Description

This Seafood Cornbread Dressing takes Southern holiday tradition to the next level with tender shrimp, lump crab meat, and golden homemade cornbread. Perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices, this dish transforms a classic side into a luxurious centerpiece for your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cornmeal
½ cup self-rising flour
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
¼ cup salted butter (room temp)
1 large egg
1 tsp cooking oil
4 cups prepared cornbread, crumbled
1 lb medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
6–8 oz lump crab meat
1 tbsp garlic paste (or 3 minced garlic cloves)
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 tbsp fresh tarragon, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
2 tbsp green onions, minced
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup cream of celery soup
1 cup seafood stock
1½ tsp seasoning salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
2 tsp smoked paprika
1–2 cups Italian bread, cubed

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare cornbread by combining cornmeal, flour, sugar, milk, egg, and butter. Bake in a greased dish for 25 minutes. Cool completely, then crumble.
In skillet, sauté onion, celery, and garlic in butter 3–5 minutes until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper, then add herbs.
Crumble cooled cornbread into a large bowl. Add sautéed vegetables, Italian bread cubes, mayonnaise, cream soups, and seasonings. Mix until combined.
Gradually stir in seafood stock ¼ cup at a time until mixture is moist but not soupy.
Fold in shrimp and crab meat gently.
Spread mixture into greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle top with smoked paprika.
Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30–40 minutes until golden and set.
Cool 15 minutes before serving for best texture.

Notes

For best results, prepare cornbread a day ahead so it crumbles easily. Avoid overcooking seafood—raw shrimp will finish baking in the oven. Taste mixture before baking and adjust seasonings for bold flavor. Can substitute crab with lobster, scallops, or firm white fish.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 65 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 385
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1240mg
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 185mg