Description
Learn how to make delicious Southern Style Seafood Stuffed. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound white fish fillets (like cod or haddock), skin removed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat, picked over for shells
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (or crushed saltine crackers as a substitute)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a medium baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. This step always reminds me of the care my mom took to prep every dish, knowing those little touches make a difference in the final result.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. The aroma here will take you straight to those warm family dinners I grew up with.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it—this is a mistake I made plenty of times when I first started cooking, and it can turn the whole dish bitter.
- Transfer the cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped fish, shrimp, and crab meat to the bowl, mixing gently so you don’t mush the seafood.
- Stir in the fresh breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. From my experience, starting with less salt and adjusting after mixing is the best way to avoid oversalting—a lesson I learned the hard way during my chili experiments as a kid.
- Spread the seafood mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Lightly drizzle with a bit of olive oil or dot with small bits of butter on top to encourage a golden crust.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the seafood is cooked through. You’ll know it’s done when the edges bubble slightly and the center is firm but tender. This is one of those magical moments when a kitchen fills with inviting smells and you realize all the prep is worth it.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to serve without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Southern Style Seafood Stuffed, recipe, cooking, food
