24 Easy Seafood Recipes

Are you tired of the usual beef, pork, and chicken dishes for dinner? 

If you’re looking for ways to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor, these seafood recipes are sure to delight.  

Seafood is an excellent source of protein with less fat and cholesterol than other types of meat. 

Yep! It tastes great, and it’s good for you. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? 

Plus, it’s easy to cook! You save time in the kitchen simply by making seafood dishes. 

From light and refreshing salads to creamy and luscious soup, these classic meals are sure to please the entire family. 

Here are 24 easy seafood dinner ideas you can whip up in 30 minutes or less. 

Whether you prefer the classic clam chowder and crab cakes or a creamy shrimp salad, these recipes are perfect for any occasion. 

So without further ado, let’s dive in!

20+ Quick and Easy Seafood Recipes and Ideas

1. Easy Shrimp Creole 

This dish features extra-large shrimp enveloped in a spiced sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, and onion. This is a meal the whole family can enjoy.

Shrimp creole originates from Louisiana Creole cuisine, which blends Spanish, West African, French, and Amerindian flavors.

With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful dish with a spicy kick. 

If you have kids but also love spicy food, you can make a separate serving that’s kid-friendly and go all out on the heat with the rest! 

2. Easy Fish Tacos 

Fish tacos offer a fresh flavor that you just can’t get from beef, pork, and chicken tacos.

What makes this recipe so easy is you simply season and bake the fish and prepare the toppings while it’s cooking, and voila! Dinner is ready.

Serve with some avocados, cheese, pico de gallo or fresh mango salsa, and other greens. This recipe comes with a delightful fish taco sauce, too! 

Everyone will appreciate being able to make their own tacos and choose their own toppings based on their preference.

3. Bagels and Lox 

This easy sandwich is made with chewy bagels, tasty lox, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, and onion. 

Doesn’t it sound tasty?

The rich, tangy cream cheese complements the salty lox. The capers, tomatoes, and onions give off their distinct flavors in this filling bagel sandwich.

This definitely doesn’t taste like your usual lunch.

If you’re looking to have this as a meal, you can stick to regular bagels. But if you simply want a snack, you can use bagel thins.

4. Tuna Salad 

Let me introduce you to your new lunch favorite!

This classic tuna salad can be whipped up in 15 minutes. It’s loaded with protein and has pickles, celery, and dill mixed with creamy mayo, dijon, and lemon juice. 

It’s a good thing this is so easy to make because you’ll want to have it over and over again.

Use it as a sandwich spread or mix it with some greens for a light salad.

5. Shrimp Cocktail 

Did you know that the classic shrimp cocktail appetizer is so easy to make?

You can confidently serve this party staple at your next gathering.

The shrimp are cooked in a broth of bay leaves, lemon, salt, and pepper to enhance their flavor. 

This recipe uses store-bought cocktail sauce that’s just as delicious as homemade, but without the hassle.

6. Steamed Mussels 

If you love mussels, you must try these! This recipe lets the natural flavor of mussels shine instead of adding any overpowering ingredients.

Inspired by the French steamed mussels dish, this will transport you to the city of Paris!

The mussels are cooked with olive oil, white wine, garlic, tomatoes, and lemon juice, which gives them a light and refreshing flavor. 

Serve this dish with some toasted bread for dipping. Don’t forget to have this with the rest of the white wine you used for cooking.

7. Shrimp Salad 

The pretty pink colors of shrimp contrast nicely with the greens of the celery, dill, chives, and shallots in this salad.

You need not worry about peeling and deveining the shrimp because you can simply use pre-cooked shrimp for this one. Yay!

This versatile salad can be served as an appetizer, but you can also use it for sandwiches or add it to salads and wraps.

8. Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia 

The lemon garlic baked tilapia recipe shows us that cooking fish at home is not intimidating at all. If anything, it will encourage you to put fish on the menu more often.

Don’t miss out on the goodness of tilapia baked in a simple lemon butter and garlic sauce. 

Tilapia is one of the less expensive options for white fish. You can enjoy this dish without spending too much. Plus, you only need a few simple ingredients.

If you can’t find tilapia, any white fish will do.

9. Pan Seared Scallops 

These pan-seared scallops are bursting with citrus flavors of orange and lime!

Most seafood dishes are paired with lemon, which is a fantastic duo. It’s a classic combination that never gets old.

This one uses a mix of orange and lime with shallots, cilantro, and some chili pepper.

The dressing is so good; you can use it for your sides as well. The recipe recommends serving the scallops with steamed green beans or roasted asparagus.

10. Pan Seared Cod 

This pan-seared cod dish is quick and healthy!

You only need three ingredients to make this buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. As long as you have cod, salt, and butter, you’re good to go.

The caramelized outside with a tender and flaky inside is what makes pan-seared fish so good. 

The flavor of this dish is light enough that you can enjoy it with any side of your choice. Perhaps serve it with your favorite salad?

11. Grilled Salmon 

This delightful grilled salmon requires just 7 ingredients and can be on the dinner table in just 15 minutes!

When it comes to cooking, quick and easy are my two favorite words.

You can’t go wrong with this simple dish. The recipe also introduces a “house seasoning” that just might be your go-to seasoning for almost everything! 

12. Crab Cakes 

Young and old alike will love these easy-to-make crab cakes. Try them for a restaurant-quality meal at home!

This recipe combines the flavors of crab meat with fresh parsley and Old Bay seasoning. Serve with either cornbread, salad, or coleslaw for a truly unforgettable meal.

Lump crab meat is the best option for making crab cakes because it’s flavorful yet affordable.

13. Baked Scallops With Cheese

Half-shelled scallops with melted cheese on top… 

Nope, you aren’t dreaming.

A rich and buttery mayonnaise mixture and shredded mozzarella cheese are placed on top of the scallops, then they’re baked to perfection. 

If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add your favorite cheese combinations.

This recipe is indulgent, but trust me when I say that it’s well worth it!

14.  Crab and Shrimp Bisque 

This crab and shrimp bisque is sure to keep you warm on chilly nights.

It might sound fancy with its French name, but don’t let that fool you. It’s simply a thick and creamy soup that’s made with seafood, traditionally shellfish. 

The luscious soup is creamy with hints of tomato, celery, and green onion flavors to complement the crab and shrimp.

This recipe is an amazing combination of shrimp and crab, but you’re free to use your favorite seafood.

15. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta 

This light garlic butter herb shrimp pasta will surely win the hearts of your guests! (Or just you. I would totally make this just for myself.)

The simple garlic-buttered pasta acts as the supporting role to the star of the show, the shrimp! 

To be honest, the pasta is already delicious on its own. It’s packed with flavorful herbs, but the shrimp adds the oomph factor that will leave you wanting more.

16. Salmon Burgers 

If you’re planning to make burgers, switch them out for some healthy salmon burgers.

You don’t have to sacrifice taste when it comes to making a healthy meal.

The canned salmon is combined with eggs, cracker crumbs, chopped celery, and onion to make the patties. 

The yogurt sauce is made by mixing all the ingredients together to get the perfect light but flavorful dressing.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3 and a great way to incorporate more seafood into your meals.

17. Clam Chowder 

Clam chowder is a classic seafood dish. 

But you don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant to enjoy this delicious soup. With this simple recipe, you can make it at home for the entire family to enjoy.

This flavorful soup is loaded with luscious clams and potatoes, as well as crispy bacon bits to add a savory crunch.

Depending on your preferences, this hearty clam chowder can be thick or soupy. It will taste great either way!

18. Grilled Shrimp Skewers 

For a quick and easy meal, these grilled shrimp skewers are perfect on a busy weeknight.

You’ll only need to marinate the shrimp in garlic, lemon, and herbs for 15 minutes to 2 hours max. Meanwhile, cooking takes just 2-3 minutes.

If you don’t have a grill or if you don’t want to cook outside, you can use a stovetop grill.

If you’re in a hurry, you can have dinner on the table in just 20 minutes.

19. Fried Fish Sandwich 

You’ll forget all about chicken sandwiches when you bite into this fried fish sandwich.

The fish is fried to golden brown perfection, and each bite is super crispy, thanks to the panko bread crumbs and finely-crushed soda crackers.

The tangy tartar sauce, buttery brioche bun, cheese, and pickles make this a meal to remember.

20. Shrimp Pad Thai 

Pad Thai is the most well-known Thai food and is rated as one of the most delicious foods in the world.

If you’ve never tried Pad Thai before, you’re missing out!

This dish is a fusion of flavors. It’s savory, nutty, and sweet, all in one meal.

With the number of flavors that it has, you’d think it requires a lot of ingredients, but it’s actually a simple recipe. 

Make sure you prepare everything beforehand because once the heat is on, you’ll need to move quickly.

21. Easy Broiled Lobster Tails 

Broiled lobster tails is another dish that’s simple and easy but ultra tasty.

The lobster tails are butterflied to ensure that the lobster meat cooks evenly and to make sure that the butter sauce really gets in there.

Juicy lobster is coated in a mixture of butter, garlic, lemon juice, with cayenne and smoked paprika to give it some heat.

You’ll think you’re dining out and not eating at home.

22. Easy Tuna Melts 

Hot sandwiches filled with tuna salad and covered in melted cheese? Tuna melts will always be a good idea. 

A tasty tuna salad is easy to make, but the cheddar cheese is what makes this a truly delicious sandwich.

The tomatoes, dijon mustard, and lemon juice help enhance the flavors. 

The recipe provides tuna melt variations, so you don’t end up making the same thing every time. Try all of them and find out which one is your favorite!

23. Easy Seafood Cioppino 

Cioppino is a seafood lover’s heaven in a pot. Cioppino is an American-Italian seafood stew that originated in San Francisco. 

It has a little bit of everything that comes from the sea. You can make this with whatever seafood is available. Crustaceans, mollusks, squid, fish, you name it.

The seafood is simmered in a seasoned tomato broth that’s perfect with buttered bread.

24. Easy Baked Trout 

This easy baked rainbow trout gives you the flavors of the sea with its freshness. 

The best, tried-and-true way to cook seafood is with some lemon, garlic, and herbs.

This light and healthy meal will make you appreciate the natural flavors of the fish. You can serve it with roasted veggies like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.