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Thanksgiving Seafood Dishes to Try This Holiday

Make your Thanksgiving more interesting — and delicious — with some of these seafood dishes.

Thanksgiving seafood dishes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when meal planning for your holiday table, but as a lifelong Mainer, I would be doing you a major disservice by ignoring my heritage and failing to inform you that you can — and should — have seafood this Thanksgiving.


I’m lucky to live in a place where seafood is abundant year-round and can be very affordable. While you may not have this luxury, I can promise you that there are definitely ample opportunities throughout the year to ship delicious, fresh seafood straight to your doorstep, no matter where you live, for a pretty reasonable price (depending, of course, on what you’re ordering).

People sitting at dining table and eating
(shironosov via iStock Photo)

It can be the perfect addition to your traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a lighter, healthier alternative to more classic choices, a dietary recommendation from a doctor, or a way to accommodate the family pescatarian. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking to diversify your Thanksgiving celebration with something a little different, the good news is there are almost endless dishes that would make an excellent choice.


With all of that in mind, I’m very familiar with recipes that include seafood and taste amazing.


The point of Thanksgiving is celebrating and expressing gratitude for abundance and blessings with loved ones over a feast, which makes this special occasion the perfect time to try some new recipe ideas. These seafood Thanksgiving dinner options will impress your guests with the unexpected!


Here are the best seafood recipes and ideas we recommend serving with your Thanksgiving meal:


Seafood Charcuterie Spread: Prep a delicious charcuterie board that is ocean-themed by adding shrimp cocktail, seasoned scallops, and fresh oysters in a beautiful presentation. Make it pop with color using various dips and sauces!


Oyster Stuffing: You can throw a new spin on a traditional side by adding seafood in this popular stuffing dish that is already a favorite among many. Oysters are a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as minerals and vitamins. Substitute seafood seasoning for poultry seasoning in recipes for a unique flavor. And oysters are best this time of year!

British Fish Pie Photo
(Janette Fushchi)


Fish Pie: When looking to explore fish as a dinner dish or side, a fish pie is a great way to begin. Similar to shepherd’s pie, this dish combines multiple ingredients with different flavor and texture profiles, making it easier for your Thanksgiving dinner guests to explore comfortably.

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops: Bacon-wrapped scallops are a traditional holiday season favorite in New England, where scallops are fresh and readily available in the winter months. Luckily, they freeze well, so purchasing them freshly frozen is a great option for those who live further away or for people who buy them in bulk with plans to prepare them for the future. A nice maple syrup glaze pairs perfectly with the bacon.


Crab Cakes: Whether as a main dish or an appetizer, crab cakes are a favorite for many. It’s easy to prepare them in smaller bite-sized patties, or larger cakes for an alternative main course.

New England Clam Chowder Picture
(Stock Art)


New England Clam Chowder: A traditional New England dish, chowder is filling, hearty, and comforting, and is a perfect appetizer or side for your family gathering.


Pan Roasted Cod: Cod is another mild fish perfect for people new to exploring the world of seafood and an ideal crowd-pleaser. Our recipe calls for an optional tomato relish, but cod tastes great prepared in a variety of ways, including battered and fried.


Baked Salmon: Salmon is a perfect intro to fish because it’s so mild and rich. It has a buttery flavor and soft texture and doesn’t have a strong smell that turns some people away from trying fish. We have a ton of salmon recipes to recommend, so choose freely from our favorite options!

Crab Legs Picture
(Stock Art)


Crab Legs: A delicacy, crab legs are a delicious and filling addition to your Thanksgiving menu that will leave your guests raving for months to come.


Salmon Dip: Salmon dip is the perfect creamy topping for your dinner rolls with a hearty and filling texture that will please your guest list.

Smoked Salmon Dip Picture
(Emily Caruso)


Lobster Tails: Indulge in the (much easier to eat) thicker meat of a lobster tail by preparing them separately from the full crustacean. There are different ways to prep a buttery lobster tail, from air fryer to broiler to steamer. Top with hot, salted butter for a decadent experience. (I, obviously, recommend Maine lobster — many places local to me ship fresh!)


Smoked Salmon Crostini: Smoked salmon and cucumber slices atop an avocado and cream cheese blend on a delicious, crunchy crostini will wow your guests as a perfect pre-Thanksgiving dinner appetizer, making it a popular choice.


Calamari: Panko breaded calamari can be fried in an air fryer or deep fried for the perfect, crispy crunch. You know we love our air fryers — I strongly suggest using one to prevent splatter and mess! Obviously this is a great year-round food, but it also makes a nice side to go with other Thanksgiving seafood dishes.


Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab: Crab meat is the perfect match for stuffed mushrooms! Use button mushrooms, fresh crab meat, and cheese to create the perfect savory app or side that will leave you wanting more.


Lobster Bisque:
Creamy, dreamy, and pretty simple to make, a little bit of lobster goes a long way in a lobster bisque that can be served before or during your traditional turkey feast.
Related: Add some of these mocktails to your Thanksgiving menu!

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs Photo
(Emily Caruso)


Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs: Looking for seafood appetizers? Take your basic deviled eggs to a new level by adding smoked salmon using one of our best recipes yet. Or add crabmeat instead for a variety of options.


Crab Stuffed Acorn Squash: Stuffed acorn squash is a popular dish for Thanksgiving. You can make it unexpected by adding fresh crab meat into the mixture and oven-roasting for perfection. An excellent Thanksgiving seafood dish!


Butternut Soup with Crab: Butternut squash soup is another traditional fall dish often offered on Thanksgiving day. Adding fresh crab meat provides texture, new flavors, and more nutrients, as well as making the table pop with vibrant colors. We strongly recommend trying it!


Mini Seafood Pot Pies: Create a stir at the table with miniature New England seafood pot pies filled with tender and juicy shrimp and scallops. The biscuit topping will be a perfect introduction to your meal with its buttery flavor and rich, fluffy texture.


Shrimp Mac and Cheese: Mac and cheese is a classic Thanksgiving dish, especially in the South. You can make the dish into something new and polished with the addition of shrimp. For extra flavor, BBQ the shrimp if possible before adding them to your recipe. Gouda pairs well with shrimp, so I always add some to my seafood mac and cheese.


Garlic Herb Mussels: A holiday feast is the perfect time to prepare some garlic herb mussels. Buttery broiled bread crumbs are the perfect complement to the savory, salty mussel flavor for your Thanksgiving table

Whiskey Mussels en  Papillote Image
(Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez)


Crab and Artichoke Dip: Served with crostini, this creamy dish is favored by those who already enjoy artichoke dip but are looking for something a little fancier. Prepare the day before to save time and allow the dip to thicken to a perfect consistency.


Salmon Wellington: This dish will surely steal the hearts of your guests, especially those who may be in the mood for an alternative main course. Prepared with care, this dish has a gorgeous presentation and a rich texture that melts in your mouth.


Baked Fish Filet: Procure a fresh filet of the fish of your choice and present in a large dish with garnishes such as lemon wedges, garlic, sprigs of greens, and small sides of sauces. This will surely be an impressive sight when offered alongside — or instead of — a turkey!

Still need more ideas? Check out all of our favorite seafood recipes and pick the ones that work for you. Also, our editor’s family often has bagels with lox and cream cheese when gathering for Thanksgiving (though not for the actual Thanksgiving dinner) as well as one or two store-bought crab or fish dips with crackers as a delicious seafood starter to the big holiday meal (typically served hours before the Thanksgiving feast when extended family first arrives).

Roasted Turkey Image
(Stock Image)

Explore all of our Thanksgiving tips and easy recipes, from side dishes to homemade cranberry sauce to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey! They’ll go great with these Thanksgiving seafood dishes.