Seafood Dressing Recipe – Southern-Style Comfort with a Coastal Twist

Introduction:

Seafood dressing is a luxurious, Southern-inspired dish that combines the hearty, satisfying nature of traditional cornbread dressing with the rich, briny flavors of the sea. Whether you’re preparing it as a holiday side dish, a main for special occasions, or just to enjoy something uniquely delicious, seafood dressing brings warmth and elegance to the table.

This post will guide you step-by-step through creating the ultimate seafood dressing using shrimp, crab meat, and classic aromatics. You’ll also learn tips for perfect texture, how to customize it to your tastes, and what to serve alongside it.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Combines the flavor of Southern cornbread dressing with seafood
• Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner
• Easy to customize with your favorite seafood
• Make-ahead and freezer friendly

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Ingredients:

For the Cornbread (or use store-bought):

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter

For the Dressing:

• 4 cups crumbled cornbread (cooled and a day old is best)
• 1/2 loaf French bread, cubed and dried
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
• 1/2 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp dried sage
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 2 eggs, beaten

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Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Cornbread (Skip if using pre-made)

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease an 8-inch baking dish.
2. In a bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
3. Add buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Stir until just combined.
4. Pour into dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Cool completely.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 5–7 minutes until soft.

Step 3: Add Seafood

1. Stir in shrimp and cook until just opaque (2–3 minutes).
2. Gently fold in crab meat and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Mix the Dressing

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine crumbled cornbread and French bread.
2. Add sautéed vegetables and seafood mixture.
3. Stir in seasonings: Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, thyme, sage, and pepper.
4. Add broth gradually, mixing until moist but not soggy.
5. Stir in beaten eggs.

Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Pour dressing into the dish and cover with foil.
3. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15–20 more minutes until golden and set.

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Variations:

• Oyster Dressing: Replace crab or shrimp with oysters.
• Spicy Cajun: Add andouille sausage or extra cayenne.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cornbread and bread.
• Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium broth and cut added salt.

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Tips for Perfect Texture:

• Use day-old bread to avoid sogginess.
• Don’t overmix the seafood to maintain tender texture.
• Let the dressing rest 10 minutes before serving to firm up.

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Make-Ahead & Storage:

• Make Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate 1 day in advance.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before baking.
• Reheat: Warm covered at 325°F until heated through.

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What to Serve With Seafood Dressing:

• Roasted turkey or chicken
• Collard greens or green beans
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Corn on the cob or succotash

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Nutritional Information (per serving, 8 servings):

• Calories: 375
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 19g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 2g

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Final Thoughts:

Seafood dressing is a flavorful twist on a traditional favorite that will have your guests asking for seconds—and the recipe. With shrimp and crab folded into a well-seasoned, buttery cornbread base, this dish is rich yet balanced, hearty yet refined.

Whether you’re bringing a taste of the coast to your Thanksgiving table or simply trying something new, this recipe guarantees to elevate any meal into something special.

Happy cooking and enjoy every bite!