12+ Winter Seafood Recipes Delicious Festive Plates

There’s something special about winter, when the nights grow long and the kitchen lights glow brighter. I always find myself hunting for comforting, festive plates to bring cheer to the dinner table—and seafood becomes a little luxury I can share. Whether it’s a cold Sunday with family or a small holiday gathering, a spread of winter seafood recipes feels both celebratory and soothing. Over the years, I’ve stitched together go-to favorites, some passed down and some improvised, and found that seafood shines in the colder months. Here are 12+ winter seafood recipes delicious festive plates—each with its own personal charm, and easy enough to whip up even on a busy December weeknight.

1. Creamy Winter Seafood Chowder

Why You’ll Love It:

This chowder is deeply comforting and manages to coax warmth into the coldest days. I make it for quiet nights when everyone comes inside with red cheeks, craving something rich but not heavy. It’s thick with potatoes, plump seafood, and just the right amount of herbs.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, white fish, scallops)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 3 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and celery until softened, about 4 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in potatoes, thyme, bay leaf, and broth. Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
4. Add seafood and simmer until just cooked through, 4-5 minutes.
5. Stir in cream and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Flavor Boost: Add a splash of dry white wine to the broth for extra depth.

Serving Idea: Serve with toasted sourdough or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

2. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Why You’ll Love It:

Perfect for festive gatherings, these mushrooms are always a hit as a holiday appetizer. They’re bite-sized, buttery, filled with real crab and a touch of spice. I like making these when I want something impressive with almost no fuss.

Serving size: Serves 6 as an appetizer

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 38 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 16 large cremini mushrooms, stems removed
• 6 ounces lump crabmeat
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 green onion, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix crabmeat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, panko, green onion, lemon zest, Old Bay, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill each mushroom cap with crab mixture. Place on a baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle Parmesan over the tops.
5. Bake for 18 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

Flavor Boost: Add a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a kick.

Meal Prep Tip: Mix the filling a day ahead, stuff before baking.

3. Baked Cod with Winter Vegetables

Why You’ll Love It:

When I want an easy, healthy main that feels like a special meal, I turn to this simple baked cod. The veggies caramelize around the fish, making cleanup a breeze, and it looks beautiful straight from the oven.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 parsnips, sliced
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon, zested and sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss carrots, parsnips, and onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil, half the salt and pepper. Spread in a baking dish.
3. Lay cod fillets on top. Drizzle remaining oil, sprinkle with lemon zest, rest lemon slices over the fish.
4. Roast 25 minutes until the fish flakes easily.

Swap This With That: Use haddock or halibut instead of cod.

Best Pairings: Serve with quinoa salad or crusty bread.

4. Garlic Butter Shrimp & Polenta

Why You’ll Love It:

This is my kind of winter comfort food—creamy polenta, spooned out warm, and topped with garlicky, buttery shrimp. It hits the spot when you need something hearty yet still a little elegant for a weeknight.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup quick-cooking polenta
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Whisk in polenta, cook until thick (about 5 minutes), then stir in Parmesan and half the butter. Keep warm.
2. Melt the rest of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 minutes.
3. Add shrimp, cook until just pink, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve shrimp over polenta, garnish with parsley.

Serving Idea: Top with sautéed spinach or roasted cherry tomatoes for color.

Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.

5. Winter Seafood Paella

Why You’ll Love It:

For parties or cozy gatherings, paella is a dramatic centerpiece. I love mixing in chunks of winter vegetables for heartiness alongside classic seafood for a one-pan celebration plate.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 1/2 cups paella or Arborio rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup diced roasted winter squash
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 4 cups chicken or seafood stock
• 12 mussels, scrubbed
• 12 large shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound squid rings
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 lemon, cut in wedges
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Heat olive oil in paella pan; cook onion until soft.
2. Stir in garlic, rice, paprika, and saffron. Stir for 2 minutes.
3. Add stock, bring to simmer. Arrange squash and peas.
4. Nestle seafood into the rice. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
5. Remove from heat, top with cilantro and lemon wedges.

Meal Prep Tip: Prep all diced veggies and seafood ahead, then assemble just before cooking.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t stir the rice once the liquid is added—let a crust form on the bottom.

6. Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Broccoli

Why You’ll Love It:

This is a quick-fix weeknight dinner that’s still festive enough for winter dinner guests. The savory-sweet glaze caramelizes perfectly, and the broccoli adds crunch and color.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Whisk miso, soy sauce, mirin, and honey. Brush over salmon.
3. Bake salmon for 15-18 minutes, until just cooked.
4. Steam broccoli; toss with sesame oil and seeds.
5. Plate salmon, top with scallion, serve with broccoli.

Swap This With That: Use steelhead trout instead of salmon.

Best Pairings: Serve with steamed jasmine rice or quinoa.

7. Clam Linguine with Garlic and Herbs

Why You’ll Love It:

Briny, fresh clams, silky pasta, and a sauce that clings just right—this pasta fills the house with aroma and feels festive without extra work. I make this on snowy Fridays with a glass of white wine close by.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound linguine
• 2 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon wedges

How to Make It:

1. Cook linguine in salted water, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet, cook garlic until fragrant. Add clams, chili flakes, and wine.
3. Cover and steam 5-7 minutes until clams open.
4. Toss with drained pasta, parsley, seasoning, and reserved pasta water if needed.

Flavor Boost: Grate fresh lemon zest over pasta before serving.

Serving Idea: Add sautéed spinach or arugula for extra greens.

8. Snow Crab Gratin

Why You’ll Love It:

This dish is rich and luxurious, perfect for a festive dinner or New Year’s Eve meal. Every spoon is bubbling with decadent crab and creamy, cheesy sauce—my friend Paul calls it “holiday comfort in a casserole.”

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

Total Time: 48 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound snow crab meat (cooked, picked over)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch cayenne
• Salt and black pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix crab, cream, sour cream, Gruyère, half the Parmesan, chives, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Spoon into a buttered gratin dish.
4. Mix panko with melted butter and remaining cheese; sprinkle on top.
5. Bake for 28 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Serving Idea: Serve with garlic-rubbed crostini or a crisp green salad.

Meal Prep Tip: Assemble ahead and store, covered, in the fridge; bake just before serving.

9. Roasted Lemon-Garlic Oysters

Why You’ll Love It:

This is a fun, hands-on appetizer that always feels like an event. Even folks who shy away from raw oysters enjoy these—they’re savory, bright, and just luxe enough. I serve them on holidays when I want to bring the sea to the table.

Serving size: Serves 6 as an appetizer

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 24 oysters, scrubbed and shucked, on the half shell
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Rock salt (for baking base)
• Freshly ground pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Melt butter, stir in garlic and lemon zest.
3. Arrange oysters on a rock salt-lined baking sheet.
4. Spoon butter over each oyster.
5. Roast 10 minutes until plump and golden.
6. Top with parsley and lemon juice before serving.

Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes on top before roasting.

Best Pairings: Serve alongside sparkling wine or a crisp pilsner.

10. Scallop and Fennel Potato Bake

Why You’ll Love It:

This creamy, layered bake feels like winter holiday food—subtle sweetness from scallops and fennel, all tucked between slices of potato. It’s equally good as a main or a decadent side for a big gathering.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound sea scallops, cut in half if large
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Butter a baking dish.
3. Layer half the potatoes, then half the fennel, then half the scallops. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little cheese. Repeat.
4. Pour cream over all. Sprinkle top with dill and remaining cheese.
5. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes. Remove foil; bake 10 more minutes until golden.

Swap This With That: Use leeks instead of fennel for a milder flavor.

Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cream.

11. Winter Citrus Shrimp Skewers

Why You’ll Love It:

Zesty and bright, these shrimp skewers are easy to marinate ahead and broil or grill even indoors. They taste like winter’s answer to summer BBQ, and I pair them with a citrusy salad for a quick meal.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 orange, cut into half-moons
• 1/2 red onion, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh mint, chopped

How to Make It:

1. Whisk olive oil, orange zest, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Toss with shrimp, orange, and onion.
2. Thread shrimp, orange, and onion on skewers.
3. Broil or grill 3-4 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque.
4. Sprinkle with mint and serve with extra citrus.

Meal Prep Tip: Marinate shrimp and veggies up to 4 hours in advance.

Serving Idea: Serve over winter greens or rice.

12. Festive Smoked Salmon Blinis

Why You’ll Love It:

Little savory pancakes with silky salmon are a holiday staple in my house. Great for brunch, parties, or anytime you want something a little fancy with minimal work—these are always gone fast.

Serving size: Makes 24 blinis (serves 6 as an appetizer)

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 cup blini mix or pancake mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Butter for frying
• 6 ounces smoked salmon, sliced
• 1/3 cup crème fraîche
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill
• Lemon zest and capers for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Whisk blini mix with milk and egg until smooth.
2. Heat a skillet, melt a little butter, drop teaspoonfuls of batter to make mini pancakes. Cook 1-2 minutes per side.
3. Cool slightly, then top each with crème fraîche, salmon, dill, and garnish.

Budget-Friendly Tip: Use Greek yogurt instead of crème fraîche.

Best Pairings: Champagne or a crisp apple cider.

13. Cioppino – Hearty Winter Seafood Stew

Why You’ll Love It:

Rich with tomatoes, wine, and all kinds of seafood, cioppino is the kind of dish that makes me slow down and savor every spoonful. It’s generous, feeds a crowd, and keeps everyone warm and happy at the table.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups seafood stock
• 1/2 pound white fish, cut in chunks
• 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled
• 12 mussels
• 12 clams
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add chili flakes, tomatoes, wine, and stock; bring to a simmer.
3. Add fish and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp, mussels, and clams; cover and cook until shellfish open, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Stir in herbs, taste for salt and pepper, serve hot.

Personal Note: My uncle made cioppino every Christmas Eve—he always let us pick our favorite seafood to add.

Best Pairings: Serve with rustic sourdough or garlic toast.

14. Winter Tuna Nicoise Platter

Why You’ll Love It:

Hearty enough for a chilly day, but with the brightness of preserved winter veggies, this version of Nicoise can be a beautiful, shareable lunch or light dinner. I love assembling all the elements ahead and letting everyone choose their own adventure.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 tuna steaks (about 6 oz each)
• 4 small Yukon Gold potatoes
• 8 ounces green beans
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup olives
• 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, halve; boil eggs 9 minutes, peel and halve.
2. Blanch green beans until bright and crisp.
3. Pan-sear tuna steaks in hot oil, about 2 minutes per side for rare; slice.
4. Arrange all components on a platter.
5. Whisk olive oil, Dijon, vinegar, salt, and pepper for dressing. Drizzle over platter.

Swap This With That: Use smoked trout or canned tuna for a shortcut.

Meal Prep Tip: Prepare all veggies and eggs a day ahead.

15. Lemon-Basil Baked Halibut

Why You’ll Love It:

Light, flaky, richly aromatic—halibut is a mild crowd-pleaser, and the lemon-basil topping gives it freshness even in mid-winter. I bake this for weeknight dinners or use it for a quick centerpiece at impromptu get-togethers.

Serving size: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 4 halibut fillets
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix panko, basil, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place halibut in baking dish; top with crumb mixture.
4. Drizzle with lemon juice.
5. Bake 18 minutes, until fish is opaque.

Budget-Friendly Tip: Use tilapia or cod in place of halibut.

Serving Idea: Pair with steamed asparagus or wild rice.

16. Herbed Seafood Pot Pie

Why You’ll Love It:

There’s nothing more comforting on a cold night than a bubbling pot pie. This version is packed with tender seafood and winter vegetables under a flaky pastry. My family expects it at least once every January.

Serving size: Serves 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish)
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup seafood or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or thyme
• Salt and pepper
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in butter until soft.
3. Stir in flour, cook 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and broth.
4. Add seafood, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3 minutes, then pour into a pie dish.
5. Top with pastry, brush with egg. Bake 40 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t overcook the seafood before baking; it will finish cooking in the oven.

Meal Prep Tip: The filling can be made the day before and chilled.

FAQ

What seafood is best in winter for these recipes?

Many types of seafood, like cod, mussels, scallops, and crab, are at their best in winter months. Lean on what’s fresh or frozen at your local market—cold-water fish tend to be firmer and sweeter in colder weather.

Can I use frozen seafood for these plates?

Absolutely. Frozen seafood often tastes just as good as fresh, especially in cooked recipes like chowders, bakes, or stews. Just be sure to thaw and drain well before using to prevent excess water.

How can I make these recipes allergy-friendly?

It depends on the specific allergy. For shellfish-free versions, choose recipes that use only fish (like the Baked Cod or Lemon-Basil Halibut), or swap shellfish for extra fish or even beans. Always double-check all ingredients for cross-contamination.

Are these winter seafood dishes good for meal prepping?

Several are perfect for meal prep: the Baked Cod, Cioppino, Seafood Pot Pie, and Crab Gratin all reheat well. Assemble elements ahead whenever possible and just finish with the final bake or garnish before serving.

Conclusion

There’s something undeniably joyful about bringing winter seafood recipes delicious festive plates to your table when the weather pushes everyone inside. Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or just craving the briny comfort of the sea amid the chill, these dishes are a mix of tradition, celebration, and cozy warmth. Don’t be afraid to swap ingredients or add your own seasonal twist—seafood is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable. With a little inspiration and a well-stocked fish counter, you’ll find winter meals that feel both nourishing and festive, perfect for sharing with the people who matter most. Happy winter cooking.