Try the best Fish recipes for Christmas Day and add a delicious touch to your holiday celebration. These recipes for appetizers and main courses pair beautifully with classic sides like mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables for a well-rounded meal.
Jump to:
- Florida Fish Dip
- Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce
- Florida Keys Pink Shrimp Cocktail
- Seared Yellowfin Tuna with Sesame Dipping Sauce
- Pan Seared and Blackened Yellowfin Tuna
- Crispy Panko Crab Cakes
- Christmas Fish Recipes
- Roasted Mahi Mahi with Old Bay
- Seared Mahi Mahi with Basil Butter Sauce
- Baked Yellowtail Snapper
- Air Fryer Snapper
- Seared Tripletail with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Roasted Red Snapper
- Blackened Shrimp with Brown Butter Sauce
- Salmon Chowder
- Fish and Mashed Potatoes
- Pan Fried Yellowtail Snapper
- Fish and Grits Breakfast
- Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables
- Key Lime Pie
- More Christmas Inspiration
- FAQ
Fish recipes are a game-changer during the holidays, cooking faster than most proteins and often ready in under 15 minutes.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch for friends or a big family dinner by the water, seafood takes center stage as the perfect addition to your Christmas menu.
Here are 18 recipes from Cooking in the Keys that will make your holiday unforgettable, bringing the bright, coastal flavors of the Florida Keys to your festive table.
Florida Fish Dip
Smoked Fish Dip is an iconic South Florida holiday classic. Creamy and rich, it’s made with smoked fish (mahi, wahoo, or amberjack), cream cheese, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices. You can find smoked fish at local fisheries or pick up pre-made dip in the seafood section at Publix.
Serve it with buttery crackers, carrot and celery sticks, and lemon wedges for a perfect appetizer
Stone Crab Claws with Mustard Sauce
Stone crab claws are a true taste of the Florida Keys. Their sweet, tender meat paired with a creamy, tangy mustard sauce is pure perfection. The combination captures the flavor of the warm coastal waters and brings a touch of island charm to any holiday spread.
Purchase stone crabs from a reputable dealer. They need to be very fresh! Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail forks.
Florida Keys Pink Shrimp Cocktail
No Christmas dinner is complete without a big bowl of shrimp cocktail. Be sure to make plenty—these always disappear fast!
Serve with lemon wedges and a homemade classic cocktail sauce for the perfect holiday appetizer.
Seared Yellowfin Tuna with Sesame Dipping Sauce
Seared Yellowfin (Ahi) Tuna with Sesame Dipping Sauce is a simple, elegant dish that’s packed with bold flavors and ready in minutes. The Ahi tuna pairs perfectly with the rich, nutty sesame sauce and it looks great on a platter.
Pick up Ahi tuna from the freezer section of your local fishery, and grab fresh sesame oil and mayonnaise for the creamy dip.
This recipe can be made early in the day and refrigerated until serving time for best results.
Pan Seared and Blackened Yellowfin Tuna
Blackened tuna makes a bold and festive addition to your Christmas dinner. Coated in a blend of Cajun spices—paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and black pepper—this dish is seared in a hot skillet to create a charred, crispy crust, while the inside remains tender and rare.
Make sure to sear the tuna for no more than 30 seconds on each side so it remains bright red! Sushi-grade tuna is available at all fisheries in the Keys and your local grocery store.
Crispy Panko Crab Cakes
Crab cakes make a perfect holiday dish that’s simple yet full of flavor. Made with Maryland lump crab or claw meat, or decadent Florida stone crab meat, these cakes are easy to prepare. Mix the crab with just enough panko breadcrumbs to hold them together, form into patties, and fry until crisp and golden brown.
Serve crab cakes hot with a creamy cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges for an appetizer or main course.
Christmas Fish Recipes
Fish recipes for Christmas Day are perfect for any celebration, whether you’re watching the game or hosting an open house for friends. These dishes add a fresh twist to the holiday spread. From pan-seared mahi to crispy yellowtail snapper, your gathering will have a festive, coastal vibe that everyone will love.
Roasted Mahi Mahi with Old Bay
Make this quick and delicious dish of roasted mahi mahi seasoned with Old Bay seasoning. The blend of spices adds a burst of Chesapeake Bay flavor to this flaky fish that's ready in under 20 minutes. Pair it with Mango Pico de Gallo for a fresh and vibrant side, perfect for a holiday meal!
Seared Mahi Mahi with Basil Butter Sauce
Pan-seared Mahi is a showstopper that will have your guests raving and reaching for seconds. This recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table. Its juicy, tender interior makes it easy to prepare yet impressive enough for any special occasion.
Baked Yellowtail Snapper
Seasoned with Old Bay and butter, this yellowtail snapper packs classic flavor and a flaky texture. It’s an easy way to serve a high-quality meal that's both low-carb and healthy. Give this recipe a try—you’ll love the mouthwatering results!
Air Fryer Snapper
When your oven is busy roasting a turkey and you need to prepare more food, your air fryer becomes a lifesaver. Plug it in and get started with this recipe for Air Fryer Snapper.
Golden brown with crispy edges, air fryer snapper with veggies is a perfect addition to your Christmas dinner. Using thin, white fish fillets, this dish delivers a festive, high-protein meal that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Use this recipe with any type of thin fish fillets, including mahi, hogfish, tripletail, any snapper, (red snapper, mutton snapper, grey snapper, etc.), flounder, or sole.
Seared Tripletail with Lemon Butter Sauce
Delicately seared tripletail with a sweet garlic butter sauce brings the fresh flavors of the Florida Keys to your table. This local favorite is mild, tender, and perfect paired with lemon asparagus rice or roasted vegetables.
Roasted Red Snapper
Consider serving roasted whole red snapper on Christmas day. Roasted snapper pairs perfectly with traditional holiday sides, offering a fresh take on Christmas dinner. The juicy fish with crispy skin is simple to prepare, making it a stress-free addition to your holiday menu. You can easily adapt this recipe with any fresh fish for a delicious result.
Blackened Shrimp with Brown Butter Sauce
Add holiday spice to your Christmas dinner with this Cajun-inspired shrimp in a rich brown butter sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish is quick, flavorful, and sure to be the most popular plate on your table. Perfect as an appetizer or main.
Salmon Chowder
Salmon Chowder is a perfect addition to your Christmas spread. This make-ahead dish features wild-caught salmon fillets, potatoes, carrots, celery, and herbs. Its rich, creamy texture brings warmth and comfort to your holiday table. Prepare it in advance for a stress-free, delicious meal that you'll love.
Fish and Mashed Potatoes
For your Christmas meal, pair your mashed potatoes with pan-seared fish featuring a crispy coating and rich buttery sauce. Add a vegetable side for a simple, delicious holiday feast that everyone will love.
Pan Fried Yellowtail Snapper
Surprise your gluten-free guests with a crispy yellowtail snapper dish. This recipe features an almond flour crust, cooked on the stove in butter and olive oil for a golden, crispy finish that's ready in just five minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and homemade tartar sauce for a special touch.
Fish and Grits Breakfast
Fish and Grits is a Southern-style breakfast for Christmas morning. This filling meal has hot creamy grits, eggs, onions, and thin white flaky fish fillets such as white grunts or snapper, tripletail, grouper, hogfish, or trout. It's delicious!
Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables
Try this quick sheet pan fish and vegetables, topped with a tangy sour cream dill sauce. It’s easy, fresh, and perfect for busy weeknights. Healthy, full of flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes! Low carb, low calorie, and gluten free.
Key Lime Pie
Don’t forget the Key Lime Pie on Christmas Day! This tangy, sweet dessert is Florida’s official pie, known for its bright key lime flavor and creamy texture. With a buttery graham cracker crust and smooth filling, it’s the perfect refreshing finish to your holiday meal.
If you're in the Upper Keys, such as Key Largo, Tavernier, or Islamorada, the Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory is a must-visit. Located at 92220 Overseas Hwy in Tavernier, they make an excellent Key Lime Pie with a meringue topping. Given its popularity, you might want to pick up two!
In Key West, the Key Lime Pie Co. at 511 Greene Street is renowned for its delicious pies. They hand-make their pies daily using a 100-year-old recipe, featuring all-natural ingredients, real key lime juice, and a handmade graham cracker crust.
More Christmas Inspiration
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FAQ
Popular Christmas seafood dishes include shrimp cocktail, lobster tails, stone crab claws, and baked fish like snapper or mahi mahi. Southern cooks might have oyster dressing on the menu, while Italian celebrations might include a spread of seafood dishes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Yes, you can serve fish on Christmas Day. It’s a great option and part of many holiday traditions, like the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Fish is light, tasty, and pairs well with festive sides for a special meal. This Blackened Swordfish Steak is the perfect zesty fish for Christmas.
Crab cakes are a great choice for a Christmas appetizer. They’re tasty, with a sweet and mild flavor that feels fancy. You can serve them with different sauces like remoulade, spicy mayo, or tartar sauce to add some variety. They’re rich in flavor but not too heavy, making them perfect for starting off your holiday meal.
White fish like red snapper, are excellent choices because they cook quickly and have a mild flavor that pairs well with many seasonings and sauces. For something heartier, grouper or mahi mahi also work well and are still easy to prepare.
Fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) according to the USDA. Avoid overcooking to keep the fish moist and tender.
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