Top 10 Southern Soul Food Seafood Dishes

Southern Soul Food has provided comfort and sustenance to the community for generations. This legendary cuisine, bursting with flavorful ingredients like okra, cornmeal, collard greens, and pork — woven together using African cooking techniques — has roots in multiple cultures as far back as colonial times (French! Spanish! British!). Even today it is still a favorite among many who enjoy its hearty dishes full of soul-soothing goodness.

Check out our reviews of other seafood dishes from around the world.

With flavors that have endured centuries, Soul Food seafood dishes are a delicious testament to the history and resilience of our ancestors. Today these memorable meals continue to grace family tables across the South — with crab, shrimp, oysters, or crawfish among some delectable ingredients commonly used for their unique vibrancy! So next time you gather around your table — take an extra moment in appreciation of this wonderful culinary tradition rooted deep within us all.

So for the seafood lovers out there, these are my top 10 Southern Soul Food seafood dishes you have to try! Get ready for a delicious journey through the flavors of Soul Food.

1. Fried Catfish

Time to enjoy the classic Southern taste of Fried Catfish! This Soul Food staple is made with fresh-caught fish seasoned with garlic, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika; gently rolled in a cracker meal; and then fried in a cast iron skillet until crispy and golden brown. Looking for something a little more indulgent? Use lard or deep fry it instead — perfect if you are after an even heartier flavor experience!

Regardless of how it is cooked, this dish always pairs deliciously with hush puppies (a Southern cornmeal-based fried side dish), coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or french fries along with your favorite condiments like tartar sauce (yum!). Whether chowing down alone or savoring it with family and friends, one thing is sure — no seafood lover should miss out on trying delicious Fried Catfish!

2. Shrimp and Grits

What could be more comforting than a plate of classic Southern Soul Food? Shrimp and Grits have been delighting taste buds for centuries with their unique flavor profile. The crunchy shrimp, creamy grits, and savory bacon or sausage come together in perfect harmony to create an unforgettable experience.

Maybe that is why it is the go-to entrée at any seafood gathering! Whether you are looking for comfort food or something special that is sure to please your guests — make it Shrimp and Grits!

3. Blackened Tilapia

Blackened Tilapia is a delicious Soul Food seafood dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This popular meal consists of tilapia filets seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. These flavors combine to create a unique and savory taste that will make your mouth water!

The fish is coated in a thin layer of butter before being cooked in an extremely hot cast iron skillet until it is blackened and crispy. The result is a flavorful, flaky fish that will have your guests begging for more! Serve it alongside a bed of steamed vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes or some crispy french fries. Either way, Blackened Tilapia is an easy and delicious Soul Food dish that will surely be a hit!

4. Maryland-Style Crab Cakes

Satisfy your seafood cravings with this classic Soul Food dish — Maryland-Style Crab Cakes! Lump Maryland blue crab meat is delicately seasoned and formed into cakes, then pan-fried for an irresistibly crunchy exterior plus juicy inside. Spice it up or keep it mild — however you prepare them, these crave-worthy handmade creations will be sure to tantalize taste buds at any gathering.

Serve ’em up as an appetizer or entrée with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and other traditional Southern side dishes! Nothing quite beats that edgeless flavor of fresh wild Maryland crabs no matter how they are plated… How can you resist?

5. Salmon Croquette

Ready for an unforgettable Soul Food seafood feast? Try out mouthwatering Salmon Croquettes! This classic dish is made with wild-caught Atlantic salmon, expertly flavored with onion, red pepper, and Worcestershire sauce — all lightly coated in cornmeal before being fried to golden perfection.

Serve it up alongside potato pancakes, grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, and the creamy tartar sauce — guaranteed to please your friends and family every time!

6. Seafood Gumbo

Experience the warmth and soulful flavor of Seafood Gumbo — a classic Southern dish with roots in West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. Savor its hearty blend of onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, okra or filé powder (a gumbo thickener made from the dried and ground sassafras leaves), and a variety of seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters, clams, fish, or crawfish — all simmered together to create an unbelievably delicious broth!

Enjoy this delicious Soul Food dish alongside steamed white rice, crusty French bread or hot buttered biscuits, and cold beers. Get ready for a truly unforgettable meal that is sure to fend off those winter blues!

7. Crawfish Étouffée

For an unforgettable Southern Soul Food dining experience, try Crawfish Étouffée! This delectable seafood dish has an abundance of Cajun and Creole flavors. A unique medley of crawfish tails, buttery vegetables like onions, celery, and bell pepper plus herbs and spices come together to create a flavorful sauce.

Serve it over steamed white rice paired with succotash or collard greens and cold iced tea for the full Soul Food effect! Get your taste buds ready ’cause this one’s gonna be something special… you’ve got to give Crawfish Étouffée a whirl today!

8. Creole Jambalaya

Delight your taste buds with a classic Louisiana Creole Jambalaya dish! This Soul Food favorite is packed full of flavor from the herbs, spices, and savory mix of sausage, chicken, and shrimp simmered in a rich tomato-based Creole sauce. Sautéed onions, celery, and bell peppers form an aromatic base for this delightful one-pot meal that will leave you wanting more!

Serve it over steamed white rice with warm French bread and butter for an unforgettable Southern Soul Food experience!

9. Fried Oysters

Get ready for a flavor explosion of Soul Food! Fried Oysters are the perfect way to take any occasion from ordinary to extraordinary. With their crunchy texture and stellar taste, these crisp morsels will make your taste buds go wild. Start by having top-notch oysters — only then can you achieve that unbeatable combination of perfection! Coat them in seasoned cornmeal and fry until they are golden brown and crispy.

Serve ’em up piping hot with creamy remoulade sauce, tart lemon wedges, and some fiery hot sauce — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! If there are leftovers (I know, highly unlikely!), don’t forget to add them as an extra tasty topping on fish tacos or salad… the possibilities are endless when it comes to this delightful delicacy!

10. Seafood Boil

Seafood Boil is a classic Soul Food dish, brimming with flavor and guaranteed to bring folks together around the table! Start by boiling potatoes, carrots, and corn in a mixture of spices such as garlic, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Then add your choice of seafood like shrimp, lobster, crabs, mussels, and clams. Simmer it all together to get a vibrant and aromatic blend. Pile it all onto a brown paper covered table or large platter and let your guests dig in with their bare hands!

Serve it with warm, buttery French bread and cold drinks for the perfect Southern Soul Food feast! Not only is this dish full of scrumptious seafood, but it is also fun — an experience to be savored and remembered! So the next time you are looking for something a little different, give Seafood Boil a try — you won’t be disappointed!

Wrapping It Up

Soul Food is an iconic cuisine that dates back centuries, and its unique flavors and recipes have been passed down through generations. From Crawfish Étouffée to Fried Oysters, these classic dishes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and bring the fun of communal dining to any table.

Whether you are looking for a delicious Creole Jambalaya or a flavorful Seafood Boil, these dishes are the perfect way to experience the flavors of Southern Soul Food. So the next time you are looking for something special, try one of these classic dishes and take a tasty journey through the flavors of Soul Food!

Enjoy and y’all come back now!