16 Seafood Dinner Recipes You Can Whip Up in Under an Hour

Shrimp and Grits
Photo: Blaine Moats

Ready in 45 minutes or less, these easy seafood recipes prove that you don't have to save salmon, shrimp, tuna, and others for special occasions. These speedy seafood dinner ideas, including easy fish tacos, grilled shrimp, fast seafood skillets, and beyond, are doable enough for a weeknight.

01 of 16

Seared Salmon with Pistachio Gremolata

Seared Salmon with Pistachio Gremolata
Jacob Fox

The flavor and the texture will have you going nuts about this skillet supper. Single-serving salmon fillets sear quickly in a skillet (6 minutes). Though the seafood dinner idea is low on prep time, it sure isn't short on flavor with its vibrant herb-and-pistachio gremolata topper.

02 of 16

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits
Blaine Moats

This classic Southern dish tastes like it cooked low and slow, but the easy seafood recipe actually comes together in 25 minutes. The secret is in multitasking: As you simmer the buttery stove-top grits, pan-fry the shrimp in ham drippings. Is your mouth watering yet? Ours are.

03 of 16

Fish Tacos with Roasted Tomato Salsa

Fish Tacos with Roasted Tomato Salsa
Andy Lyons

While the fish grills (inside on a grill pan or outside on the BBQ), char some tomatoes and onions in the oven for the simple homemade salsa. That cilantro-infused condiment is the secret to these easy fish tacos tasting as tempting as the kind from a taco truck. (By the way, cod, halibut, seabass, or any firm white fish fillets work well in this recipe.)

Buy It: All-Clad Grill Pan, $60, Williams Sonoma

04 of 16

Roasted Asparagus, Fish, and Bay Leaves

Roasted Asparagus, Fish, and Bay Leaves
Jacob Fox

This hands-off easy white fish recipe pairs with plenty of fresh summer veggies, no extra skillets or pans required. Come fall and winter, try the sheet-pan supper with small cubes of butternut squash, potatoes, and cauliflower instead of asparagus and tomatoes. Either way, it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes.

05 of 16

Striped Bass en Brodo

Striped Bass en Brodo
Andy Lyons

Bass, halibut, and red snapper are all perfect for poaching in this light white wine and fresh tomato sauce. And because fish cooks so quickly, this entire entrée can be on your table in 25 minutes. The easy white fish recipe is naturally low in calories and carbs, but if you're not aiming to limit them too strictly, we suggest serving crusty bread to soak up every last drop of broth.

06 of 16

Grilled Salmon and Leeks with Rosemary-Mustard Butter

Grilled Salmon and Leeks with Rosemary-Mustard Butter
Andy Lyons

Seeking a speedy seafood dinner idea that will heat up your weeknight meal routine without heating up your kitchen? Grill both the entrée (salmon) and the side dish (leeks) al fresco. You can also make an identical 30-minute easy fish dinner indoors on a grill pan if the weather isn't cooperating.

Buy It: Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan, $39, Target

07 of 16

Crab and Asparagus Frittata

Crab and Asparagus Frittata
Blaine Moats

Get cracking and pair fresh or canned crab with eggs for a next-level skillet dish. Toss in cheese, veggies, and fresh herbs for a fast seafood entrée that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Test Kitchen Tip: Enjoy leftovers as a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich the next day by tucking a sliver inside a pita or between two slices of toast.

08 of 16

Lemon Baked Fish with Dill Panko Topping

Lemon Baked Fish with Dill Panko Topping
Blaine Moats

If you and your family adore fish sticks, this easy baked cod recipe is a simple, less-processed upgrade. To seal the deal on moving this to must-make dinner territory, we'd like to present this piece of evidence: the four-ingredient (plus butter and olive oil) ingredient list. Enjoy this weeknight dinner idea with a side of steamed broccoli or cauliflower to include three of our top eight anti-inflammatory foods.

09 of 16

Pacific Northwest Fried Rice

Pacific Northwest Fried Rice
Jacob Fox

Skip takeout or delivery and enjoy a taste of Asian cuisine at home with this easy fish dinner. Instead of chicken or pork, the unique fried rice recipe gets a dose of protein from sautéed salmon. Serve the 30-minute meal with a lemon wedge to make the flavors pop.

10 of 16

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon
Andy Lyons

Bourbon isn't only for Old Fashioned cocktails. Use the barrel-aged corn-based spirit to lend warmth to balance the sweet maple syrup and tangy orange juice in a tantalizing glaze in this easy five-ingredient dinner. Come spring and summer, serve the good-for-you salmon with roasted asparagus. In fall and winter, try it with roasted Brussels sprouts or cubes of winter squash.

11 of 16

Fish Tacos with Lime Sauce

Fish Tacos with Lime Sauce
Andy Lyons

Fast, fresh, and crazy-affordable, tilapia tacos are one of our go-to meals on hectic evenings. Fold warm tortillas around crispy tilapia, cabbage, carrots, and sliced jalapeño to make the Mexican entrée. Then top with a little (or if you're like us, a lot) of the zesty lime sauce for a creamy-citrusy complement to the pan-fried fish.

12 of 16

Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Lemon Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo
Karla Conrad

This is not your grandma's tuna casserole recipe. (Sorry, Grandma.) A splash of lemon juice brightens the comforting pasta dish. Craving a crunchy element atop the five-ingredient easy fish dinner? Crown it with crushed croutons or a handful of toasted breadcrumbs.

13 of 16

Shrimp with Peppers and Corn

Pacific Northwest Fried Rice
Jacob Fox

"My husband and I loved this recipe! It was bursting with flavor and so easy to make," raves BH&G home cook Diana. One bite of the chile-seasoned tomatoes and smoky cumin-spiced shrimp and you'll see why this easy seafood recipe is a fan favorite. (Not to mention the 25-minute start-to-finish time to assemble the entire entrée and side.)

14 of 16

Tuna Focaccia

Tuna Focaccia
Andy Lyons

Bet you've never noshed on a tuna salad sandwich like this before. A spicy-sweet spread of cream cheese and Asian chili sauce adds a kick to this easy seafood recipe. Edamame lends welcome freshness. Start with canned tuna (or one of those handy pouch packages) and 15 minutes stand between you and this no-cook recipe.

15 of 16

Barbecued Salmon with Corn Relish

Barbecued Salmon Corn Relish
Andy Lyons

Succulent, flaky salmon can be what's for dinner tonight in a mere 30 minutes. This budget-friendly seafood dinner idea proves that heart-healthy salmon can be jam-packed with flavor too. Top the fish with barbecue sauce and serve with grilled corn, jalapeño peppers, and bell peppers for the ultimate summer dinner.

16 of 16

Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers

Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
Andy Lyons

Take a break from burgers and hot dogs and toss this easy seafood recipe onto the grill the next time you're cooking over open flames. Before they hit the grill, brush shrimp and pineapple skewers with orange marmalade and soy sauce, which also flavor the simple cilantro rice. Both the well-balanced kabob recipe and the side dish can be on your table in 30 minutes.

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