17 Best Thanksgiving Seafood Recipes

Turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving, but seafood can bring fresh and flavorful variety to your holiday spread. From elegant starters like oysters and shrimp cocktail to hearty mains such as salmon and crab cakes, seafood dishes add a special touch that guests will love.

These recipes balance tradition with creativity, making them perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Whether you’re looking for light appetizers, flavorful sides, or a show-stopping main dish, these seafood recipes will impress everyone gathered around.

1. Oyster Stuffing

A Southern-inspired twist on stuffing made with oysters, bread cubes, onions, and celery. Briny, savory, and a delicious complement to turkey.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 280
2. Protein: 9g
3. Carbs: 32g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Oyster Stuffing recipe.

2. Crab Cakes with Aioli

Crispy golden crab cakes served with lemon aioli. They make a classy appetizer or side dish that pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving flavors.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 310
2. Protein: 18g
3. Carbs: 20g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Crab Cakes with Aioli recipe.

3. Smoked Salmon Dip

Creamy dip made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and dill. Served with crackers or veggie sticks, it’s an easy appetizer guests can enjoy before the feast.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 200
2. Protein: 9g
3. Carbs: 4g
4. Fat: 17g
5. Fiber: 0g

Get the Smoked Salmon Dip recipe.

4. Lobster Mac and Cheese

Rich and indulgent, this dish combines tender lobster with creamy macaroni and cheese. A decadent side dish that feels festive and special.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 480
2. Protein: 24g
3. Carbs: 40g
4. Fat: 24g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe.

5. Shrimp Cocktail

A Thanksgiving classic appetizer with chilled shrimp and tangy cocktail sauce. Light, refreshing, and always a crowd favorite.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 160
2. Protein: 18g
3. Carbs: 7g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Shrimp Cocktail recipe.

6. Baked Scallops

Scallops baked in butter, garlic, and breadcrumbs. Tender and flavorful, they make a great starter or side dish.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 270
2. Protein: 20g
3. Carbs: 8g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Baked Scallops recipe.

7. Crab and Corn Chowder

A creamy soup made with lump crab, sweet corn, and potatoes. Warm, comforting, and a perfect addition to the Thanksgiving table.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 370
2. Protein: 19g
3. Carbs: 34g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 4g

Get the Crab and Corn Chowder recipe.

8. Stuffed Shrimp

Large shrimp stuffed with crab meat and breadcrumbs, baked until golden. A festive main or side that feels indulgent yet approachable.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 310
2. Protein: 25g
3. Carbs: 14g
4. Fat: 15g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Stuffed Shrimp recipe.

9. Salmon Wellington

Salmon fillet wrapped in puff pastry with spinach and cream cheese. Elegant and perfect as a seafood main course for Thanksgiving.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 420
2. Protein: 26g
3. Carbs: 28g
4. Fat: 24g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Salmon Wellington recipe.

10. Clam Chowder

Creamy New England clam chowder with clams, potatoes, and celery. A comforting first course that pairs beautifully with fall flavors.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 320
2. Protein: 15g
3. Carbs: 25g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 3g

Get the Clam Chowder recipe.

11. Seared Scallops with Brown Butter

Scallops seared until golden, finished with brown butter and sage. Elegant and quick, they make a wonderful side or starter.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 290
2. Protein: 21g
3. Carbs: 6g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Seared Scallops with Brown Butter recipe.

12. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushrooms filled with a crab and cheese mixture, baked until bubbly. A bite-sized appetizer that’s flavorful and festive.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 210
2. Protein: 12g
3. Carbs: 9g
4. Fat: 14g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

13. Shrimp and Grits

Creamy grits topped with shrimp in a smoky sauce. Southern comfort food that’s hearty enough to serve as a side or main.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 390
2. Protein: 22g
3. Carbs: 34g
4. Fat: 18g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Shrimp and Grits recipe.

14. Salmon with Maple Glaze

Salmon fillets baked with a maple glaze. Sweet, savory, and perfectly suited for fall flavors.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 350
2. Protein: 28g
3. Carbs: 12g
4. Fat: 20g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Maple-Glazed Salmon recipe.

15. Lobster Bisque

A creamy, luxurious soup made with lobster, cream, and brandy. Silky and indulgent, it makes any Thanksgiving table feel extra special.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 380
2. Protein: 18g
3. Carbs: 14g
4. Fat: 28g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.

16. Seafood Paella

A festive rice dish with shrimp, mussels, clams, and saffron. Colorful, flavorful, and a stunning centerpiece for the holiday.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 420
2. Protein: 25g
3. Carbs: 46g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 3g

Get the Seafood Paella recipe.

17. Baked Crab Dip

Warm, cheesy dip with crab meat, cream cheese, and seasonings. Served with crackers or bread, it’s a cozy appetizer guests will love.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 280
2. Protein: 12g
3. Carbs: 8g
4. Fat: 22g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Baked Crab Dip recipe.