12+ Christmas Fish Recipes Perfect for Christmas Eve

Every December, as our kitchen fills with the scent of citrus, rosemary, and warm bread, I remember the Christmas Eves spent watching snow drift down past frosted windows while my family gathered to prepare a table full of seafood. Our old tradition of serving fish before Midnight Mass always felt both festive and deeply comforting—an excuse to linger together, swap stories, and sample flavors that seem to taste best by the twinkle of holiday lights. If you’re looking for the perfect way to honor this tradition or simply want to bring delicate, celebratory flavors to your table, these 12+ Christmas fish recipes perfect for Christmas Eve make the night feel extra special, no matter who’s gathered around.

Baked Cod with Lemon & Herb Crust

Why You’ll Love It:

This dish has a gentle, comforting flavor that appeals to picky eaters and fish lovers alike. It’s super simple to throw together, looks elegant, and won’t keep you tied to the stove—just pop it in the oven while you mingle or set the table. It’s a classic for families who want something light but festive.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pat the cod dry and lay the fillets on the baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, dill, a pinch of salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
4. Drizzle the fish with lemon juice and the remaining oil, then press the breadcrumb mixture onto each fillet.
5. Bake for 16–18 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and the top is golden.

Flavor Boost: Add a touch of grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mix for extra flavor.

Serving Idea: Delicious with roasted root vegetables or sautéed green beans.

Classic Italian-Style Baccalà alla Livornese

Why You’ll Love It:

Salt cod simmered with tomatoes, olives, and capers makes this feel like a special occasion dish, perfect for gathering everyone around a big pot. It’s one of those recipes that tastes even better made ahead, so you’re free to relax with your guests.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 1/2 pounds salt cod (soaked and rinsed well)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 can (28 ounces) whole plum tomatoes, hand-crushed
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Chopped parsley, for serving

How to Make It:

1. Soak the salt cod in water for 24–48 hours, changing water every 8 hours.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Stir in tomatoes, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the cod, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, turning gently once.
5. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Meal Prep Tip: Make it a day ahead—the flavors get even better.

Best Pairings: Great with crusty bread, polenta, or roasted potatoes.

Roasted Salmon with Orange Fennel Gremolata

Why You’ll Love It:

If you want a centerpiece dish that feels both rich and refreshing, this salmon delivers. Bright citrus and crunchy fennel bring out the best in the fish. It’s an easy roast—no frying smells, no messing with the stove.

Serving size: Serves 6–8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 38 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 pounds side of salmon
• Olive oil, for brushing
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fennel fronds, chopped
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 small orange, thinly sliced
• 1 small bulb fennel, thinly shaved

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Place salmon on sheet, skin-side down. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Roast for 16–18 minutes until just cooked through.
4. Mix parsley, fennel fronds, and orange zest for gremolata. Spread over salmon.
5. Garnish with orange and fennel slices.

Swap This With That: Try trout or steelhead instead of salmon.

Flavor Boost: Add minced garlic to the gremolata.

Portuguese-Style Stewed Monkfish (Tamboril)

Why You’ll Love It:

One-pot stews are a savior for holiday meals, and monkfish holds up beautifully in a tomato, wine, and potato broth. Serve it straight from the pot to keep things unfussy but still special.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 pounds monkfish, cut into chunks
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups fish or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper
• Chopped parsley

How to Make It:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot, then add onions, garlic, and peppers. Cook until soft.
2. Stir in potatoes, tomatoes, wine, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.
3. Add monkfish and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes.
4. Remove bay leaf, check seasoning, and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Meal Prep Tip: Make the broth a day ahead and add fish fresh before serving.

Serving Idea: Serve with big hunks of rustic bread.

Pan-Seared Branzino with Garlic & Herbs

Why You’ll Love It:

This Mediterranean favorite cooks up fast and feels elegant, perfect for smaller gatherings. The crispy skin and fragrant herbs make it taste restaurant-quality without the stress.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 whole branzino (about 1 pound each), cleaned and butterflied
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme and parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon wedges for serving

How to Make It:

1. Pat branzino dry, season with salt and pepper inside and out.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic, sauté 30 seconds, then add fish skin-side down.
4. Cook 5–6 minutes per side, until skin is crisp and flesh flakes.
5. Sprinkle with herbs and serve with lemon.

Flavor Boost: Add capers over the cooked fish for brightness.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t crowd the pan—cook in batches if needed for crisp skin.

Creamy Tuscan Christmas Seafood Chowder

Why You’ll Love It:

This creamy chowder is a crowd-pleaser, perfect to ladle into mugs for an informal, fireplace-side supper. Featuring cod and shrimp, it’s rich without being too heavy, and the sun-dried tomatoes give it holiday flair.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound cod, cut in chunks
• 8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 3 cups fish or chicken broth
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add sun-dried tomatoes, cook 1 minutes.
3. Pour in wine and broth, bring to a simmer.
4. Add fish and shrimp; cook 7–10 minutes.
5. Stir in spinach and cream, season to taste, heat gently without boiling.

Swap This With That: Use scallops instead of shrimp if preferred.

Best Pairings: Pair with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.

Herb-Crusted Tilapia with Panko and Parmesan

Why You’ll Love It:

Tilapia is budget-friendly but feels upgraded here with a crunchy panko-Parmesan crust. Kids love this recipe, and it’s speedy enough for a busy pre-holiday dinnertime.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 ounces each)
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Mix panko, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Brush fish with olive oil and coat with breadcrumb mix.
4. Place on sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes.

Budget-Friendly Tip: Swap tilapia for pollock or whiting to save a bit.

Personal Note: My young cousins love these as fish sticks with tartar sauce.

Simple Poached Halibut in White Wine & Shallots

Why You’ll Love It:

Sometimes gentle is best, and poached halibut comes out tender and subtly flavored. This lets the quality of the fish shine. It’s ideal for guests who like things mild or need a gluten-free option.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 halibut fillets (5–6 ounces each)
• 2 cups dry white wine
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper
• Chopped fresh chives for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a pan large enough to fit fillets in one layer, bring wine, shallots, and butter to a very gentle simmer.
2. Season fish with salt and pepper, add to the broth.
3. Cover and poach 10–12 minutes, until fish flakes easily.
4. Remove fish with a slotted spatula, spoon broth over, and garnish with chives.

Swap This With That: Try sea bass or snapper.

Best Pairings: Steamed asparagus, new potatoes, crusty bread.

Greek Christmas Eve Fish Plaki

Why You’ll Love It:

This Greek-style baked fish is.

baked low and slow in a sweet tomato and onion sauce. It’s hearty, keeps well, and invites everyone to scoop up generous portions straight from the casserole.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 pounds white fish fillets (such as haddock or cod)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, heat oil and sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Arrange fish in a baking dish, top with sauce, cover with foil.
5. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake 10 more minutes. Finish with parsley.

Serving Idea: Especially good with rice pilaf or roasted potatoes.

Meal Prep Tip: You can prepare up to baking step a few hours ahead.

Smoked Salmon & Potato Frittata

Why You’ll Love It:

This frittata makes a laid-back, elegant brunch-for-dinner. Preps quickly, slices easily, and handily feeds a crowd. The smoky salmon and creamy potatoes always say “holiday” to me.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 8 eggs
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup baby potatoes, cooked and sliced
• 4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk eggs and cream, season with salt and pepper.
3. In an ovenproof pan, heat oil, layer potatoes, salmon, and half the scallions.
4. Pour egg mixture, then scatter remaining scallions and dill.
5. Cook over low until edges set, then bake 15–20 minutes until just set.

Flavor Boost: Add a handful of grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese.

Meal Prep Tip: Delicious cold the next morning for breakfast.

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & White Fish Skewers

Why You’ll Love It:

These skewers are quick and lively, letting you serve everybody’s favorite—shrimp—alongside flaky bits of cod or halibut. Fun, festive, and easy to prep ahead for grilling or broiling.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound cod or halibut, cut in 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, to serve

How to Make It:

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Toss shrimp and fish in marinade, chill 10 minutes.
3. Skewer alternately on wooden sticks.
4. Grill or broil 3–4 minutes per side.
5. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.

Serving Idea: Tuck the skewers inside warm pita with a dollop of yogurt.

Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the marinade.

Japanese-Style Soy-Glazed Sea Bass

Why You’ll Love It:

A sweet-and-savory glaze transforms mild sea bass into something extra special. It tastes restaurant-fancy, but it’s secretly so simple and can marinate quietly in the fridge while you prep other sides.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 sea bass fillets (6 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 scallions, sliced

How to Make It:

1. Mix soy sauce, mirin, honey, ginger, and sesame oil in a bowl.
2. Marinate the fish in half the sauce for 10–15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Remove fillets from marinade, place on parchment-lined sheet.
5. Bake for 12–15 minutes, basting once with extra sauce.
6. Top with scallions before serving.

Swap This With That: Use sablefish or halibut if sea bass isn’t available.

Best Pairings: Steamed jasmine rice and sautéed greens.

Scandinavian Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

Why You’ll Love It:

No cooking needed—just a little patience. This elegant cured salmon is a classic for Christmas parties, and slicing it thin feels like a holiday ritual in itself. It’s make-ahead magic.

Serving size: Serves 8–10 as an appetizer

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: Just prep: 15 minutes (plus 36–48 hours curing time)

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 pounds center-cut salmon fillet, skin on, pin bones removed
• 1/2 cup coarse sea salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 1 large bunch fresh dill, roughly chopped

How to Make It:

1. Mix salt, sugar, and pepper.
2. Lay a big piece of plastic wrap on a board; sprinkle half the dill, half the salt mix.
3. Lay salmon skin-side down, top with remaining mix and dill.
4. Wrap tightly, put in a dish, weigh down, and refrigerate 36–48 hours, flipping every 12 hours.
5. Wipe off excess cure, slice thinly on a bias to serve.

Meal Prep Tip: Keeps in the fridge up to 5 days after curing.

Serving Idea: Serve with honey-mustard sauce and dark rye.

Crispy Oven-Fried Fish with Herb Tartar Sauce

Why You’ll Love It:

No one can resist a crunchy golden crust, especially when paired with a zippy homemade tartar. This is comfort food that still looks festive—and it’s all baked, not fried.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 18 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 1/2 pounds white fish fillets (such as cod or haddock)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil spray

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickles
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Herb Tartar Sauce:

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Season fish, dredge in flour, then egg, then panko mixed with spices.
3. Spray with olive oil, place on baking sheet.
4. Bake 16–18 minutes until crisp and flaking.
5. Mix tartar sauce ingredients. Serve fish hot with sauce and lemon wedges.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t forget the oil spray—it’s key for extra crunch in the oven.

Best Pairings: French fries, slaw, or a winter greens salad.

FAQ

What kind of fish is best for Christmas Eve recipes?

Traditional choices like cod, halibut, and baccalà are always welcome, but salmon, branzino, tilapia, and monkfish work beautifully too. Choose what’s freshest and most available in your area.

How far ahead can I prepare these dishes?

Many of these dishes (like chowders, stews, and baked fish) can be made ahead or at least prepped a few hours ahead. Cured salmon/gravadlax actually needs to be started 2 days early, making it a great stress-free option.

What’s a good side dish for serving with Christmas fish?

Roasted or mashed potatoes, rice, hearty bread, green salads, and simple steamed veggies all go well. You can dress things up with lemony green beans or festive roasted root veggies for the holiday.

Is there a gluten-free option among these recipes?

Yes, simple poached halibut in wine, classic baccalà, and most baked or stewed fish recipes can be made gluten-free by substituting GF breadcrumbs wherever needed.

Conclusion

A table filled with fish dishes on Christmas Eve always feels like more than just dinner—it’s a sharing of stories, traditions, and flavors that connect us. From vibrant, rustic stews to crisp, kid-friendly fillets, these recipes make it easy to celebrate the holiday spirit; whether your crowd is small or the whole extended family, there’s a fish to fit every taste. Cook confidently, swap in your favorite fresh finds, and let the season’s flavors shine—they’re sure to make Christmas Eve both memorable and delicious.