Seafood is a great option for dinner on a busy weeknight because it is readily available and sustainable, cooks quickly, is nutritious, and kids love it. That’s why we decided to showcase our favorite fish and shrimp dishes. As an added bonus, most options are also low in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Browse our top picks to find a good-for-you seafood recipe that suits your family.
Brothy Coconut Cod With Noodles
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Cod, a mild and versatile fish, gets a flavor boost in this soupy noodle bowl. The fish absorbs a rich coconut-turmeric broth with hints of ginger, cilantro, and lime. The best part: The dish comes together in under 25 minutes for an easy weeknight seafood option.
Parsley-Garlic Salmon
Victor Protasio
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help decrease inflammation. Plus, it’s a great source of lean protein—just one serving of this recipe has 25 grams. Pair with your favorite roasted veggie, like broccoli or asparagus, and a serving of quinoa for a well-rounded healthy meal.
Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Salmon and Broccolini
Fred Hardy
Oven-baked salmon is seasoned with a mixture of butter, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic, which makes each bite of this protein-packed fish full of flavor. Served with lemony and cheesy roasted broccolini, this 25-minute dish is easy and satisfying.
Fast Italian Fish Stew
A stew in 30 minutes? Yes, and it’s hearty, healthy, and flavorful, too. It features crispy-skin halibut floating on cannellini beans and tomatoes in a rich, flavorful broth. For sopping up all that goodness, serve with our no-knead onion rolls.
Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad
This light, bright dish makes the perfect satisfying summer salad. Just toss crunchy veggies and juicy cooked shrimp with a creamy soy-mayo dressing, and then top with luscious cubes of avocado and sesame seeds for extra texture. Best of all, it comes together in just 15 minutes.
Braised Fish With Spicy Tomato Sauce
This North African-inspired recipe serves as a basis for endless variations. While it calls for cod, any other white fish filet—sole, flounder, snapper, or wild Alaska pollock—would be equally successful. Instead of couscous on the side, swap it with rice, noodles, or crusty bread. The possibilities are limitless.
Buttery Shrimp With Marinated White Beans
Transform two cans of beans into an elegant meal in under 30 minutes. Here the bean of choice is cannellini, but this dish works well with other varieties like gigante, cranberry beans, or even chickpeas. A garlicky white wine butter sauce brings the beans and shrimp together, and a slice or two of toasted bread makes it a meal.
Grilled Swordfish With Couscous and Tomatoes
Fred Hardy
Swordfish is a great option for those new to fish, as its meaty texture and mild flavor resonate with just about everyone. In this recipe, a bright, garlicky marinade offers plenty of flavor, while a tomato-and-caper Israeli couscous salad makes for a standout side.
Shrimp and Chorizo Skillet Supper
Spice up the week with some smoky chorizo and extra-large shrimp. Serve it over tomato-braised chickpeas and arugula to get your protein and your greens. The result is a simple yet healthy meal. Better yet? You can keep the leftovers for another night of the week; use the chorizo and shrimp as a topping whether you’re making some quick pasta or rice.
Baked Seafood Casserole With Shrimp and Tilapia
With about half a pound of peeled and deveined medium shrimp (without tails) and tilapia, you can whip up this baked seafood casserole. Top it with creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy bread crumbs. Save some of the dry white wine you use to cook the veggies for a glass that pairs well with the dish.
Grilled Swordfish and Asparagus With Parsley-Caper Salsa
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
You can’t get much healthier than this grilled swordfish and asparagus meal. Swordfish has a hearty texture that’s more robust than whitefish, and grilling the swordfish steak will give them that beautiful bit of char. The parsley-caper salsa brings some salty zing to the dish, and grilled lemons top the whole dish off with a fresh finish.
Shrimp Tacos With Caramelized Pineapple
Jennifer Causey
Made with chili powder, hot sauce, and lime juice, this taco recipe has a nice balance of heat and acid. The grilled pineapples cool everything off with their juicy sweetness, and a sprinkling of crunchy cabbage and cilantro brings freshness. You can also make this gluten-free by skipping the tortillas and opting for a rice bowl or lettuce instead.
Glazed Salmon Burgers
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart
Thanks to the combination of sweet teriyaki sauce, spicy wasabi, and creamy mayonnaise, this burger is a party for your taste buds. Pickled cucumbers, scallions, and Bibb lettuce bring freshness, while a potato bun provides the cloud this dream of a burger deserves. Short on time? You can make both the pickled cukes and the salmon patties in advance and refrigerate for up to two days.
Green Gazpacho With Smoked Trout
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This refreshing gazpacho recipe swaps tomatoes for cucumbers and combines them with salty feta cheese, bright cilantro, and creamy yogurt. Garlic, red wine vinegar, and a drizzle of olive oil are added to emulsify the soup and enhance the flavors. When topped with hot-smoked trout fillets, additional cucumber, and cilantro, this green gazpacho becomes a fulfilling summertime meal.
Marinated Shrimp and Succotash Toasts
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This fresh and vibrant succotash is made with edamame, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and marinated shrimp. Jarred pesto further simplifies everything while adding a salty and herby touch. Toasted sourdough is the vessel for all these bright, delicious ingredients, and a sprinkling of fresh basil leaves completes the dish.
