Eat Alabama Seafood

Holidays aren’t complete without gathering loved ones around the table and digging into a delicious spread. And while Alabama Gulf seafood is wildly popular during the warm months, it’s just as tasty when it’s cold outside.

Don’t believe us? Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with cold-weather recipes for the holiday season. From appetizers and starters to the main course, Alabama Gulf seafood has something for everyone across the holiday table.

Eat up, and happy holidays, folks.

APPETIZERS & HORS D’OEUVRES

Grilled Shrimp Tapenade Crostini – Featuring rich flavors from olives, garlic, and lemon juice piled high on crunchy flatbread, this recipe is easy to eat on your feet and a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Chargrilled Oysters – Give your guests a true taste of Alabama! This Chargrilled Oyster recipe offers an easy way to enjoy one of Alabama’s best exports. With easy prep and a short cook time, this recipe will allow you to serve big flavor to your guests without a big time commitment.

Dixie Fish Co.’s Orange & Blue Oyster Poppers – This recipe comes fresh from the kitchen of one of Birmingham’s most popular seafood restaurants, so you know it’s good. Featuring Alabama Gulf Oysters deep fried, tossed in Buffalo sauce, and served with a blue cheese dipping sauce on the half-shell, this recipe is perfect for cocktail party mingling.

Crab Meat Spread – Make-ahead dishes make for a much more pleasant evening for hosts. This crab meat spread is easy on time but big on flavor—just make sure you plan ahead because it requires at least 8 hours in the fridge. Serve with crackers at party time, and let the compliments pour in while you pour yourself a cocktail.

Shrimp & Grit Tartlets – How can you improve one of the South’s most famous delicacies? Make it mobile. This recipe allows you to serve up bite-sized portions of one of the world’s most perfect dishes.

West Indies Crab Salad – Lighten up the season’s traditionally heavy and warm dishes with this bright, tart recipe that’s just as good over lettuce as it is served on toast.

Chef Roscoe Hall’s Deviled Crab Fritters – Turn up the heat with spiced crab fritters, the perfect dipping companion with a light remoulade sauce.

SOUPS & STEWS

Wintzell’s Oyster Stew – A perfect warm-up for a cold night and a big holiday meal. This recipe comes with 75 years of seafood expertise and the Wintzell’s stamp of approval.

Creole Oyster Stew – With pepper, thyme, and Tabasco on the ingredient list, this recipe for oyster stew packs more of a spicy punch..

Sweet Red Pepper & Crab Bisque – Sweet red bell peppers balance savory Southern ingredients perfectly in this easy-to-make bisque. In less than 45 minutes, you’ll be ready to serve up big Alabama Gulf flavor.

James Boyce Gulf Seafood Chowder – This stew ain’t no starter—it’s the main attraction. With crab, shrimp, oysters, and Grouper all packed into one bowl, your guests won’t need a second helping – but they’ll want one for sure.

Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo – Hearty, spicy, rich, and Southern – you can never go wrong serving a classic bowl of gumbo. We recommend Conecuh Sausage for a down home flavor your guests can’t get anywhere else.

SIDE DISHES

Kowliga Hushpuppies – So it’s not seafood, but we like to think it’s seafood’s best friend. The kind folks down at Kowliga Restaurant on Lake Martin shared this recipe with us. Serve it up next to deep-fried seafood anything and you’ll have a Christmas dinner they’ll talk about for years to come.

Herbed Gulf Oyster Stuffing – How does one improve on a holiday classic? With bacon and oysters, of course. This Gulf Coast classic is one of our best-kept secrets, but we’re serving it up for all to share.

Gramma Byrne’s Scalloped Oysters – If you wanna know how to cook oysters right, ask an oysterman’s momma. That’s just what we did. This scalloped oysters recipe comes from the kitchen of one of Alabama’s oldest oyster families, Bon Secour Fisheries.

Crab Au Gratin – Just 45 minutes and a few short steps will leave you with a savory side dish featuring rich, creamy flavors and a sterling reputation in the kitchen.

Frank Stitt’s Pickled Shrimp – Never underestimate the value of a make-ahead dish. Or Chef Frank Stitt for that matter. The James Beard award-winning chef was kind enough to share this mouthwatering recipe for Pickled Shrimp with us and we suggest you share it with your friends.

MAIN DISHES

Shrimp, Sausage & Chicken Jambalaya – When you’re looking to feed a crowd, look no further. This jambalaya recipe is a one pot wonder when cooking for a crowd.

Crab Cakes with Mustard Creole Sauce – It’s hard to go wrong with crab cakes. Dress this recipe up by serving it on top of greens or dress it down on a warm kaiser roll – either way you can’t go wrong.

Crab Meat Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy dressing, sweet crab meat, and savory herbs mixed up and stuffed inside Royal Alabama’s legendary Red Shrimp pretty much says all you need to know. But on top of that, this recipe whips up easily and can be baked in bulk just before dinnertime to serve a crowd.

Pecan-Crusted Grouper – Toasted pecans add a nice crunch to this glazed Grouper and a little something different to the menu.

Redfish with Pontchartrain Sauce & Conecuh Jambalaya – The ingredient list is long, but don’t let that scare you away. This recipe is packed with flavor and is surprisingly easy to execute despite the long shopping list.

BRUNCH

Seafood Quiche with Crabmeat & Shrimp – Crabmeat, shrimp, and sautéed vegetables cook to perfection and work as the perfect Christmas morning treat.

Crustless Crab Meat Pie – Gruyere cheese melts to gooey perfection and perfectly compliments the savory flavors of crab, sautéed mushroom, and green onion.

Crab Meat Florentine – This recipe is rich with flavors from parmesan cheese, sautéed garlic, and sweet crab meat. Served over sauteed spinach, it’s the perfect, filling meal for a day full of laughter.

Baked Crab Meat Benedict – Once you’ve tried Alabama Gulf Crab Meat Benedict, plain ole eggs won’t ever be enough to satisfy your brunch cravings.

Low Country Shrimp & Grits – We’ll give South Carolina credit for a truly great recipe, but it won’t ever be as good without the secret ingredient: Alabama Gulf Shrimp.

Fry it, bake it, or cover it in cheese—no matter how you serve it, Alabama Gulf Seafood will be the perfect addition to your family’s holiday feast.