15 Christmas Seafood Recipes

Christmas is a season filled with warmth, laughter, and, of course, delicious food. While turkey and ham often take center stage, many families around the world are discovering the charm of Christmas seafood recipes.

Fresh, flavorful, and elegant, seafood dishes bring a coastal twist to the festive feast — perfect for those who crave something lighter yet luxurious.

From buttery lobster tails to zesty shrimp cocktails, these recipes add a refreshing variety to your Christmas spread.

Whether you’re hosting a lavish dinner or planning an intimate gathering, seafood offers versatility and sophistication that pairs beautifully with traditional sides.

These 15 Christmas seafood recipes are designed to impress — combining holiday flavors with the freshness of the sea.

Each recipe includes simple ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and a dash of Christmas magic.

1. Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

Description: Succulent lobster tails drenched in garlic butter sauce — a show-stopping centerpiece for your Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 lobster tails
• ½ cup melted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut lobster tails lengthwise and loosen the meat slightly.
3. Mix butter, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush mixture generously over lobster meat.
5. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until opaque.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

2. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Description: A rich, creamy pasta dish featuring plump shrimp and a velvety garlic parmesan sauce.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• Salt, pepper, parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Sauté shrimp in butter until pink, then remove.
3. Add garlic, cream, and parmesan to pan; simmer 3 minutes.
4. Combine shrimp and pasta, toss with sauce.
5. Garnish with parsley before serving.

3. Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard Glaze

Description: Tender salmon fillets brushed with a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, dill

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix honey, mustard, and oil in a bowl.
3. Season salmon, brush with glaze.
4. Bake 15–18 minutes until flaky.
5. Sprinkle dill before serving.

4. Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Description: The perfect starter — chilled shrimp served with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp
• 1 lemon
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp horseradish
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Boil shrimp with lemon slices for 2–3 minutes; chill.
2. Mix ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire for sauce.
3. Serve shrimp over ice with dipping sauce.

5. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Description: Bite-sized appetizers filled with creamy crab mixture and baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 20 white mushrooms
• 1 cup crab meat
• ½ cup cream cheese
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Parmesan for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix crab, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
3. Fill mushroom caps and top with parmesan.
4. Bake 15 minutes until golden.

6. Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter

Description: Golden seared scallops drizzled with lemon butter — elegant and easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb scallops
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• Salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Pat scallops dry, season with salt and pepper.
2. Sear in hot oil 2 minutes per side.
3. Add butter and lemon juice; drizzle over scallops.

7. Lobster Mac and Cheese

Description: Creamy, cheesy comfort food elevated with chunks of buttery lobster.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz macaroni
• 1 cup lobster meat
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup milk
• Salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. Melt butter, add milk and cheese to make sauce.
3. Stir in lobster and pasta.
4. Bake 20 minutes at 350°F (175°C) for a golden top.

8. Baked Crab Cakes

Description: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside — the ultimate festive crab cakes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients into patties.
2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
3. Serve with tartar sauce or aioli.

9. Lemon Herb Baked Cod

Description: A light, flaky cod dish with a citrusy herb butter topping.

Ingredients:

• 4 cod fillets
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp parsley, dill
• Salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix butter, herbs, and lemon juice.
3. Brush over cod and bake 15 minutes.

10. Shrimp Scampi Skewers

Description: Grilled shrimp brushed with a buttery scampi sauce — perfect for parties.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
2. Melt butter, add garlic and lemon.
3. Brush shrimp and grill 2 minutes per side.

11. Smoked Salmon Canapés

Description: Elegant finger food featuring smoked salmon and cream cheese on crispy crackers.

Ingredients:

• 12 crackers
• 4 oz smoked salmon
• 4 oz cream cheese
• Dill, lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese on crackers.
2. Top with salmon, dill, and lemon zest.

12. Seafood Chowder

Description: A creamy, hearty soup filled with shrimp, fish, and clams — the essence of coastal comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 cup shrimp
• 1 cup white fish
• 1 cup milk or cream

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in butter.
2. Add potatoes and simmer until soft.
3. Add seafood and milk; cook until thick and creamy.

13. Grilled Oysters with Parmesan

Description: Smoky oysters topped with garlic butter and parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

• 12 fresh oysters
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup parmesan

Instructions:

1. Mix butter, garlic, and parmesan.
2. Place a spoonful on each oyster.
3. Grill 5 minutes until golden.

14. Prawn and Mango Salad

Description: A refreshing salad of sweet mango and juicy prawns with a tangy dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb prawns
• 1 mango, diced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix mango, cucumber, and prawns.
2. Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil.

15. Seafood Paella

Description: A Spanish-inspired festive dish loaded with shrimp, mussels, and saffron rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups broth
• 1 cup shrimp
• 1 cup mussels
• ½ cup peas
• 1 tsp paprika, saffron

Instructions:

1. Sauté rice in olive oil; add broth and spices.
2. Add seafood and peas; simmer until rice is cooked.

Conclusion

Seafood brings a vibrant, elegant touch to your Christmas menu, blending festive indulgence with ocean freshness.

These 15 Christmas seafood recipes offer something for every palate — from creamy comfort dishes to light, citrusy favorites.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or planning a cozy dinner, these dishes will make your celebration unforgettable.