Welcome to December, Seafoodies!
We’ve taken the classic “12 Days of Christmas” carol and given it a delicious makeover—because while partridges and pear trees are lovely, nothing beats Creamy Crab and Kale Lasagna or Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Citrus Soy Sauce on your table! This December Meal Plan delivers twelve show-stopping seafood recipes that transform the countdown to Christmas into a culinary celebration that’s REALLY worth singing about.
As we look towards the end of another year, there is something so heartwarming about all the twinkling lights, the festive gatherings, the annual traditions and the sense that meals should feel a little more special. That’s exactly the spirit we’ve captured in this collection. Each recipe brings an elevated, celebratory feel to your kitchen without demanding complicated techniques or hours of prep time. So you can juggle party plans, last-minute gift shopping, cookie-baking marathons and still keep everyone fed through the weeks to come. You can rest easy and let all those sugar plums start to dance in your head, knowing that our seafood meal plan will have you covered from the first to the twelfth day of celebration and beyond!
Start the month off strong with a mouthwatering pan of Crab Frittata Squares in seasonal reds and greens from the fresh kale and peppers. For party spreads, serve up an appetizer of Spicy Clam Dip with a side of store-bought holiday-shaped crackers. For lunch, pre-prepare Cod and Corn Chowder or wrap up some Cheesy Pimento Tuna Melts to store in the fridge, so in all the coming and going, everyone can help themselves. And we would never leave out dinner! Mini Seafood Pot Pies and Sheet Pan Tuna Steaks with Vegetables—two recipes that have turned into go-to favorites in our households and are sure to win over your family as well.
With all the benefits that seafood meal planning brings during the holidays, an extra perk is how well these recipes provide a counterbalance to many heavier dishes. Sure, someone is bringing the twice-baked potatoes loaded down with cream and cheese and there are those who drench their casserole in loads of sauce or gravy, you can always lighten things up with comforting Instant Pot Fish Tortilla Soup or start a new tradition by serving Korean Shrimp and Ramen Bowls with a buffet of savory toppings.
No matter what you choose to create or how you serve it up—trust us! The flexibility to mix and match recipes based on your December schedule is truly a gift that keeps on giving, all month long. And lean into serving up some seafood this holiday season—you know it’s nutritious, but everyone else just thinks it’s festive and tasty!
So grab your apron, crank up the carols and let’s make this the most delicious countdown yet!
Breakfast
Everything Salmon & Egg Breakfast Hand Pies
Flaky pastry meets creamy scrambled eggs and smoked salmon in these portable breakfast pockets that taste like your favorite bagel shop creation. Work up a few dozen before holiday guests arrive and reheat throughout their stay for super chill festive mornings.
Shrimp and Egg Breakfast Burritos
Protein-rich shrimp transforms the standard breakfast burrito into a meal that is special enough for Christmas morning or New Year’s Day brunch. Wrapped in a warm tortilla with fluffy eggs and melted cheese, these burritos keep everyone satisfied through the end of gift opening.
Tender crab meat, vibrant vegetables and fluffy eggs bake together into colorful squares that slice beautifully for holiday brunch gatherings. Serve them warm from the oven or at room temperature to keep things flexible.
Appetizer
Buttery crab salad piled onto toasted sourdough and broiled until golden creates an appetizer that disappears faster than you can make them at holiday parties. The tangy sourdough base provides the perfect contrast to sweet, delicate crab.
Clams and cream cheese go together like gifts and wrapping paper, plus a kick of heat is the bow on top of this addictive dip. Pair it with festive cookie-cutter crackers, a crusty sourdough or fresh vegetables for a starter that requires minimal effort during your busiest month.
Classic deviled eggs get a luxurious upgrade with ribbons of smoked salmon and fresh dill to stand out in your holiday spread. Totally easy to prep ahead, yet sophisticated enough to feel elevated above the basic app everyone knows and loves.
Lunch
Creamy, comforting chowder is the base for flaky cod and sweet corn—a combination that warms you from the inside out between holiday shopping trips. A bowl of this soup paired with crusty bread makes December lunch feel like a celebration.
Southern charm goes seafood in this mashup that combines tangy pimento cheese with tuna for a wonderful winter lunch option. From a simple sandwich to something worth caroling about? Now that’s what we want on our plate!
Tender shrimp swimming in a savory, slightly spicy broth with chewy noodles brings restaurant flavor to your kitchen, for a break from traditional fare. This bowl delivers big, bold bites in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy December afternoons.
Salmon Smash Burgers with Sriracha Mayo
Crispy-edged salmon patties get smashed onto a hot griddle for maximum caramelization. Top with spicy-creamy sriracha mayo for a fun departure from go-to holiday meals.
Dinner
Sheet Pan Tuna Steaks with Vegetables
Everything roasts together on one pan—thick tuna steaks and colorful vegetables—for a complete dinner with minimal dish washing needed during your busiest nights. The high heat creates a beautiful sear on the tuna and keeps the center tender and pink.
Instant Pot Fish Tortilla Soup
Set it and forget it with this hands-off soup that layers tender white fish with tomatoes, black beans and warming spices. And while it cooks, you can wrap presents, decorate, clean up, relax with a glass of wine, whatever! The Instant Pot does all the work!
Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Citrus Soy Sauce
Bright citrus notes from fresh orange and lime create the perfect counterpoint to the natural richness of Sea Bass, while ginger and garlic add warmth. A gentle roast in the oven is all that is needed to fully infuse this delicate fish with this incredible sauce.
Filling these pies with seafood means you’re getting plenty of satisfying protein for a dish that really sticks to the ribs. We are all about a mix of plump shrimp, tender scallops and mild white fish, but feel free to sub in whatever you have on hand!
Our favorite way to settle into this ultra-creamy lasagna? Bake this the day before serving, cover with aluminum foil, refrigerate and reheat (covered) for 30 minutes at 350°F degrees. Enjoy!
No Comments