Family is important to us here in the South. So naturally, Thanksgiving is one of our most cherished holidays. And the Iron Bowl? Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story, but it’s pretty important to us too here in Alabama.

While both holidays come with their fair share of traditions, that’s no excuse to live entirely in the past. Especially when it comes to the food.

Our solution? Alabama Gulf Seafood, of course.

We hand-picked five of our favorite recipes for y’all to try this holiday weekend, guaranteed to impress everyone that tries ‘em. And if you do try something new, make sure you post a photo and tag it with #ALSeafood! We’d love to see the view from your kitchen.

Gramma Byrne’s Scalloped Oysters

This recipe comes straight from the family traditions of Chris Nelson, Vice President of Bon Secour Fisheries. In other words, you know it’s a good one.

If you love oysters, you’ll love the delicious, buttery flavor of this recipe. Just remember what Nelson’s mother always says: This one’s all about the oysters, so please don’t skimp on the main ingredient.

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Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño and Cheese Stuffed Shrimp

Gulf shrimp, bacon, jalapeño peppers, and cheese are sure-fire crowd-pleasers. So it only makes sense to combine ‘em all into a tasty appetizer.

The list of ingredients is pretty manageable, and the preparation is minimal, so this one’s sure to be a quick hit in the kitchen. Just make sure you ask for Gulf shrimp!

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Lionfish Nachos

Chef Chris Sherrill made a splash on the international stage with this delicious recipe, so it’s great dish to introduce to your family and friends.

Now, we know what you might be thinking: “Where the heck do I get Lionfish?” If none of the seafood markets in your area carry Lionfish—and that’s pretty likely, unfortunately—you can easily swap it out for a lean, flaky fish like Flounder.

Compleat West Indies Salad

For a lighter and healthier (but still delicious) dish, try a West Indies Salad with fresh Gulf crabmeat. This dish is a South Alabama classic, and this recipe from Chef Steve Zucker (of Baumhower’s and Dauphin’s) is one of the finest around.

But don’t forget! You’ll need to let this mixture marinate for at least 24 hours, so plan to make it the day before you serve it.

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Gumbo Pizza

Just about everyone loves pizza. And here in the South, well, you’ll raise a few eyebrows and drop a few jaws if you serve a gumbo pizza.

This recipe first took off during the Dauphin Island Gumbo Cook-Off, and it’s been making waves ever since. And yes, it is as delicious as it sounds.

Looking for more recipes to try around the holidays? We’ve got 150+ recipes for you to try. (And they’re all quite good.)