Creamy Seafood Mix Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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This 15-minute recipe makes an easy, quick, delicious meal out of frozen seafood mix.

The creamy sauce is made with heavy cream, garlic, and parmesan. It's delicious. Your only task as a chef is to avoid overcooking the dish!

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I have quite a few fish and seafood recipes on this site, but I am always on the lookout for more interesting recipes. This one is a keeper - it's so easy to make and it's delicious.

If you happen to have a bag or two of frozen seafood mix in your freezer (mine came from Trader Joe's), this recipe is a great way to turn them into an easy, delicious meal. We had it for lunch this weekend with steamed broccoli and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Perfection!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations and substitutions
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Frozen seafood mix: The one I like to use has shrimp, calamari rings, and bay scallops. I get it at Trader Joe's:

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Butter: I love Kerrygold butter, but any butter will work.

Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the dish could end up too salty

Minced garlic: Please use freshly minced garlic cloves. The garlic is very important here and jarred minced garlic won't be the same.

Heavy cream and parmesan: These are the creamy ingredients that make the amazing sauce. Make sure to use dry-grated parmesan and not coarsely shredded.

Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch to add a subtle hint of spice. You can skip it if you wish.

Parsley: Used purely for garnish. You can skip it if you wish.

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Instructions

Making this seafood mix recipe is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

Defrost: Place the frozen seafood in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cool water. Allow it to defrost for about 5 minutes, stirring gently to separate the pieces, and replacing the water once during the process. Place the pieces on a clean kitchen towel or on paper towels to dry.

Saute: Season the seafood with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add the seafood and cook just until opaque, about 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it, or it could become tough and gummy. Remove to a plate, drain the skillet and wipe it dry.

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Make the sauce: In the same skillet, cook garlic over medium heat. Add the cream, cayenne, and more salt and pepper. Then add the parmesan, stirring until it melts. You now have a beautiful creamy sauce.

Finish the dish: Add the seafood back to the skillet and stir it into the sauce. Serve the dish garnished with chopped parsley.

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Expert tip

In a previous version of this recipe, I used to simply sauté the seafood in olive oil and spices. But I have found that it releases quite a bit of water into the skillet, so that it ends up steaming rather than sautéing, and some of the spices are lost in the liquids released into the pan.

So now my favorite method is to sauté it in some butter, drain the liquids, then make a quick cream-parmesan sauce and add the seafood to the creamy sauce. This is AMAZING. So delicate and creamy as long as you take care not to overcook it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cook frozen seafood without defrosting?

Generally, the answer is yes, though you'll need to cook it for a longer time and ensure it's fully cooked.

But in this particular recipe, I do recommend that you defrost it first. Otherwise, the pieces won’t cook uniformly.

What is the best way to cook seafood?

There's no one way! This recipe uses sauteing as its cooking method, but I also have recipes that use baking, such as baked shrimp. Broiling is also good - check out this recipe for broiled scallops.

How can I incorporate more seafood into my diet?

I find that one of the easiest ways to do that is to keep frozen fish and seafood in the freezer.Whether a mix such as the one used here, bags of shrimp, scallops, or salmon fillets, it's a convenient way to always have it available.

Variations and substitutions

I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

  • You can use olive oil instead of butter. I must admit, though, butter tastes really good in this recipe!
  • Change up the spices you use. A pinch of dried thyme is very good in this recipe.
  • You can sprinkle the finished dish with bacon bits prior to serving it.

Serving suggestions

This is a saucy dish, so it's perfect on top of cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash noodles.

I also like to serve it on top of raw spinach or arugula leaves. The warm sauce wilts the leaves just enough to very lightly cook them.

Storing leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them very gently, though. It's best to use the microwave on 50% power and to reheat them covered.

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  • Baked Scallops
  • Shrimp Scampi
  • Fish Stew
  • Shrimp Salad

Recipe Card

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4.98 from 962 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Seafood Mix In Cream Sauce

This 15-minute recipe makes an easy, quick, delicious meal, perfect for using that frozen bag of seafood mix.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 476kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 lb. frozen seafood mix thawed*
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt divided
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper divided
  • 4 garlic cloves minced**
  • 6 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese dry-grated
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the seafood with half the kosher salt and black pepper.

  • When the butter starts foaming, add the seafood to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until just cooked through and no longer translucent, about 3 minutes.

  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the seafood to a plate, cover with foil, and set aside.

  • Pour the liquids out of the skillet, wipe it clean with paper towels (careful, it’s hot), and add the remaining butter. Reduce the heat to medium.

  • When the butter starts foaming, add the garlic to the skillet. Sauté, stirring, until fragrant, 30-60 seconds, depending on how hot your skillet is.

  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cream, the cayenne pepper, and the remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring. This should take about 1 minute.

  • Add the Parmesan cheese and gently stir until melted, about 30 seconds.

  • Add the seafood back to the skillet. Gently stir to combine with the sauce and to reheat, about 1 more minute. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

*While you can theoretically cook the seafood from frozen (though it will take longer and won't cook as evenly), I prefer to thaw it first, either overnight in the fridge, or by submerging it in a bowl of cool water for 5 minutes, replacing the water once, then drying the pieces on paper towels.

**Please use freshly minced garlic cloves. The garlic is very important here and jarred minced garlic won't be the same.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Sodium: 902mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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Creamy Seafood Mix Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is seafood mix healthy? ›

The answer is a resounding yes. Most types of seafood are a great addition to your diet and come with tons of good-for-you vitamins and minerals. Decades of research support regularly consuming well-sourced seafood of all types, says Erica Zellner, a health coach at Parsley Health in California.

What is the best way to cook frozen seafood mix? ›

You can boil your medley either in a sauce or water. For our Seafood Medley, we recommend: 4 cups of boiling water for every one bag. Once you've submerged the mix in boiling water, immediately reduce the heat to low and let simmer uncovered for about one minute.

What is in the seafood mix? ›

Ingredients: Blanched squid, cooked mussels, surimi (fish [pollock or threadfin bream], potato-starch, soy protein, natural crab extract, salt, sugar, artificial flavor, carmine paprika [for color]), blanched shrimp.

Can you cook frozen seafood mix without defrosting? ›

Seafood can also be cooked directly from frozen, but may require twice as much cooking time. No matter the method, all seafood should be cooked to 145°F according to the FDA. While frozen lobster meat and tails can be cooked from frozen, you get better results—more tender lobster—by thawing prior to cooking.

What is the healthiest seafood you can eat? ›

7 Healthiest Fish to Eat, According to Experts
  1. Sardines. “Sardines are one of the healthiest fish to eat because they're very high in omega-3s,” says Gomer. ...
  2. Mackerel. Mackerel is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, says Sauceda. ...
  3. Anchovies. ...
  4. Salmon. ...
  5. Herring. ...
  6. Trout. ...
  7. Tuna.
Mar 28, 2024

Is it OK to eat fish and seafood everyday? ›

For most individuals it's fine to eat fish every day,” says Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, in an August 30, 2015 article on Today.com, adding that “it's certainly better to eat fish every day than to eat beef every day.”

How do you make frozen seafood taste good? ›

Brush both sides of frozen fish with olive, canola, peanut or grapeseed oil. Place fish in heated pan and cook, uncovered, about 3 minutes, until browned. Turn fish over, season with spices, and cover the skillet tightly. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 6 to 8 minutes more until opaque throughout.

Should you rinse frozen seafood? ›

Give your frozen fish a quick rinse and thorough drying

This will remove the thin layer of ice crystals on the outside of the filet that would otherwise prevent the outside from browning. Once you rinse them, make sure to thoroughly dry them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

Should I wash frozen seafood before cooking? ›

No. Rinsing does not get rid of any bacteria. Rinsing can actually cause bacteria to spread if he water that touches the fish splashes out of the sink. Now if you see obvious debree that may cause you to rinse, but should you do this to fish meat or poultry, do it gently.

Why can't you mix seafood and dairy? ›

Scientifically speaking, there is no reason why we should avoid eating fish and dairy together. And you can find many recipes that incorporate both together, like baked fish with a cream-based sauce.

What is in frozen seafood mix? ›

Ingredients. Squid, Cooked Mussels, Octopus, Shrimp, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate (For Moisture Retention).

Which ingredients are seafood best match with? ›

The best ingredients to use when cooking seafood include fresh herbs like parsley and dill, citrus fruits such as lemon or lime for a burst of freshness, and complementary seasonings like garlic, butter, and olive oil to enhance the natural flavors of the seafood.

Is frozen seafood mix safe? ›

Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage. For best quality, freeze (0 °F / -17.8 °C or less) cooked fish for up to 3 months. Frozen raw fish is best used within 3 to 8 months; shellfish, 3 to 12 months.

What seafood can you cook from frozen? ›

Cooking from Frozen

The other option for cooking with frozen seafood is to simply start cooking it without thawing. This is common for shrimp and calamari, but works just as well for fish fillets. Rinse the seafood to get rid of any surface ice, then pat it dry with a paper towel and cook it as you would from fresh.

How do you know when seafood mix is cooked? ›

Most frozen seafood medleys only need 5-7 minutes of cooking time. Overcooking can result in a rubbery texture and loss of flavor. Test for doneness: To check if the seafood is done, look for opaque flesh and firm texture.

What are the benefits of seafood mix? ›

Seafood includes vital nutrients needed for health and wellness at all ages, including omega-3s, iron, B and D vitamins, and protein. Fish and shellfish supply the nutrients, vitamins and omega 3s essential for strong bones, brain development, and healthy heart and immune system.

Is it healthy to eat canned seafood? ›

Canned fish is loaded with nutrients; it is protein-dense and provides beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Canned fatty fish, like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines are also a source of vitamin D, vitamin B12, choline, iron, and iodine. Canned sardines and salmon with the bones provide calcium.

Are frozen seafood healthy? ›

Freezing is a natural preservation process which does not require the use of additional preservatives. Vitamins and minerals are 'locked in' through freezing, while fats, proteins and carbohydrates are unaffected. Therefore, frozen fish is a real alternative to fresh fish, that's just as good nutritionally.

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