Stuffing vs Dressing – What’s the Difference
Looking for a unique and elegant Thanksgiving stuffing or dressing? This holiday season, make sure to put this Seafood Dressing on the menu! It’s rich, packed with flavor, and utterly irresistible. And it happens to be super easy to make! But first, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way… How are stuffing and dressing different? Dressing is a bread-based side dish loaded with herbs and aromatic vegetables, then cooked with butter and broth to create a rich savory bread pudding casserole. Stuffing is exactly the same thing. However, the term stuffing refers to the concept of stuffing the dressing into a turkey, goose, duck, or chicken. You can use this dressing as stuffing and poultry. However, we feel like you always get the best results with any stuffing/dressing recipe when you bake it in it’s own pan. The top gets golden and crispy while the interior stays moist and fluffy. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the bird overcooking while the stuffing cooks through. Serve this outrageously delicious seafood stuffing at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year, as a side dish with turkey, ham, prime rib, beef Wellington, or pork tenderloin!
Ingredients You Need
Butter – unsalted Onion – chopped Celery – chopped Green bell pepper – or any color, seeded and chopped Garlic – minced Cornbread stuffing mix – can be gluten-free, if you like Cooked crab meat – I suggest lump crab meat, drained Canned chopped clams – drained Canned tiny shrimp – drained Fresh parsley – chopped Old Bay seasoning – or cajun seasoning, a favorite for rustic seafood dishes Dried sage – for that classic Thanksgiving stuffing taste… You know the one I’m talking about! Seafood stock – or chicken broth or chicken stock Heavy cream – optional, but highly recommended
How to Make Seafood Dressing
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and grease the bottom and sides with extra butter. Chop the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and parsley. Open and drain the cans and tubs of seafood. Set a large sauté pan (or skillet) over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add in the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Lightly salt and pepper the vegetables, then sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften. Next, stir in the cornbread stuffing mix. Then add the drained seafood, parsley, spices, and dried sage. Mix well to combine. Pour the seafood stock and heavy cream over the dressing mixture. Gently fold to make sure the mixture is moistened throughout. Spoon the seafood stuffing into the prepared pan. (Or bake the stuffing right in the skillet if it is oven-safe!) Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered, until the top is golden and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Seafood cornbread dressing is a delightful side dish at holiday tables! Serve it alongside classic Thanksgiving and Christmas main dishes like Oven Roasted Turkey or Deep Fried Turkey, Baked Ham with honey mustard, or Brown Sugar Ham. Additionally, the savory stuffing pairs well with hearty red meat main dishes that are perfect for special occasions. A few of our favorites include Smoked Prime Rib, Standing Rib Roast, and a decadent Beef Wellington. It’s also delicious with Smoked, Sous Vide, Grilled, Slow Cooked, and Roasted pork tenderloin. And if you need some suggestions for other holiday sides, consider trying our fabulous Mashed Potatoes with homemade Turkey Gravy, Crockpot Green Bean Casserole, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, and perfectly sweet and tart Cranberry Sauce.
Tips & Tricks
For a drier seafood stuffing recipe, you don’t need to add all of the broth! It is up to you depending on how you like the texture of your stuffing. Replace the Old Bay seasoning with cajun seasoning if that is what you have on hand! I prefer Old Bay, but cajun seasoning will do the trick. Bake until the top is crispy! Some people prefer a crispier dressing, so bake until it is as crispy as you like! Be sure to bake uncovered.
Looking for More Scrumptious Seafood Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Seafood Stuffed Shells Best Shrimp Mac and Cheese Warm Crab Pie Recipe Southern Shrimp Toast Best Clam Dip Ever Salmon Sushi Bake Skillet Shrimp Fra Diavolo Pasta
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