10+ Seafood Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Seafood can be a tasty and healthy addition to your meals. There are many ways to prepare fish, shellfish, and other seafood that bring out their natural flavors.

You can easily find recipes that fit your taste and cooking skill level.

Whether you like quick, simple dishes or something a bit more special, seafood recipes offer variety for every occasion. You’ll discover options that work with fresh or canned seafood and different cooking methods like grilling, baking, or sautéing.

Ingredients for seafood recipes vary by dish but often include fish, shrimp, shellfish, seasoning, oil, and fresh herbs.

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the seafood by cleaning and cutting as needed.
2. Season the seafood with salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like.
3. Choose a cooking method such as grilling, baking (about 375°F/190°C), or sautéing.
4. Cook the seafood until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, usually 5 to 15 minutes depending on the type and size.
5. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

1) Crab-Stuffed Salmon

Crab-stuffed salmon lets you enjoy two kinds of seafood in one meal. You get the rich flavor of salmon wrapped around a savory crab filling.

This dish looks fancy but is simple to make at home. It works well for a special dinner.

Add lemon or butter sauce to brighten the flavors. It cooks quickly, usually under 40 minutes.

Grilling or baking the salmon works well.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets (about 16 oz each)
• 1 cup jumbo lump crab meat
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix crab meat, cream cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Cut a pocket in each salmon fillet.
4. Stuff each fillet with the crab mixture.
5. Heat butter or oil in a pan, sear salmon for 2-3 minutes on each side.
6. Transfer to oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.

2) Garlic Shrimp Gambas al Ajillo

Gambas al Ajillo is a Spanish dish with shrimp cooked in olive oil and garlic. Sauté shrimp in olive oil with thinly sliced garlic until they turn pink and tender.

The garlic flavor blends nicely with olive oil. You can add smoked paprika or a splash of sherry for extra flavor.

Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the garlic oil. This recipe takes about 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (120ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add sliced garlic and cook gently until golden, about 2 minutes.
3. Add shrimp and paprika, cook until shrimp turn pink, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Season with salt, stir well, and remove from heat.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve with bread.

3) Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter

Seared scallops with lemon butter is a quick and tasty dish. The scallops get a golden crust from searing, while the lemon butter sauce adds bright flavor.

You need only a few ingredients, and the process takes about 20 minutes. It works for a weeknight dinner or when you want to impress guests.

Dry your scallops before cooking so they sear properly. Use butter, lemon juice, and a bit of garlic to make the sauce.

This recipe is elegant and fast.

Ingredients

• 1 pound scallops, patted dry
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
3. Place scallops in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
4. Remove scallops and set aside.
5. Reduce heat to medium, add butter and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
6. Stir in lemon juice and pour sauce over scallops.
7. Serve immediately.

You can find a full recipe with tips here.

4) Fish Tacos with Cilantro Slaw

Fish tacos are a fresh way to enjoy seafood. Use white fish like cod or tilapia, grilled or pan-seared.

The fish is light and pairs well with cilantro slaw. The slaw uses shredded cabbage and cilantro with lime juice for a zesty kick.

This adds crunch and zing to your tacos. Warm the tortillas for the best texture.

You can make this dish in under 30 minutes. It’s simple and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or walleye)
• 4-6 small flour or corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 green onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook fish 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and cooked through.
4. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
5. Mix cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, and green onion to make the slaw.
6. Place fish in tortillas and top with cilantro slaw.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh fish tacos.

For more tips on fish tacos with cilantro lime slaw, see The Rustic Foodie’s recipe.

5) Clam Pasta in White Wine Sauce

Clam pasta in white wine sauce is a quick and tasty dish. Cook fresh clams with garlic and white wine for a light sauce.

The pasta soaks up all the flavors. Use linguine or spaghetti for this recipe.

The clams open as they cook and release juices that mix with butter and olive oil. Finish with fresh parsley.

This dish is easy to prepare in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Manilla or Little Neck clams
• ½ lb linguine pasta
• 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak clams in cold water for 20 minutes to clean.
2. Cook linguine according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in white wine and bring to a simmer.
6. Add clams, cover, and cook 5-7 minutes until clams open. Discard any unopened clams.
7. Stir in butter, salt, and pepper.
8. Toss cooked pasta with clam sauce.
9. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve warm.

6) One-Pot Miso-Turmeric Salmon

One-pot miso-turmeric salmon is simple and quick. The salmon cooks with coconut rice, giving a creamy texture and gentle sweetness.

Turmeric adds color and a mild earthy flavor that pairs well with miso. Cook everything in one pot for easy clean-up.

You can change the veggies or spices to fit what you have. This dish is versatile and easy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white jasmine rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon miso paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 4 salmon fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 scallions, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the jasmine rice until water runs clear.
2. In a large pot, combine rice, coconut milk, miso paste, and turmeric. Stir well.
3. Place salmon fillets on top of the rice mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for about 25 minutes until rice is tender and salmon is cooked through.
5. Sprinkle scallions over the top before serving.

7) Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a sweet and crunchy seafood dish. You get crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy honey-mayonnaise sauce.

The dish also features candied walnuts for crunch and extra sweetness. You can make this at home with just a few ingredients.

It’s great when you want something quick but a little fancy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 oz walnuts
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sugar and water, then cook to candy the walnuts. Set aside to cool.
2. Fry shrimp until golden and crispy. Drain excess oil.
3. Combine mayonnaise, honey, and salt to make the sauce.
4. Toss shrimp in the sauce.
5. Top with candied walnuts before serving.

For more details, see this Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe.

8) Roasted Fish with Leeks Vinaigrette

Roasting fish with leeks creates great flavors with little effort. The leeks soften and caramelize, adding sweetness to the fish.

A fresh vinaigrette of whole-grain mustard, parsley, shallots, and red wine vinegar adds a bright, tangy taste. This lifts the whole meal.

Roast the fish and leeks together in the oven for easy cleanup. Season the fish with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavors.

Ingredients

• Fish fillets (your choice)
• Leeks
• Whole-grain mustard
• Fresh parsley
• Shallots
• Red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cut leeks into matchsticks and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Season the fish with salt and pepper and set aside.
4. Roast the leeks until soft, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Add the fish to the baking sheet and roast for another 10-12 minutes.
6. Mix mustard, parsley, shallots, red wine vinegar, and olive oil for the vinaigrette.
7. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the fish and leeks before serving.

For more detailed guidance, check this roasted fish and leeks vinaigrette recipe.

9) Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai is a quick and tasty seafood dish. It combines shrimp with rice noodles and a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

You’ll enjoy the balance of fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a flavorful sauce. This dish cooks fast, usually within 15 minutes.

You can make it lighter or richer depending on your taste. Adding garlic butter to the shrimp gives a nice twist.

Try adding other seafood or tofu for variety. It’s a flexible dish for many preferences.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
• 3 tbsp tamarind paste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp butter (optional)
• Lime wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Add garlic and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 3 minutes.
4. Push shrimp to the side. Scramble eggs in the pan until cooked.
5. Add noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Toss everything together.
6. Stir in bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes more.
7. Remove from heat. Mix in butter if using, and top with crushed peanuts.
8. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

For more ideas and a recipe similar to this, you can check out this Shrimp Pad Thai recipe.

10) Baja Fish Tacos

Baja fish tacos are a simple and tasty seafood recipe. Start with firm white fish like cod or halibut.

Dip the fish in a light beer batter. Fry the fish until it turns crispy.

Serve the crispy fish in warm corn tortillas. Add crunchy cabbage slaw and smoky chipotle sauce for extra flavor.

You can also include avocado crema or pico de gallo. These toppings make the tacos fresh and bright.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb firm white fish (cod or halibut)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beer
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Corn tortillas
• Cabbage slaw
• Chipotle sauce or avocado crema

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix flour, beer, baking powder, salt, and pepper to make the beer batter.
2. Dip fish pieces into the batter.
3. Fry the fish in hot oil until golden and crispy.
4. Warm the corn tortillas.
5. Place fried fish in tortillas.
6. Top with cabbage slaw and sauce.
7. Serve right away.

For more details, check out Baja fish tacos recipes like this one from Mexican Please.