The Only Seafood Dressing Recipe You'll Need

Active Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

9 hrs 40 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Gluten-Free

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Ingredients

Cornbread

2 cups finely ground cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided

Dressing

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
3 medium celery stalks, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
⅓ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups unsalted chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
8 ounces fresh jumbo lump crabmeat, drained and picked over
1 pound large peeled, deveined raw shrimp

Directions

To prepare cornbread: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven while it preheats. Whisk cornmeal, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Add buttermilk, egg and 2 tablespoons melted butter; whisk until well combined.

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley
Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter; carefully swirl to coat the bottom. Pour in the cornmeal mixture. Bake until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand, uncovered, in the skillet on a wire rack until dry (see Tip, above), at least 8 hours, before making dressing.

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley
To prepare dressing: Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in parsley, garlic, sage, Old Bay, paprika, salt and cayenne; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley
Crumble the dried cornbread by hand into a large bowl. Add the vegetable mixture, broth, milk and eggs; stir until evenly moistened and combined. Gently fold in crab and shrimp. Spoon the mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Bake until set, puffed slightly and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley

To make ahead

Cornbread can be made up to 3 days ahead. Cool and store, covered, at room temperature. Unwrap about 8 hours before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cornbread good for you?

The primary ingredients in this cornbread recipe are cornmeal and buttermilk. Corn is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and is high in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat. Not to be outdone, buttermilk adds its own nutrition, including protein, vitamin B12, calcium, riboflavin and pantothenic acid, per the USDA. It can also add gut-healthy bacteria, which can help bolster your immune system.
Are shrimp and crab healthy?

Seafood in general is healthy, including shrimp and crab, due in part to their omega-3 content. In particular, seafood tends to have the important omega-3s, DHA and EPA, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Shrimp and crab are also good sources of protein and other nutrients that contribute to overall good health. And while shrimp is high in cholesterol, dietary cholesterol plays a very minimal role in increasing the amount of cholesterol in our bodies.
Why should I bake the cornbread ahead?

The cornbread needs to sit out uncovered for at least 8 hours to help it dry out. If your cornbread is too moist, it won't absorb the broth and the dressing will be soggy. When breaking the cornbread apart, it should feel slightly dry to the touch. If the cornbread is still moist, spread it on a large rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 250°F oven for 10 minutes.
What kind of crabmeat should I use?

Look for jumbo lump crabmeat in the fresh seafood section of your supermarket. Jumbo lump crabmeat consists of larger whole pieces. These larger pieces of crabmeat are the two muscles connected to the swimming fins of the crab. Jumbo lump crabmeat has a mild sweet flavor. If you can't find jumbo lump crabmeat, you can use lump crabmeat which consists of broken pieces of jumbo lump and smaller chunks of body meat.
What is the difference between stuffing and dressing?

Stuffing and dressing both consist of a seasoned mixture of bread, herbs and vegetables. Stuffing is typically cooked inside the cavity of whole poultry, such as turkey or chicken. Dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish or cast-iron skillet, with cornbread as its signature ingredient in Southern cuisine.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

196	Calories
8g	Fat
20g	Carbs
11g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 196
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 11g	22%
Total Fat 8g	10%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 97mg	32%
Vitamin A 444IU	9%
Vitamin C 7mg	8%
Vitamin D 16IU	4%
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 23mcg	6%
Vitamin K 24mcg	20%
Sodium 391mg	17%
Calcium 61mg	5%
Iron 1mg	6%
Magnesium 17mg	4%
Potassium 209mg	4%
Zinc 1mg	9%
Vitamin B12 2mcg	83%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.