 cups seafood stock
- 1 cup peas
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 pinch saffron
Instructions:
- Sauté rice with olive oil and paprika in a large skillet.
- Add saffron and seafood stock, simmering until rice is tender.
- Arrange shrimp and mussels on top, cooking until seafood is done.
- Mix in peas before serving.
20. Lobster Mac and Cheese
A decadent twist on a comfort classic.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked lobster meat
- 2 cups macaroni
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in heavy cream and cheese until melted.
- Mix in cooked macaroni and lobster meat.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes for a bubbly, golden finish.
Conclusion
A festive feast deserves dishes that delight both the palate and the heart. These elegant seafood recipes bring a touch of sophistication to your Christmas celebrations, ensuring every bite feels special. Whether it’s a comforting chowder or luxurious lobster, your holiday table will shine with unforgettable flavors and cherished moments.