Great Ways to Serve Seafood For Your Thanksgiving Meal
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we are already planning our holiday menus and writing down grocery lists. It’s one of the best holidays; a time when family and friends gather and enjoy their time together. And we can’t deny that this holiday is also all about the food and the Thanksgiving meal.
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, most people play it safe without experimenting. The turkey is a staple, and there’s no dinner if there’s no bird. And for the sides, people like familiar tastes and textures, and you’ll always find mashed potatoes, green beans, and Brussels sprouts on the table.
We are all for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner; if you like the typical sides, you shouldn’t leave them out. However, we are also keen on innovation and keeping things fresh, so why don’t we try something new for this year’s Thanksgiving meal? What do you think about a seafood dinner? Maybe it sounds strange, but hear us out. Fish dishes go perfectly with old-fashioned Thanksgiving meal sides, and you won’t go wrong if you make some for this year’s dinner. You can even forget about the turkey and go with a whole roasted fish, but enough with wild ideas.
We will focus on seafood dinner sides; you are lucky because people from the best place to have seafood dinner in Miami will share their favorites with you.
Thanksgiving Dinner Sides – Seafood Edition
We chose the most fantastic seafood dinner sides to share with you. There are plenty to choose from, but if you host a big crowd for this year’s Thanksgiving meal, you can make them all.
Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a staple in many Thanksgiving dinner spreads, and you probably have them yearly. So why not spice it up with a bit of lobster? What’s not to like – creamy mashed potatoes paired with buttery lobster? This side dish is easy to make; you can use the recipe for mashed potatoes you usually use and combine it with grilled lobster tails you prepared with a bit of butter. It will be finger-licking, believe us.
Scalloped Oysters
Oysters are always a good idea, especially if you want to elevate your Thanksgiving meal. You’ll eat something classy, but it will still be a warm and comforting meal. You will need to find the freshest oysters possible to achieve the perfect taste of this fish dish. Even if it seems complicated, this dish is simple, has few ingredients, and will be done quickly. You need some tasty breadcrumbs, crackers, spices, butter, and milk, besides the oysters. And like many other Thanksgiving dinner sides, it’s made in the oven, saving you time.
Shrimp on Creamy Polenta
Creamy polenta is a delightful dish, even better when combined with shrimp. To make the polenta extra creamy, cook it with milk and some good-quality butter. Shrimp should also be prepared on butter, seasoned with just a bit of salt and ground black pepper. Serve everything with freshly chopped parsley, and enjoy. z
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
If you can’t find fresh oysters, maybe you can find fresh scallops. They are incredible, but even better if you pair them with bacon. We don’t have to mention that these are easy to prepare, as you only need to wrap the scallops with juicy bacon and sear them in a skillet. You can serve them as an appetizer or a side; it’s up to you. Just be sure that you have enough for the whole crowd because these always steal the show.
Seafood Mac & Cheese
Who doesn’t love mac & cheese? It’s a tasty childhood memory that makes a comeback every Thanksgiving dinner. But what’s even better is to pair mac & cheese with seafood. You can prepare the mac & cheese part the way you like and add any seafood before putting it in the oven. Our recommendation is to add shrimp that you’ve cooked on butter before. Bake everything until it is golden brown, and enjoy.
Salmon Fish Dip
You need to have at least one fish dip on your table, and if it’s going to be one, we vote for the salmon. It’s easy to make, and smoked salmon gives it an excellent taste. And the best thing is you can whip it up in minutes. You just have to mash the salmon and mix it with cream cheese, some freshly chopped parsley, and dill. Add a little bit of lemon juice and serve it with your favorite crackers. If you think fish dip doesn’t sound like much, please try it before judging.
Crab Cheese Rolls
You want to make cheese rolls but don’t know how to make them more exciting. We’ve got your back; add crab meat to the cream cheese mixture. It’s another easy Thanksgiving meal, as you’ll use store-bought crescent rolls and mix cream cheese with parmesan, chives, and crab meat.
Cajun Crab Potato Skins
If you are in the mood for crispy potato skins, you must make them with crab meat. Potato skins are also pretty straightforward, and the potato you scoop can be used for various recipes. You can use it for mashed potatoes with a twist or for a seafood dinner potato salad. And for the skins, you’ll want to fill them with a combination of crab meat, grated cheddar, chopped onion, Cajun spice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Salmon-Stuffed Deviled Eggs
We are crazy about any form of deviled eggs, and this version might be our favorite. You can use your favorite deviled eggs recipe; just add some finely chopped smoked salmon to the filling. It will make all the difference, and people will go crazy over holiday fish dishes.
Brussels Sprouts & Scallops Salad
Another indispensable ingredient in every Thanksgiving dinner is Brussels sprouts. We prefer when they are made in the oven with a bit of olive oil and salt until they are incredibly crispy. To make this salad incredible, you should bake some bacon and once it’s done, sear the scallops in the bacon fat. Combine the Brussels sprouts with bacon chunks and seared scallops, and top everything off with a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar. The combination is out of this world, and you will adore it.
Find More Inspiration
You’ve probably noticed we recommended simple yet exciting meals. Many of these dishes share ingredients, so you won’t have to buy anything special and spend a lot of money. But no matter how similar the ingredients are, every one of these meals is unique and special. And we believe we’ve given you enough inspiration for this holiday season, and some of these recipes you can even use for Christmas.
However, if you need a bit more inspiration, we are delighted to invite you to visit our Stiltsville Fish Bar. We can offer you the best seafood dishes in Miami and give you plenty of inspiration for your holiday feast. Don’t hesitate and call us today to book your reservation. We are waiting for you!
