Seafood Stuffing Recipes – A Coastal Twist on a Classic Comfort Dish
Introduction:
If you’re looking to elevate your side dishes or holiday stuffing game, seafood stuffing offers a decadent and flavorful twist on the traditional bread-based recipe. Whether served as a standalone dish, a filling for fish or poultry, or part of your Thanksgiving spread, seafood stuffing adds richness and depth, thanks to ingredients like crab, shrimp, scallops, and even lobster.
In this post, we’ll guide you through several seafood stuffing variations, complete with tips, ingredient swaps, and serving ideas that suit every occasion.
Why Choose Seafood Stuffing?
- Adds unique, savory flavors with a coastal flair
- Pairs beautifully with turkey, chicken, pork, or seafood entrees
- Offers a more indulgent take on traditional stuffing
- Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or any meal that needs a gourmet upgrade
Essential Ingredients:
Seafood Options:
- Lump crab meat (fresh or canned)
- Shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped)
- Scallops (small bay scallops or chopped sea scallops)
- Lobster meat (optional for luxury)
Base:
- Day-old bread cubes (French bread or cornbread)
- Onion, celery, garlic (classic aromatics)
- Fresh herbs: parsley, thyme, sage
- Chicken or seafood broth
- Eggs (to bind)
- Butter or olive oil
Flavor Enhancers:
- Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
- Lemon juice and zest
- White wine or sherry (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard
Classic Crab & Shrimp Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat
- 1/2 lb shrimp, chopped
- 6 cups bread cubes
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup seafood or chicken broth
- 2 eggs, beaten
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
- In a skillet, melt butter and saute onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Stir in shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes until just pink.
- In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, crab, cooked shrimp mixture, parsley, and seasonings.
- Add broth, wine, and beaten eggs. Mix gently.
- Pour into baking dish and bake for 35–40 minutes until golden on top.
Variations:
- Scallop & Herb Stuffing: Use scallops in place of shrimp and add fresh rosemary.
- Lobster Cornbread Stuffing: Replace bread cubes with cornbread and stir in lobster chunks.
- Spicy Cajun Style: Add andouille sausage and Creole seasoning.
- Stuffed Fish or Mushrooms: Use the stuffing to fill whole fish, mushroom caps, or bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions:
- As a side to roasted turkey or pork loin
- Stuffed inside whole fish like flounder or trout
- Baked in ramekins for individual servings
- Served with hollandaise or beurre blanc sauce for elegance
Tips for Success:
- Use dry bread: It absorbs flavor better and holds its structure.
- Don’t overmix: Gently fold to avoid making it mushy.
- Taste and season before baking to adjust salt/spice.
Storage & Make-Ahead:
- Make-Ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Final Thoughts:
Seafood stuffing offers a delicious, savory upgrade to a classic comfort dish. Whether you stick with the simplicity of crab and herbs or go all out with lobster and cornbread, this coastal-inspired stuffing is guaranteed to impress.
Bring it to your next gathering and watch it disappear fast—just make sure you save a scoop for yourself!
