29 Easy Seafood Recipes for When Dinner Needs to Feel Fancy Fast

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When time is tight but you still want dinner to feel special, easy seafood recipes are the answer. These dishes combine the elegance of seafood with the simplicity of fast prep, making it easy to turn any meal into something impressive. From light, fresh options to more hearty seafood meals, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a fancy dinner. With minimal ingredients and quick cooking times, these easy seafood recipes are perfect for busy nights or last-minute guests. You’ll be surprised at how simple seafood can be when it’s made the right way.

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Close-up of several baked sweet potato patties topped with a creamy sauce, fresh dill, and chopped green herbs.
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These little salmon patties pack a punch without demanding much time. Perfect for anyone looking for an easy seafood recipe, they’re full of flavor and can be ready in minutes—great for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani

A white oval dish filled with saffron-colored rice mixed with shrimp and herbs.
Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A one-pot wonder, this Instant Pot shrimp biryani brings bold flavors without the hassle. It’s an easy seafood recipe that combines the richness of shrimp with aromatic spices for a filling meal you can make in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani

Shrimp Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce

A bowl of shrimp pad Thai garnished with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges, placed on a marble surface with chopsticks and a whole lime nearby.
Shrimp Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Shrimp Pad Thai with creamy peanut sauce is a fast, flavor-packed dish that’s anything but ordinary. This easy seafood recipe gives you all the comfort of takeout with none of the wait or mess.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

A plate of grilled chicken cubes garnished with parsley, accompanied by a mixed leaf salad, placed on a woven mat.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

These crispy salmon bites are perfectly golden and flaky, thanks to the air fryer. An easy seafood recipe that gets you a healthier, quick snack or dinner in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp stir-fry with red, green, and yellow bell peppers in a pan. A wooden spoon is stirring the mixture. Lime wedges are placed at the side.
Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sizzling shrimp fajitas come together in no time with this quick and easy recipe. The shrimp cooks fast and pairs perfectly with all those colorful veggies for an effortless seafood dish that’s full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Blackened Cod

Grilled chicken with herbs on quinoa, garnished with lime slices and cilantro, served on a white plate with a fork beside it.
Blackened Cod. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Blackened cod is smoky, spicy, and incredibly simple to pull together. This easy seafood recipe works great for those nights when you want something bold but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Veggie-Packed 1-Skillet Mediterranean Cod

A black plate with a fork contains a dish of sliced tomatoes, onions, and herbs on top of melted cheese, garnished with chopped chives. A lemon-patterned cloth is partially visible beside it.
Veggie-Packed 1-Skillet Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

One skillet, one meal, and all the Mediterranean flavors you love! This easy seafood recipe blends cod with fresh veggies, making dinner a breeze with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Veggie-Packed 1-Skillet Mediterranean Cod

Healthy Air Fryer Cod

Two cooked fish fillets on a black plate, garnished with lemon slices and chopped herbs, placed on a wooden surface.
Healthy Air Fryer Cod. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air-fried cod is crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, without all the grease. This easy seafood recipe gives you a healthier option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Air Fryer Cod

Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

A bowl of spaghetti with shrimp, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and lemon wedges. A pink striped cloth is partially visible on the left.
Shrimp and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Quick, simple, and satisfying, shrimp and tomato pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. It’s an easy seafood recipe that brings shrimp and fresh tomatoes together for a light but delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

Camarones a la Diabla

A plate of cooked shrimp coated in a red sauce, placed on a white dish. The dish is set on a dark surface with green garnish in the background.
Camarones a la Diabla. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy, smoky, and packed with flavor, Camarones a la Diabla is perfect for those who crave heat. It’s an easy seafood recipe with a kick that doesn’t take much to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

A bowl of curry with chicken pieces, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro garnish, served with a spoon on the side.
Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Curry salmon, creamy coconut milk, and tender bok choy make this dish a complete flavor package. This easy seafood recipe brings a touch of warmth and spice to your weeknight menu without a ton of effort.
Get the Recipe: Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

Salmon with Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce

Two pieces of salmon fillet with creamy sauce and herb garnish on a white plate with a floral napkin.
Salmon with Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Lemon and herbs bring out the best in salmon, especially when topped with a buttery sauce. This easy seafood recipe will turn any night into a treat with minimal prep and big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salmon with Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce

Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Close-up of baked white fish fillets topped with herbs and a lemon wedge, served with green beans on the side.
Baked Lemon Butter Fish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Baked fish with lemon and butter is as simple as it gets. This easy seafood recipe brings a delicious, tender fish dinner to your table without the fuss of complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Crab Cream Cheese Wontons

Four golden-brown fried wontons garnished with chopped green onions are arranged in a row on a black plate.
Crab Cream Cheese Wontons. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

These crab and cream cheese wontons are crispy, creamy, and irresistible. They’re a quick and easy seafood recipe that’s perfect for snacks, appetizers, or even a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Crab Cream Cheese Wontons

Easy Szechuan Shrimp

Shrimp cooked in a glossy, dark sesame garlic sauce is being stirred with a spoon.
Easy Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

If you love spice, this Szechuan shrimp is a quick way to satisfy your cravings. This easy seafood recipe brings bold flavors to your dinner table in no time, with just the right amount of heat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Szechuan Shrimp

Keto Baked Pesto Salmon

A plate with salmon topped with chopped herbs, sitting in a creamy green sauce. A lemon wedge and basil leaf garnish the dish, with a striped cloth nearby.
Keto Baked Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

This pesto salmon is full of flavor with the goodness of fresh herbs. It’s a great easy seafood recipe that works perfectly for a keto-friendly dinner without compromising on taste.
Get the Recipe: Keto Baked Pesto Salmon

Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp

Baked shrimp in a rectangular dish with lemon wedges and garlic cloves, topped with a brown sauce.
Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sweet, savory, and buttery—this shrimp recipe cooks up in minutes with rich, bold flavors. It’s the kind of easy seafood recipe you’ll want to make again and again when you need something fast and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

A plate of grilled shrimp skewers with vegetables, lemon wedges, parsley, and a small dish of dipping sauce. A red-checked cloth is on the side. A grill tray is partially visible.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Grilled shrimp skewers are perfect for summer nights or anytime you crave a light, flavorful meal. They’re an easy seafood recipe, ideal for grilling with minimal prep time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Sweet and Spicy Mango Shrimp

A plate of shrimp and mango stir-fry garnished with green onions, served with white rice and lime wedges on the side.
Sweet and Spicy Mango Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The sweet heat of mango and shrimp makes this dish a must-try. An easy seafood recipe with a tropical twist, it’s perfect when you want something quick but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Mango Shrimp

Quick Baked Salmon with Mayo

Two pieces of cooked salmon fillets stacked on a striped plate, garnished with herbs, with a lemon wedge in the background.
Quick Baked Salmon with Mayo. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

This quick baked salmon is topped with creamy mayo for an effortless dinner that’s packed with flavor. It’s a great easy seafood recipe for a simple yet satisfying meal any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Quick Baked Salmon with Mayo

Salmon and Asparagus Quiche

Slice of salmon quiche with asparagus on a gray plate, featuring a creamy filling and a golden crust. Four forks rest on a paper napkin beside it.
Salmon and Asparagus Quiche. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Salmon and asparagus bring a fresh, savory flavor to this quiche. This easy seafood recipe is the perfect dish for brunch or dinner with minimal prep time and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salmon and Asparagus Quiche

Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

A bowl of orzo pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, basil, tuna, and a lemon wedge.
Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This fresh, Mediterranean-inspired tuna orzo salad is a breeze to make. It’s a perfect easy seafood recipe, offering a light and refreshing meal with a variety of vibrant ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

Keto Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

A dish featuring shrimp, asparagus, and pasta, garnished with lemon zest and herbs, served with a creamy sauce.
Keto Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Creamy alfredo sauce, shrimp, and asparagus come together in this low-carb, keto-friendly dish. It’s an easy seafood recipe that’s perfect for a rich and comforting meal without all the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Keto Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

Creamy Barbecue Shrimp

A white plate with shrimp in a creamy orange sauce, garnished with herbs. It is placed next to a folded beige napkin and silver cutlery on a marble surface.
Creamy Barbecue Shrimp. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Barbecue shrimp gets a creamy twist in this easy, flavorful dish. It’s a simple seafood recipe that combines smoky, tangy flavors with the rich creaminess of sauce for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Barbecue Shrimp

Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus

A plate with a cooked salmon fillet on a bed of grains, accompanied by asparagus spears, a lemon wedge, and a sprig of dill.
Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Lemon and dill make this salmon and asparagus dish pop with fresh flavors. An easy seafood recipe that’s quick to put together and perfect for a light, healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus

Shrimp Yaki Udon

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with shrimp, broccoli, carrots, and sliced green onions, served with chopsticks.
Shrimp Yaki Udon. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Shrimp Yaki Udon is packed with tender shrimp and savory sauce over chewy udon noodles. This easy seafood recipe will bring a taste of Japan to your dinner table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yaki Udon

Pistachio Crusted Salmon

A plate of pistachio-crusted salmon garnished with chopped herbs, served alongside lemon slices and spinach leaves.
Pistachio Crusted Salmon. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

A crunchy pistachio crust elevates this salmon to something truly special. This easy seafood recipe is perfect for a quick yet impressive meal that’s sure to wow your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Easy Baked Walleye with Lemon and Almonds

A piece of almond-crusted fish garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge on a blue patterned plate.
Easy Baked Walleye with Lemon and Almonds. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Baked walleye with a light lemon and almond crust is an easy and flavorful seafood dish. It’s a great option when you need a simple, quick seafood recipe that’s still packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Walleye with Lemon and Almonds

Baked Firecracker Salmon

Three grilled salmon fillets on a white plate, garnished with sliced green onions.
Baked Firecracker Salmon. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Spicy, tangy, and totally addictive, this firecracker salmon is a must-try. It’s an easy seafood recipe that’s quick to bake and brings all the bold flavors you love in a fuss-free dish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Firecracker Salmon

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