Seafood Brunch: Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cakes & Salmon
Seafood Brunch: Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cakes and Salmon Ideas
Plan a seafood brunch around how much cooking you want to do. Shrimp and grits make a hot main dish; crab cakes suit a plated brunch; prepared Nova lox works when you want to assemble something quickly. Start with one main dish and add fruit, vegetables or toast alongside it.
Browse Smoked Fish for prepared salmon, Shrimp for the grits recipe and Crab for crab cakes. Choose the preparation and quantity specified by the recipe.
Quick Option: A Salmon Breakfast Bowl
Combine cooked quinoa or rice with Hot-Smoked Sockeye Salmon, cucumber, avocado and lemon. For quantities and other salmon breakfasts, use our five salmon breakfast ideas.
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Shrimp and Grits
A Southern coastal classic that works equally well as a weeknight dinner or a weekend brunch centerpiece. The bacon adds a smoky flavor; for a version without bacon, use a little oil to cook the shrimp.
Serves: 2 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grits
- 2 cups whole milk + 2 cups water (or 4 cups water for a lighter version)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 oz sharp cheddar, grated (optional but recommended)
- 1 lb large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into lardons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Grits: Bring milk and water to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low; cook according to the package instructions, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy; timing varies with the type of grits. Stir in butter and cheddar (if using). Season with salt. Keep warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
Shrimp: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; leave the fat in the pan. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer; season with Cajun seasoning. Cook 90 seconds per side until pink and just opaque — do not overcook (shrimp toughen quickly). Remove shrimp. Reduce heat to medium; add garlic and white parts of green onion; cook 60 seconds. Add lemon juice; scrape up any browned bits.
Serve: Spoon grits into bowls. Top with shrimp, bacon, and the pan sauce. Garnish with green onion tops.
Crab Cake Benedict
The most indulgent option in this collection and a legitimate brunch showstopper. Homemade crab cakes are straightforward; store-bought works if time is short. The hollandaise is the only technically demanding component and can be made 15–20 minutes ahead if held warm.
Serves: 2 | Prep: 15 min | Cook: 15 min
Quick crab cakes (makes 4):
- 8 oz cooked crab meat, drained and picked for shell
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
Gently fold all ingredients together — do not overmix or the crab will shred. Form into 4 cakes. Refrigerate 15 minutes to firm. Pan-fry in 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter over medium-high heat, 3–4 min per side until deep golden brown. Hold warm in a 200°F oven while you poach eggs.
Hollandaise: Use a prepared hollandaise sauce, heated and handled according to its package directions, or a tested cooked-sauce recipe. Have the sauce ready when the crab cakes and eggs are finished.
Assembly: Toast 2 English muffins. Place a crab cake on each muffin half. Top with a poached egg. Drizzle generously with hollandaise. Garnish with fresh chives.
Wine pairing: A glass of dry sparkling wine (Cava, Crémant, or Champagne) is the classic brunch match for hollandaise and crab.
No-Fuss Option: A Nova Lox Bagel
For thin slices on a bagel, choose Coho Salmon Nova Lox or Sockeye Salmon Sugar-Free Nova Lox. Add cream cheese, onion and capers to taste. The full bagel idea is in our salmon breakfast guide.
For a smaller appetizer format, try our smoked salmon crackers and cucumber bites. See Lox vs. Smoked Salmon if you are choosing between slices and flakes.
Plan the Preparation
Check the selected seafood's thawing and storage instructions before brunch day. Keep perishable ingredients refrigerated until needed. Cook the grits first, then prepare the shrimp close to serving. Assemble bagels at the table or just before eating so the bread keeps its texture.
Ingredient Substitutions
For a dairy-free version, use water in the grits, omit the cheese, and replace butter and cream cheese with suitable dairy-free alternatives. Clarified butter is still a dairy ingredient. For gluten-free dishes, check the grits, breadcrumbs, bagels, sauces and seasonings individually.
Find other meal options in the main Fish collection.
Choose shrimp for this recipe
For steps that cook raw shrimp, use Mexican blue shrimp or prepared spot prawns. If using fully cooked Pacific shrimp meat, thaw as directed and add near the end instead of repeating the raw-shrimp cooking step. Timing depends on size and preparation; cook raw shrimp through until the flesh is firm, pearly and opaque.
Compare product forms and current availability in Shrimp & Prawns.
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