Experience the simplicity and flavor of a Grilled New England Seafood Bake.

The Magic of Foil Packet Cooking: Flavor, Convenience, and Easy Cleanup

One of the true beauties of this seafood bake lies in its preparation method: foil packets. This technique isn’t just a nostalgic nod to backyard barbecues; it’s a culinary hack that delivers incredible results with minimal effort. Cooking in foil packets creates a steaming environment that locks in moisture and infuses every ingredient with the aromatic goodness of herbs, garlic, and lemon. The seafood remains incredibly tender and juicy, while the potatoes become perfectly soft.

Beyond the fantastic flavor and texture, foil packet cooking offers unparalleled convenience. Cleanup is a breeze – simply discard the foil, and your pans remain spotless. This makes it an ideal option for busy weeknights, camping trips, or any occasion where you want to enjoy a gourmet meal without the dreaded aftermath of washing countless dishes. It’s also incredibly versatile; you can easily customize each packet to suit individual preferences or dietary needs.

Fresh ingredients ready for assembly into flavor-packed foil packets.

Crafting Your Perfect Seafood Packet: Ingredients and Preparation

The success of any great dish often boils down to the quality of its ingredients, and this seafood bake is no exception. While we’ve adapted to using frozen options, always aim for the best quality fish and shrimp you can find. For the white fish, varieties like cod, halibut, or flounder work beautifully, offering a delicate texture that cooks perfectly in the foil packet. If using frozen fish, ensure it’s fully thawed and patted dry to prevent excess moisture.

The shrimp should be raw, peeled, and deveined. Medium to large shrimp are ideal, as they cook quickly and remain succulent. Beyond the seafood, the supporting cast of ingredients is equally important:

• Red Potatoes: Thinly sliced red potatoes are a must. Their waxy texture holds up well to steaming and they absorb all the delicious flavors from the seafood and butter. Slicing them thin ensures they cook thoroughly in the same amount of time as the fish and shrimp.
• Aromatic Butter Mixture: This is where the magic happens! Softened butter, finely chopped fresh dill, and minced garlic create an incredibly fragrant and savory base. Dill’s bright, slightly anise-like flavor pairs exceptionally well with seafood, while garlic adds a pungent warmth. Seasoning this mixture with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper elevates the overall taste.
• Fresh Lemon: Both juice and slices are essential. A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the seafood brightens the flavors and helps to tenderize the fish. Lemon slices placed directly into the packet infuse a gentle citrusy aroma as they cook.

Assembling the packets is straightforward. Simply layer your thinly sliced potatoes on one half of a heavy-duty aluminum foil rectangle, followed by a piece of white fish, and then a handful of raw shrimp. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, season generously with salt and pepper, and then add dollops of your aromatic dill-garlic butter mixture. Finish with a lemon slice on top, then carefully fold and crimp the edges of the foil to create a tightly sealed packet. This ensures no precious steam or flavor escapes.

Foil packets ready for grilling, promising a delicious seafood dinner.

Grilling to Perfection: Tips for a Flawless Finish

While this dish can certainly be baked in the oven, grilling adds an incredible smoky depth of flavor that truly elevates the “New England bake” experience. Preheat your grill to a medium heat. Place the sealed foil packets directly on the grates, ensuring the potato layer is at the bottom. Cook for approximately 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the packets occasionally but avoiding flipping them. The goal is to allow the contents to steam evenly and for the potatoes to become tender without burning the delicate seafood.

You’ll know the seafood bake is ready when the fish is opaque and flakes easily, and the shrimp have turned pink and curled. The potatoes should be fork-tender. While your seafood bakes, prepare your complementary sides. We love to boil fresh corn on the cob until it’s perfectly tender and warm some crusty bread rolls in the oven. The simplicity of these sides perfectly balances the rich flavors of the seafood.

The delicious reveal: perfectly cooked seafood bake straight from the grill.

Serving Suggestions and Flavor Variations

Once cooked, carefully remove the packets from the grill. Be mindful of the hot steam escaping as you slit them open. You can serve the contents directly from the foil packets, which adds to the rustic charm and keeps cleanup to a minimum, or transfer them to individual serving bowls. Pair your seafood bake with the boiled corn and warm rolls, and don’t forget an icy-cold beverage to complete the meal – perhaps a crisp white wine or a refreshing iced tea.

For those looking to experiment, this recipe is highly adaptable. Consider these delicious variations:

• Herb Alternatives: Instead of dill, try fresh parsley, chives, or a mix of both. A touch of fresh thyme can also be wonderful.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a subtle kick, or a dash of Old Bay seasoning for a classic seafood flavor.
• Vegetable Additions: Include other quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, thin slices of bell peppers, or even a few handfuls of spinach (add spinach during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent it from getting too soggy).
• Different Fish: While white fish is classic, you could experiment with salmon or even scallops for a different texture and flavor profile. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
• Sauce on the Side: A simple homemade tartar sauce or a fresh salsa verde would be excellent accompaniments.

A complete and satisfying meal, embodying the spirit of New England comfort.

A Taste of New England, Wherever You Are

This Grilled New England Seafood Bake has truly become a cherished staple in our household, especially during the warmer months. Its simplicity, combined with its incredibly fresh and satisfying flavors, makes it a recipe we’ll undoubtedly carry with us wherever life takes us. It’s a wonderful way to bring a piece of New England’s rich culinary tradition to any table, no matter where you reside. We encourage you to try it and make it your own family favorite!

Grilled New England Seafood Bake

Yield:
4 servings (1 packet each)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter, room temperature
• 2 ½ tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 medium red potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced (about ¼-inch thick)
• 1 pound skinless white fish, such as cod, halibut, or flounder, cut into four equal pieces
• 20-25 raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, and deveined
• 2 lemons, juiced (about ¼ cup), plus 2 lemons cut into thin slices for packets
• 2 ears of corn, rinsed and halved

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium heat. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, finely chopped fresh dill, and minced garlic. Season the mixture generously with coarse salt and ground pepper. Set aside.
2. Prepare four 14-inch squares of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Fold each square in half to create four rectangles. To assemble each packet: On one half of each foil piece, arrange ¼ of the thinly sliced potatoes in a single layer. Top the potatoes with one piece of white fish, then ¼ of the raw shrimp.
3. Drizzle each packet’s contents with fresh lemon juice. Cut the squeezed lemons (or fresh ones) into thin slices and add two slices to each packet. Season generously with additional salt and pepper.
4. Place three small dollops of the prepared dill-garlic butter mixture into each packet. Carefully fold the other half of the foil over the ingredients and crimp the edges tightly to create a secure seal, ensuring no steam can escape.
5. Set a medium-sized pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add the halved corn on the cob and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until tender.
6. Place the sealed foil packets on the preheated grill, with the potato layer facing down. Cook, rotating the packets occasionally (but do not flip them), until the fish is opaque and cooked through, and the potatoes are tender, approximately 12 to 14 minutes.
7. Carefully remove the packets from the grill. Using a knife or scissors, slit open the top of each packet, being cautious of the hot steam that will escape. Transfer the contents to serving bowls, or serve directly from the foil.
8. Serve the Grilled New England Seafood Bake with the boiled corn and warm bread rolls with extra butter. Enjoy your delicious homemade meal!

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