08/30/2026
4 Easy Labor Day Seafood Trays
These four seafood trays bring fresh summer flavor and easy serving to a Labor Day gathering. From lemon herb shrimp skewers and Chesapeake crab-stuffed mushrooms to Cajun foil packets and buttery lobster roll sliders, each recipe offers a different crowd-friendly option for the holiday table.
- LEMON HERB SHRIMP SKEWERS
Ingredients
1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving
Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to reduce burning.
Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Add the shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes. Do not marinate much longer because the lemon juice can affect the shrimp’s texture.
Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Thread 5–6 shrimp onto each skewer, piercing each shrimp near the head and tail.
Lightly oil the grill grates.
Arrange the skewers on the hot grill.
Cook for 2–3 minutes per side.
The shrimp are ready when they are pink, opaque, and curled into loose C shapes.
Transfer the skewers to a serving tray.
Garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Keep chilled until shortly before serving and do not leave the shrimp at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- CHESAPEAKE CRAB-STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Ingredients
20 large cremini mushrooms
8 ounces lump crabmeat, drained and checked for shells
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Olive oil spray, as needed
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wipe the mushrooms clean with a slightly damp paper towel.
Remove the stems and finely chop enough stems to measure approximately ½ cup.
Lightly spray the mushroom caps with olive oil.
Arrange them cavity-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, Old Bay seasoning, green onions, parsley, chopped mushroom stems, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
Gently fold in the lump crabmeat without breaking it apart too much.
Spoon the crab filling generously into each mushroom cap.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the stuffed mushrooms.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is hot.
Broil for 1–2 minutes if a more golden topping is desired. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Let the mushrooms rest for 5 minutes.
Arrange them on a serving tray and garnish with additional parsley or green onions.
Serve warm.
- CAJUN CORN AND SHRIMP FOIL PACKETS
Ingredients
1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 ears corn, each cut into 4 pieces
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges, for serving
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Instructions
Place the halved baby potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water.
Cover and microwave for 5–7 minutes, until the potatoes are beginning to soften but are not completely cooked.
Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool slightly.
Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat or an oven to 425°F.
Cut four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Divide the partially cooked potatoes, corn pieces, and bell pepper evenly among the foil sheets.
Drizzle the vegetables with approximately half of the Cajun butter mixture.
Fold the foil loosely over the vegetables and seal the packets.
Grill or bake the vegetable packets for 10 minutes.
Carefully open the packets, keeping your hands away from the hot steam.
Divide the shrimp among the packets.
Drizzle with the remaining Cajun butter.
Reseal the packets and cook for another 6–8 minutes.
The packets are ready when the potatoes are tender and the shrimp are pink and opaque.
Carefully open the packets and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Transfer the contents to a large serving tray or serve directly in the foil packets.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
- GARLIC BUTTER LOBSTER ROLL SLIDERS
Ingredients
1 pound cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-size pieces
12 slider rolls
½ cup unsalted butter, divided
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon thinly sliced green onions or chives
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Slice the slider rolls horizontally while keeping the individual rolls connected.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in a lightly greased baking dish.
Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add the lobster meat and cook gently for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed through.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, celery, mayonnaise, green onions, salt, and black pepper.
Divide the lobster mixture evenly over the bottom half of the slider rolls.
Place the top half of the rolls over the filling.
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
Stir the garlic powder into the melted butter.
Brush the seasoned butter evenly over the tops of the rolls.
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 3–5 minutes, until the rolls are warm and lightly golden.
Separate the sliders with a sharp knife.
Arrange them on a serving tray and garnish with additional parsley.
Serve warm with fresh lemon wedges.
Keep the lobster mixture refrigerated until assembly and do not leave the sliders at room temperature for more than 2 hours.