16 Healthy Fish and Shrimp Recipes for Any Night of the Week
No takeout tonight! Liven up any meal with loads of flavor.
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.
Seared Salmon With Israeli Couscous
If you think you can't perfect a crispy-skinned salmon filet, this recipe is for you. It's accompanied by a bright salad that marries couscous and baby arugula with a lemony, mustardy dressing. The result is a light, satisfying meal that takes just 30 minutes.
Glazed Salmon With Broccoli Rice
This recipe calls for broiling skinless salmon fillets—which takes only eight minutes—topped with a sweet, salty glaze and caramelized onions. On the side, we jazzed up plain white rice with fresh broccoli florets, but feel free to swap them out with your family's favorite veggie.
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.
Garlicky Baked Shrimp
Moist but crunchy. Impressive but simple. Instead of breading and frying each shrimp individually, arrange them in two layers on a baking sheet and let a 425-degree oven do its thing. Make it a meal by adding pasta, rice, or bread and a veggie, and it's still on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Pappardelle With Shrimp and Asparagus
Light, delicious, healthy, and easy. What more could you want? Fast? It's got that, too. Whip up this weeknight delight in less than 30 minutes. And don't let "pappardelle" scare you—it's just a broad, flat pasta—so fettucine or really just about any pasta works just fine.
Crispy-Skinned Fish Fillets
The key to crispy skin? Pan-sear skin-side down on a hot skillet for 4 minutes. There are a few other steps, but that's the crux. Try this recipe using any skin-on fish fillet, such as striped bass, branzino, or mackerel. It only takes 15 minutes, so there's plenty of time to whip up a pasta salad or a roasted veggie dish.
Seared Tilapia With Watercress and Mango Salad
The key to getting a good sear on tilapia (and most pan-seared fish) is to pat very dry before cooking. If frozen, run them under cold tap water for a quick thaw (just a few minutes is all it takes). When dry, season both sides before cooking in hot oil for a light, flavorful filet. Paired with a fruity salad, this fish dish is ready in 20 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.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Tex-Mex meets the coast. Luscious Gulf shrimp nestle on a bed of shredded cabbage slaw with a creamy mayo-based dressing and a punch of lime, all wrapped in a corn tortilla—or flour, you're the boss! Top with your favorite green tomatillo salsa for a quick, fun meal you can eat with your hands.
Spiced Cod-and-Tomato Stew With Gremolata
Cooking fish can be intimidating, and so can a term like "gremolata," but in both cases, it's nothing you can't handle. These fillets are poached in broth, which allows them to cook slowly and evenly. (If you're looking for an alternative to cod, try wild Alaska pollock, which is delicate and similar in flavor and texture.) As for gremolata, it's a classic, four-ingredient Italian condiment you can whip up in minutes. You've got this!
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.
Seared Tuna with Tomato-Olive-Caper Salad
Kick the canned tuna and try pan-searing fresh tuna filets instead. It only takes 1 to 2 minutes per side, resulting in a firm texture with a mild flavor. It pairs nicely aside a tangy tomato-olive relish and then drizzled with a warm shallot vinaigrette—all in just 20 minutes!
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.
Tuna Niçoise Baguette
Sandwiches aren't just for lunch. Try this tuna niçoise baguette recipe for dinner. It brings everything you love about the classic French salad and brings it into a flavorful sandwhich.
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.
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