Baked Seafood Dressing Recipe (Easy Oven-Baked Southern Classic)
Learn how to make baked seafood dressing in the oven with shrimp, crab, and simple ingredients. An easy Southern recipe perfect for holidays and family meals.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shrimp chopped
- 1 cup lump crab meat
- 1 cup oysters optional
- 4 cups crumbled day-old bread or cornbread
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 –3 cups chicken or seafood broth
- ½ cup butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the base
- Start by crumbling your bread or cornbread into a large bowl. Keep the texture slightly chunky—too fine, and your oven baked seafood dressing loses its character.
2. Sauté the aromatics
- Melt butter in a skillet, then toss in chopped onions, celery, and garlic. Let them soften—don’t rush. The aroma should feel warm and inviting, not burnt.
3. Add seafood
- Gently fold in shrimp, crab, and oysters. Cook just until they start to turn opaque—no more.
4. Combine everything
- Pour the seafood mixture over the bread. Slowly add broth while mixing, letting the liquid absorb naturally.
5. Season boldly
- Sprinkle in parsley, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then taste.
6. Bake to perfection
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Smooth the top lightly, then bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown.
Notes
Nutritional information
- Calories: 320–400
- Protein: 18–25g
- Fat: 15–20g
- Carbohydrates: 25–30g
- Sodium: Moderate (adjustable)