Thanksgiving is coming up, and while it may seem overwhelming to select the best food for our friends and family, it should not be a source of stress.
The typical American traditional dishes include things like:
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Roast turkey
- Cranberry sauce
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin pie
…but, everyone does these – right?
So, to make life easier on thanksgiving day, here are the best thanksgiving side dishes for any seafood lover for you (that can also dupe as main ones if needed!) – *psst* this will even impress the extended family!
Italian Baked Salmon Recipe
In this simple recipe every bite will resonate with the flavors of aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and the tangy burst of capers and olives – sounds amazing? It sure is and as one of the best seafood recipe, it will enhance any traditional thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon filets (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup black or green olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Tip: This salmon is fantastic over rice or salad!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then grease a baking dish with a little olive oil or use parchment paper, so nothing will stick.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper – use a food processor to make mixing easier.
Step 3: Place the salmon filets in the baking dish, skin-side down, and brush each filet generously with the marinade, ensuring it’s well-coated – you don’t want it to swim in it, but you also want to make sure it’s fully covered in it.
Step 4: Scatter the tomatoes, olives, bell pepper slices (if using), and capers around and on top of the salmon – that’s it!
Step 5: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon easily flakes with a fork.
Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it cool off at room temperature for a few moments, then sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve immediately – enjoy!
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
What would be a family dinner without some shrimp cocktail? This is one of the easy thanksgiving side dishes that make a welcome addition to any main heavier dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, zested and then cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional for garnish)
For the Cocktail Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup or tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp horseradish (adjust to your liking)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- A dash of hot sauce (like Tabasco)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step 3: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the shrimp for about 8-10 minutes or until they turn pink and are just firm to the touch.
Step 4: While the shrimp are roasting, mix all the cocktail sauce ingredients in a bowl. Adjust seasoning as necessary. If you like a spicier sauce, feel free to add more horseradish or hot sauce.
An easy recipe that will compliment another traditional thanksgiving meal such as sweet potato casserole, butternut squash soup, or even shrimp scampi.
Seafood Risotto Recipe
In this recipe, you will have the creamy texture of the risotto meld with the delicious food – totally mouth-watering and satisfying to your taste buds!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth, kept warm
- 1 cup white wine (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 200g mixed seafood (like mussels, clams, prawns, and squid rings)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Lump crab meat (optional)
- Lobster tails (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat, then add the onion and sauté until translucent – finally, add the garlic and stir for another minute.
Step 2: Add the Arborio rice to the pan and stir well to make sure each rice grain is coated with the oil or butter – continue toasting the rice for about 2 minutes.
Step 3 (optional): If using wine, pour it in and stir continuously until it’s mostly evaporated. If you’re not using wine, just skip this step.
Step 4: Start adding the warm broth, one ladle at a time, stirring frequently – wait until most of the liquid is absorbed before adding the next ladle of broth.
Step 5: When the risotto is halfway done (after about 10 minutes), add the mixed seafood and stir gently and continue adding broth as needed – just make sure it won’t get too watery, if it does, let it simmer longer.
Step 6: Once the seafood is cooked and the risotto is creamy, add the cherry tomatoes. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese (if using).
Finally, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper – that’s it!
Smoked Salmon Crostini Recipe
A delicate balance of smoky, zesty, and crunchy, these smoked salmon crostini transport you straight to a chic café on the Italian seaside – a delicious seafood starter to get the thanksgiving weekend started!
Ingredients:
- Baguette or ciabatta bread, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 200g smoked salmon slices
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp capers, drained and chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and toast in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, and capers – mix it well until smooth.
Step 4: Season with freshly ground black pepper according to your liking!
Step 5: Once the toasted bread slices have cooled slightly, spread a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture on each slice. Place a piece of smoked salmon atop the cream cheese – if you’re feeling fancy, add a couple of slices of red onion for an added bite.
Finally, sprinkle some chopped dill on top of each crostini for garnish.
This appetizer makes a great recipe for traditional green bean casserole or a simple roasted butternut squash.
Italian Seafood Salad Recipe
A festive and refreshing dish reminiscent of coastal Italian summers, the “Insalata di Mare” or Italian seafood salad, combines a medley of ocean flavors with vibrant, zesty undertones. This is a fantastic addition to the traditional thanksgiving turkey and makes a fun twist among the seafood appetizers.
Ingredients:
- 8.8 oz squid, cleaned and cut into rings
- 8.8 oz baby octopus, cleaned
- 8.8 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 7 oz mussels, cleaned
- 7 oz clams, cleaned
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup small capers, drained (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook squid and octopus until just tender, about 1-2 minutes for the squid and 15-20 minutes for the octopus.
Step 2: Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a colander and rinse under cold water. In the same pot, boil the shrimp until pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Step 3: Transfer them to the colander and rinse. Lastly, steam mussels and clams in a separate pot until they open – throw away any that do not open.
Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, then add in the cooked seafood, celery, bell pepper, parsley, lemon zest, and capers (if using) – mix everything together then.
Step 5: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight – just like with any other Italian food, allow the flavors to meld.
That’s it! Make sure to give the salad a good mix before serving it and adjust the seasoning if needed – this makes a perfect appetizer!
Buon appetito!
Which of these delicious recipes are you going to make? Let us know below!
