Thanksgiving Trend: Elevate Your Feast with Seafood

We love a good Feast of the Seven Fishes meal on Christmas Eve, but it would seem that seafood is growing in popularity for holiday tables even before December arrives. The experts at Fulton Fish Market say they’ve been seeing requests for fish and shellfish for Thanksgiving increase in recent years. Recipes like Spaghetti and Clams Puttanesca and Pomegranate Glazed Salmon have become hits for the holidays.

So we asked the Hudson Yards seafood purveyors to share their best tips for selecting the seafood for your holiday feast. Read on for their best tips for taking your Thanksgiving table under the sea. Plus, for Related Residents, keep reading for a special Thanksgiving offer.

Buying seafood doesn't need to be stressful! Take the guesswork out of buying seafood with our easy-to-follow guide. Learn how to choose delicious, healthy, and sustainable fish and shellfish for your next meal or event. From selecting seafood based on your taste preferences to understanding where to buy your seafood, this guide will transform you into a confident fishmonger ready to bring home the freshest catch.

Determine How Much Seafood You Will Need

Consider the size of your family and the quantity of seafood you'll need. A good rule of thumb is to prepare 6-8 oz of seafood per person for an entrée and 3-4 oz of seafood per person for a starter portion. Check out Seafood Serving Sizes for a more in-depth look at how much seafood you should purchase.

Consider the Reason For Buying Seafood

The purpose of your seafood purchase will also influence your decision. Whether you’re planning weekly meals, cooking for a special occasion or event, or gifting seafood, consider factors such as your budget, dietary constraints, freshness, taste preferences, and how many you are cooking for.

  • Weekly meals: Stocking up on a variety of high-quality frozen seafood is a great option, so you always have some on hand. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least 8 oz of seafood per week.
  • Special occasions: Seafood is often incorporated into holidays, romantic dinners, and celebratory meals. Impress with whole fish or pricier options like king salmon as an entrée, add lobster tails or shrimp as a side dish, and look for specialty and prepared options like caviar or crab cakes as an appetizer.
  • Events: Whether it’s the annual Feast of the Seven Fishes, a backyard BBQ, or a potluck, you will want to find seafood that’s easy to prepare for a crowd. Smoked seafood, grilled seafood steaks, shrimp or scallop kebabs, and ready-to-cook options are all great choices.
  • Gifting: Consider the recipient's tastes and whether they have any dietary restrictions. Samples of a variety of seafood are typically good options for a seafood lover, or you could consider a gift card or gift subscription if you are not sure what they will like.

Choose Seafood that Aligns with Your Dietary Restrictions & Health Goals

Ensure you are aware of any seafood allergies you or your family might have. Although it’s only present in about 2% of the population, shellfish allergies (typically crustaceans like shrimp) are the most common seafood allergy. Also, check to see if the product you are purchasing has been processed in a facility containing the allergens or with equipment that has come in contact with the allergens.

If you're following a specific diet, such as a pescatarian, ketogenic, or gluten-free one, make sure the seafood meets those guidelines.

Seafood has many health benefits. Fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health and brain function. Seafood is also a high-quality source of protein, making it a great option for muscle building and repair.

To learn more about the health benefits of including seafood in your diet, read our blog on the Health Benefits of Seafood.

Identify Your Preferred Recipes and Cooking Methods

Finding recipes you like and cooking methods you are comfortable with will ensure stress-free seafood meals your family and guests will rave about.

  • Choose a recipe: Finding a recipe that you want to make will help you decide which seafood to purchase. This will help you identify which seafood or type of seafood you should use for the dish.
  • Choose a cooking method: How you will cook the seafood will also determine the type of seafood you choose. Some types of seafood are better suited than others based on how you plan to cook it. If you want to grill seafood, opt for a hearty, firm fish that can withstand high heat without falling apart, such as salmon or swordfish. Steaming and poaching are best for maintaining moisture and tenderness, suitable for delicate fish and shellfish like sole and mussels.
  • Choose the seafood based on the type of dish you will make: Mild fish like tilapia and cod pair well with delicate seasonings, while robust fish like salmon and tuna can handle bold flavors.

Get inspired for your next meal with our large collection of seafood recipes and cooking guides.

Select Your Seafood

Once you know how many you are cooking for, the occasion, how you want to prepare it, and dietary restrictions, you can choose seafood you will love. When selecting your seafood, think about if you’re looking for a mild and sweet option or a robust, lean fish. If you know this, you can better choose the right seafood for your dish and ensure it is prepared to highlight its best qualities.

  • Taste: Not all varieties of seafood taste the same. Your fishmonger can help guide you towards a flavor profile you prefer. We recommend trying different varieties to find what you like best.
    • Finfish: Typically flavors vary from mild and sweet to rich and buttery or robust and a bit more oily.
    • Shellfish: Flavors may vary from sweet and mild to salty & briny or subtly sweet and nutty.
    • In addition, taste can vary based on the location the seafood is caught or raised. For example, the same species of oyster can taste vastly different based on where it is raised.
  • Texture: From firm, meaty ahi tuna to flaky, delicate sole to tender scallops, consider the texture of the seafood you are selecting. Not all seafood will hold up to every method of cooking and knowing the texture of the seafood can help guide you to choosing the best option.
  • Sustainability: By prioritizing sustainable seafood, you can help protect marine ecosystems, support responsible fishing practices, and ensure that future generations can enjoy seafood as well. Seafood purveyors should be able to tell you about their sourcing practices and help you make informed decisions.
  • Seafood experience: For those new to eating seafood, you may want to opt for a mild white fish, such as cod. For more adventurous or seasoned seafoodies, bolder-flavored fish, such as bluefish, could be a good choice.
  • Farmed or wild-caught: This all comes down to your preferences. You may find that farmed seafood is milder and fattier while wild seafood has a more nuanced flavor profile due to diets. To learn more about the differences between wild and farmed seafood, read our blog Farm Raised vs. Wild Caught Seafood.

Where to Buy Seafood & How Much Should You Expect to Spend

Buying Seafood Online

Before purchasing seafood online, research the company, paying attention to its reputation and reviews from other customers. Prioritize well-established companies with a history of happy customers and good customer service. Look for vendors that offer a satisfaction guarantee, fair pricing, and prioritize sustainability in their sourcing practices. Consider delivery logistics, including shipping methods and schedules.

Buying Seafood In-Person

Like buying seafood online, you want to research the business ahead of time and read reviews from other customers. Once at the store, assess freshness based on appearance (no discoloration, firm flesh, clear, bright eyes), smell (it should smell like the ocean, not overly fishy), and sell-by dates. Don't hesitate to ask questions to ensure you are purchasing the best seafood.

To read even more tips about buying seafood and to buy from Fulton Fish Market in time for Thanksgiving, visit them HERE. 

SPECIAL OFFER FOR RELATED RESIDENTS

Lastly, we can offer readers a discount on caviar to round out their feast! See the offer below:

  • Enjoy a 2 oz Salmon or Trout Roe with your purchase of $150+ with code EATCAVIAR 
  • Expires 11/30/24 at 11:59pm ET

 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news, and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.