30+ Quick and Easy Seafood Recipes For Your Simple Meal 2023

What should you prepare for dinner with seafood without using too much time and effort? I have rounded up 33 quick and easy seafood recipes here! They are in the best form of simplicity to ensure that everyone can whip up, even beginners.

There are plenty of seafood species in the world, and they are all rich sources of omega-3, lean protein, and other health benefits. Therefore, adding them to your diet is always a good solution to improve your health.

And these recipes have all characteristics to deliver indulgent, healthy, and simple-to-prepare dishes. So do not go anywhere. Relax, sit tight, and scroll down the page for more details!

1. Long John Silver’s Fish Batter

Total time: 20 minutes.

Long John Silver’s is a well-known American fast-food restaurant chain, thanks to its fish batter. Many have loved this dish’s crunchy exterior and juicy cod fish inside. And now, you can replicate this recipe at home with my instructions.

First, you need to prepare all ingredients. Aside from familiar ones like fresh cod filets, corn starch, and all-purpose flour, the secret behind this fish batter is using club soda. It provides a light and fluffy texture for your coating and also helps it rise easier.

When frying, don’t try to cook all cod filets at once. They’ll overlap and reduce the oil temperature, leading to a greasy result. Also, a decent-sized filet (about 3 oz) is more suitable for this recipe than those larger ones, as it can float when frying.

2. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Total time: 15 minutes.

Fajitas – a famous Tex-Mex specialty traditionally comprises stripped meat and veggies, but replacing the meat part with shrimp is not a bad idea at all. This easy idea shines with pepper in different colors, red onion, and shrimp, of course.

Besides, this treat is full of flavors thanks to various seasonings, like coriander, cumin, and other flavored seasonings. Bake your shrimp-based dish for around 10 minutes. Do not overcook shrimps to avoid rubbery ones.

Like the original version, enjoying your shrimp Fajitas with tortillas is the best option, but there are more tasty options paired with Fajitas. If desired, top your Fajitas with chopped cilantro for garnishing.

3. Baked Pesto Salmon

Total time: 20 minutes.

The combo of pesto and salmon has always been a classy treat for a light and easy dinner. With a minimum prep, this oven-baked pesto salmon is such a great idea for busy people.

There is nothing much to prepare, so you should highlight the quality of the salmon. It must be fresh and good in quality with light orange color. Moreover, homemade pesto sauce is also simple to follow if you have a food processor. If not, store-bought pesto is an acceptable replacement.

When baking salmon, you should keep the skin on because it can protect the flesh and prevent overcooking. Therefore, your salmon can turn out moist and flaky.

A brilliant recipe to treat yourself after a long day is this baked pesto salmon.

4. Keto Tuna Poke Bowl

Total time: 15 minutes.

If you do not mind eating fresh tuna, this Hawaiian-based dish will lure you in from the first try. It is a no-cooking dish so you can quickly throw it together in only 15 minutes.

In Hawaiian, poke means “to slice” to refer to dicing preparation. Thus, all you need to do in this recipe is dice your fish into smaller cubes. Use sashimi-labeled fish for the best tuna poke bowl.

This treat normally goes with a bed of rice, but as a keto dish, cucumber, carrot, salad leaves, etc., are an amazing low-carb alternative. Actually, you can use any veggie you like, as long as it is compatible with a keto diet.

The last step is to assemble the bowl. Tuna should be on the top and in the center for more attractiveness, and drizzle chili mayo or any marinade before consuming. Now you have a colorful, fresh, and light dish to enjoy!

5. Fish Tacos With Cilantro Lime Slaw In Air Fryer

Total time: 15 minutes.

What should you do for an uncomplicated taco night? Here is a brilliant treat that you can pull off in around 15 minutes. What’s better, you can opt for any white fish you like, such as cod, tilapia, or mahi-mahi.

In this circumstance, I choose tilapia as it is a budget-friendly fish and can go well with many spices. If spicy food is not your favorite, just reduce the cayenne ratio. Additionally, a little bit of oil is perfect for keeping the fish moist.

The frying time might vary depending on the thickness of the fish. If they are opaque and flaky, your food is ready to go. On the other hand, cilantro lime slaw is also a hit to ensure your tacos are filled with textures from fresh ingredients.

6. Shrimp Cocktail

Total time: 15 minutes.

What is an excellent appetizer that will not ask for too much preparation? My ultimate answer is a shrimp cocktail. This is also many people’s favorite starter served cold because it allows you to prepare ahead of time.

The main star here, besides shrimp, is the cocktail sauce. With only 2 ingredients as ketchup and horseradish, the sauce is so simple to whip up. You can add lemon juice, or other sauces to perk up the flavor if you want. The sauce can be prepared 4 to 5 days in advance as well.

Preparing and cooking the shrimp is also important. You should devein your seafood first and poach them in a few minutes based on the shrimp volume.

Once they turn into a vibrant opaque white-pinkish, your shrimps are done. Lastly, transfer them to an ice water bowl so they can be firmer in texture.

7. Lemon Herb Butter Baked Cod

Total time: 20 minutes.

Lemon herb butter is a classic yet outstanding sauce to dress up your cod and turn them into a delectable dish, even for non-fish lovers.

There is no difficulty in making this treat. But as a delicate fish, overcooking cod is a big no-no. Hence, you should bake them for 15 to 20 minutes until opaque.

Besides the sauce, a few cherry tomatoes and lemon wedges are essential to make your fish dish more delicious. Finally, you can enjoy it with rice, pasta, or a couple of bread slices as these accompaniments can absorb the sauce excellently.

8. Quick Clam Chowder

Total time: 10 minutes.

Clam is a wonderful creature offering high levels of vitamin B12, iron, omega-3, and more nutrients. That’s why adding them to your diet is essential. And this clam chowder is one of the best examples.

This creamy dish is an American-origin dish with various styles. People typically enjoy clam chowder with various accompaniments, such as crackers, bread, or vegetables. However, I think it is already tasty on its own.

Clam chowder normally asks for more than 30 minutes to cook, but here is a speedy recipe. And the secret lies in the canned chopped clams.

I also use 2 types of cream soup to make a double-creamy chowder. By combining and cooking all ingredients together, your dish only takes 10 minutes from the beginning to finish.

Creamy and bold in flavor; why don’t you try to make this clam chowder tonight?

9. Lemon Garlic Pasta With Shrimp And Scallops

Total time: 25 minutes.

Grab some shrimp, scallops, pasta, lemon, and garlic, and we are in business. Not only do I want a tasty seafood treat, but I also want something easy. And this pasta dish has never failed me once.

Aromatic, quick, and flavorful, pasta with scallops and shrimp can brighten your day effortlessly. For the best result, you should pick dry sea scallops to sear them easily.  I highly recommend using fresh seafood to fully enjoy its light sweetness.

The cooking times for shrimp and scallops are different; hence, it would be better to cook them separately before combining them with pasta and sauce. Finally, topping your pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese is desirable.

10. Steamed Mussels In Tomato Sauce

Total time: 30 minutes.

Preparing a bowl of hot mussels bathed in tangy tomato sauce cannot get easier. There are also plenty of ideas to serve with mussels. They can be small side dishes with fries or bread. Or if you want to transform it into the main course, serving it with cooked pasta is wonderful.

However, the top priority here is to ensure the mussels are fresh and high-quality. But how to shop for the perfect ones?

If they are fresh and alive, the shells should be closed. So please avoid those with wide-opened shells. Fresh mussels do not have a strong fishy smell either. Cleaning them is not too challenging, but it might take a bit of time to debeard, wash, and drain.

Once the ingredients are ready, you need to make the sauce first. Slowly simmer it, allowing these components to blend in flavor, then add cleaned mussel to cook until their shells are open. If there is any unopened mussel, throwing it away is a must

11. Mango Pineapple Shrimp Salad

Total time: Less than 20 minutes.

A summer party will be more enjoyable with this mango pineapple shrimp salad. Indeed, this delicacy has never failed anyone due to its lightness and refreshing with full of tropical vibes.

Fresh mango, pineapple, and avocado, all together create a colorful and healthy salad. In case you cannot buy fresh fruits, you can use frozen ones, but remember to thaw and drain them before mixing them with other foods.

The ingredients in this recipe, in fact, are pretty flexible as you can use your favorite seasonings or ratio based on your preference. Anyway, they are best enjoyed with tortilla chips, so do not forget to prepare this side order.

12. Creamy Seafood Stew

Total time: 25 minutes.

When the weather gets cooler, nothing is better than a bowl of hot stew. With this seafood stew, you can feel the creaminess of coconut milk and the mild sweetness of seafood. This is also a rich-seasoned stew to satisfy your taste buds.

Regarding the seafood, I use cod and Jumbo shrimp to create an inexpensive meal. But why cod? This fish has a firm texture so it will not fall apart during the cooking. If you do not like cod, red snapper or haddock is a good alternative. Or you can use 2 types of fish if desired.

For a speedy recipe, an instant pot is a great friend. Either way, you can only add the coconut milk after turning off the heat. If you pour it when cooking, the milk can cause curd, and the soup will not come out as creamy as expected.

13. Instant-pot Spanish Paella

Total time: 30 minutes.

Paella is an authentic Spanish dish with seafood that steals many diners’ hearts all over the world, including me. So why don’t you try to make this delicacy this weekend? It will not take a whole day to cook since this is an instant-pot version.

In fact, a classic Paella includes rice, meat, green beans, saffron, etc., but I swap the meat for shrimp to have a hearty seafood treat. Of course, it does not compromise any deliciousness. Some of you might even like this recipe more.

Furthermore, it might require various components, and saffron is not an inexpensive item. But if you need a better cost-effective ingredient, you can use turmeric instead of saffron to add a nice yellow color to this rice dish.

Regarding the shrimp, the best varieties to make Paella are Tiger, Colossal, or Jumbo shrimp. The cooking part is also straightforward because the cookware will take care of it. You do not have to cook the rice in advance either.

A flawless Paella is not too hard to prepare with this instruction.

14. Pan-seared Cod With Tomato Basil Sauce

Total time: 30 minutes.

The combination of tomato and basil is a widely-used mixture in Italian cuisine. And adding it to your favorite fish – cod is one of the best tricks to make the fish shine on the dining table.

In order to prepare the sauce, you need to prepare white wine, garlic, and pepper flakes as well to perk the overall flavor. Cook cod and the sauce separately, but you can use the same skillet to do it.

Cook each side of cod and carefully flip them until both sides have a golden brown color. At the last 5 minutes, you should transfer your skillet into the oven for finishing and achieving an evenly cooking.

15. Chickpea Tuna Salad

Total time: 10 minutes.

Salad with tuna is my go-to recipe to use up leftover fish. But this one is not a normal salad with greens; it is a chickpea salad to aid your weight management, improve the daily value of fiber, and reduce the risks of several illnesses.

For easier and quicker, I use canned chickpea. They are still tasty so you do not have to worry about their quality. Moreover, if there is no leftover fish, you can choose canned tuna, like this recipe. But make sure they are drained well before mixing with other ingredients.

The dressing’s richness also plays a key role in making your salad more delicious. Not a big fan of mayo? No problem, just swap it for Greek yogurt. If you want to add a bit of spicy note to the salad, hot sauce is a perfect candidate.

16. Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Total time: 30 minutes.

Gumbo is a hearty soup originating in Louisiana comprising various ingredients, like shellfish or meat, stock, vegetables, and others. And traditionally, gumbo is an ideal crockpot recipe to cook with seafood.

But for a quicker version, using your instant pot to prepare this meal is more convenient. With around 25-minute cooking, this idea can deliver a whole30 and paleo meal with tons of flavors and textures.

But please be careful when using this cookware, especially when you release the pressure manually. Serving your gumbo hot with rice or cauliflower rice. And that is how to have a pleasant dinner on a cold winter day.

Quick fact: Gumbo is an official cuisine of Louisiana state.

17. Sheet Pan Tuna Melts

Total time: 25 minutes.

Whether it is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, tuna melt will thrill you. That’s right; this gooey and melt-in-your-mouth dish is a no-mess recipe without using any fancy components. Actually, some of them might already be in your fridge or in the cabinet.

You can use any brand of canned tuna that you want and mix it with chopped veggies, mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings. To assemble the sandwich, you should start with a scoop of tuna salad, then tomatoes, red onion, and cheese, respectively.

Then place them on the baking sheet and bake them for around 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the sandwich turns golden. That’s it!

18. Shrimp Pad Thai

Total time: 30 minutes.

When traveling to Thailand, do not miss the classic Thai specialty – Pad Thai. It is a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and savory flavor in one dish that makes your taste bud sing.

The protein component in Pad thai varies. It could be chicken, pork, beef, or seafood. So if you love the slight sweetness of shrimp, this cooking idea is a must-try one. Juicy shrimp paired with the sauce and noodles will be a hit on your table for sure.

It might be better than takeout as you can customize or adjust the ingredient based on your liking. Make sure you toss the component well so their flavors can mingle.

Step away from any takeout Pad Thai because this cooking tutorial will show you how to cook an ultimate one.

19. Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna

Total time: 10 minutes.

Another couldn’t-be-easier delicacy to impress others is sesame crusted seared tuna. With a few ingredients and only 10 minutes in total, this is truly a delightful and refreshing meal this summer.

The key component, obviously, is tuna. Opt for saku tuna, which means a block of yellowfin tuna without skin and bone that people usually use for making sushi or salad. Overall, it is a sushi-grade tuna; hence, its quality is unquestionable.

However, this tuna style is typically available in frozen form; you need to thaw it overnight and pat dry them before coating your food with spice crust.

Please also note that the result is not a well-done tuna. This seared dish supposes to be rare inside with a stunning pink hue and buttery texture. And thanks to the spice crust mixture, the outside of your fish is sweet and slightly crunchy.

20. Lemon Pepper Scallops

Total time: Around 10 minutes.

Here is another oh-so-tasty scallop recipe that you should not miss out – lemon pepper scallops. This low-carb dish comes together in around 10 minutes in an air fryer. And the best part is it only needs 5 ingredients to prepare.

You can serve this dish as a main course, snack, or appetizer. Additionally, there are several side options to go with scallops to diversify your meal.

Scallops are mildly sweet seafood that can blend well with seasonings. With lemon pepper, paprika, and butter, you will be feasting on flavorful fried scallops. But please check their doneness carefully to avoid any unexpected food poisoning.

Cooked scallops will turn into an opaque white color and firm. If possible, buy a thermometer to check their internal temperature (ideally at 125 to 130 F degrees).

21. Southern Fried Catfish

Total time: Approximately 20 minutes.

Fried catfish is a popular food in Southern cooking. And its simplicity is one of the best traits to describe it. The simple touch of flour and cornmeal gives your catfish a nice crispy exterior.

The addition of spice also provides a kick of flavor. The last step in making this treat is deep-frying them. Make sure the oil is hot before placing the fish inside your pan.

It only takes a few minutes to fry each side, so check for the doneness carefully to avoid tough, overcooked fish. Before enjoying, squeezing a bit of lemon on the top is ideal.

22. Honey Mustard Salmon In Foil

Total time: 25 minutes.

Cooking ideas with salmon is endless yet so easy. Indeed, salmon smothered in honey mustard sauce is another incredible recipe to prepare at home. So whether it is for dinner or parties, I guarantee you will be hearing compliments for days.

You can bake or grill it with foil. For more information, aluminum foil is the best agent to conduct heat and withstand overheating. Therefore, using it in grilling or baking is a good trick to keep your food from burning.

In this case, the foil also captures the sauce and lets it slowly absorb in the fish during the cooking. You can devour this sweet-and-savory treat with some side dishes like roasted green beans or green salads for a pleasant meal.

Check this demonstration for a speedy and tasty honey mustard salmon.

23. Lox Breakfast Bagel Sandwich

Total time: 15 minutes.

Fed of cereal-based meals to start a new day? Try this easy savory idea for breakfast. I am sure you (and maybe your kids) will love it.

This lox bagel sandwich idea contains familiar components for a healthy breakfast like lox, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and spinach. Lox is a classic bagel filling that delivers a saltier and salmon-like taste in every mouthful.

You can enhance the buttery flavor by adding butter to your bagel slice before toasting. Plus, the mixture of cream cheese and eggs bursts with bold flavor to make the sandwich more pleasant. If you want to bring it to work (or school), you can wrap it in parchment or foil.

24. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Total time: 17 minutes.

Tilapia is a freshwater fish with a mild taste, making it ideal for marinating, baking, or grilling. Thus, the marinade is very important to transform a bland piece of fins into a decadent meal. Cheesy and appealing, everything you need for a delicate fish dish is here!

If you want to make them crispier, you can pan-fry marinated fish filet before baking. Or adding breadcrumbs is not a bad choice. Plus, please feel free to use frozen fish if you cannot find fresh ones. Just ensure that you thaw it beforehand.

Actually, you can also use other fish species instead of tilapia, as long as they are firm and white. As a simple dish, it would be better to enjoy your crusted tilapia with other accompaniments, for example, veggies.

25. Grilled Halibut

Total time: 25 minutes.

Halibut features a meaty fish with a slight sweetness, so grilling halibut could be your new favorite seafood treat. Its flesh is also firm enough so the fish will not fall apart during the cooking.

In this instance, you should take note that halibut filet and halibut steak are not similar as the steak might include backbone (or rib bone), while filet is bone-free, making it more appropriate for grilling and consuming.

As halibut is not an oily fish, they can easily dry out if you cook them for too long. So once the fish turns to a white color or reaches 145 F degrees, it is good to go. Now, let’s gather a crowd and feed them with this tender, smoky, and super tasty dish!

26. Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Total time: 30 minutes (excluding chilling time).

Crab cakes are a famous food in American cuisine. You can find multiple ways to cook them on the internet, such as grilling, baking, deep-frying, and more. How about air-frying crab cakes?

Packed with juicy crabmeat and other fillings, every bite of these mini cakes is burst with flavors to make the crowd go wow. They can be an outstanding appetizer or main course so you can pair crab cakes with other sides to make the meal heartier.

Remember to spray a light coat of cooking spray on the air fryer basket so your cakes will not stick on the bucket surface. Do not cook them for too long to prevent dried treats. The nicely cooked cakes have a nice golden brown color, and the internal temperature is 160 to 165 F degrees.

Another winner in seafood ideas is crab cakes. And making them could not get easier.

27. Spicy Salmon Burgers

Total time: 30 minutes.

You might not want to go back to regular burgers with beef patties after trying this spicy salmon burger. Thanks to its flaky and juicy texture, salmon is the best fish in this case. With the touch of herbs and other aromatic seasonings, your burger is not only flavorful but also healthy.

To make flawless patties, a food processor will be a good supporter so you can pulse the components. Do not puree them as the salmon mixture might end up pasty.

There are several ways to cook them: on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grilling mat. Serve the burger with spicy sauce, tomato, and arugula for a complete meal.

28. Quick and Easy Teriyaki Cod

Total time: 15 minutes.

Teriyaki is a tangy and umami sauce mainly made from sake, sugar, soy sauce, and mirin (rice wine). By mixing this sauce with cod, you just upgrade your fish-based treat to a new level of tastiness since cod inherently is a mild-flavored fish.

Teriyaki also refers to a cooking style involving grilled (or broiled) dishes with a glaze of sauce. Back to this recipe, though there are many great teriyaki sauces on the market, you can make them at home with ease. It is easy to prepare a big batch and store it in the fridge for later use.

In case it is too hard to find sake for making the sauce, replace it with Chinese white wine or dry white wine. Plus, you should not remove the fish skin if you expect a crispier dish. For a fulfilling meal, you can pair your fish with rice.

29. Broiled Lobster Tails With Garlic Butter Sauce

Total time: 15 minutes.

Do you want to add a bit of fanciness to your dinner? These broiled lobster tails with sauce are definitely indulgences. Tender, juicy, and packed with flavors, this treat is a perfect idea for date nights, Valentine’s day, or any special anniversary.

You do not have to go out to enjoy this treat because this homemade recipe is so easy to throw together in no time. The freshness of lobster tail decides the final outcome, so make sure you buy the greatest ones.

Moreover, you need a kitchen shear to cut their shells, but avoid cutting through their fins. Be alert to these shells’ sharpness because they might cut your fingers.

Now, let’s move to the seasoning part. Actually, all you need to do is just sprinkle salt and pepper and place 2 pieces of butter on the top of the meat. And they are all set to bake in the oven. Very straightforward!

30. Baked Trout Filets

Total time: About 25 minutes.

Baked salmon is delicious, yet baked trout is equally tasty. In fact, trout and salmon are quite similar in flavor and appearance, but the former is freshwater fish, whereas the latter is saltwater species.

Cooking trout is also easy as cooking salmon, especially in this recipe. Starting with the marinade to enhance the fish filets’ flavor, then bake them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes at 400 F degrees until they turn opaque pink-whitish.

However, the baking time also depends on the size and thickness of your fish. If you go with a whole trout, it might take a bit longer.

31. Seafood Cioppino

Total time: 30 minutes.

Running out of the best idea for dinner? Do not stress out because this seafood Cioppino will help you. Apparently, it is hard to deny the goodness of this San Francisco quintessential. So what is in this treat?

Cioppino is basically a stew primarily made with seafood, wine, and tomatoes. About the seafood, I use shrimp, clams, scallops, and crabmeat so my stew can come out with many textures. And these creatures should be fresh to increase the stew’s quality.

You should not ignore the importance of broth. It is a flavor bomb, so you should serve them with a few slices of crusty bread or salad to balance. On the other hand, a glass of white wine is not a terrible idea.

Save this guide now to make a comforting Cioppino. And you will be digging into its deliciousness.

32. Lobster Gnocchi Mac And Cheese

Total time: 30 minutes.

Lobster meat is well-loved for its chewy, firm texture and sweet taste. The only drawback is its high price. Thus, instead of throwing it away, you can use your leftover lobster to make other tasty dishes, like this lobster gnocchi mac and cheese.

At first sight, you will be impressed by this dish’s cheesiness, which derives from 2 types of cheeses. It is also a gooey meal heavily based on heavy cream, milk, and butter.

Unlike other mac and cheese versions, this recipe uses gnocchi – a type of pasta shaped as small dumplings. And for the lobster, it would be much easier if you use cooked meat to minimize other preps and additional moisture.

33. Crispy Beer Battered Fish

Total time: Around 25 minutes.

The game night might be less interesting without a savory dish and beers. But have you ever tried mixing these 2 to create a tasty treat? If not, let me tell you about this beer-battered fish and how wonderful it is.

To make the batter mixture, you will need flour, baking powder, salt, and beer. Keep in mind that the beer must be cold to ensure the crispy batter. Pay more attention to the butter thickness. It should be thin yet can cover all the surface of your fish filets.

After frying, these filets own a crispy golden exterior while the inside is still juicy and flaky. Serve them immediately for the best result.

34. Oyster Stew

Total time: 25 minutes.

The last recipe is about the goodness of oysters. Oyster varieties are diverse, and they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to nourish your body. Therefore, this stew is not only healthy but also mesmerizing to wow everyone.

You can use shucked oysters or canned ones and keep their liquid to mix with milk later. Ingredients in this stew also contain celery, onions, and other flavorings. The flavors from these things can mingle during the simmering to create a rich and comforting dish.

I also use flour to thicken the soup. If you prefer a more filling version, the addition of potatoes is ideal. However, cooking with potatoes might take a longer time. In short, for the quickest oyster stew, this recipe is the best.

Prepare To Be Stunned With These Seafood Ideas!

Seriously, these decadent dishes work like a charm to mesmerize other people. And the best part is they are fussy-free and speedy to make at home.

So, have you tried any of them? If yes, how was your experience? Be sure to leave your comment or other concerns regarding these 33 recipes so we can discuss them. And let me know how much you like this post by rating or sharing it with your friends.

Thank you, and enjoy your cooking journey!