24 Easy Seafood Recipes 

Seafood dishes tend to be incredibly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. Seafood is a broad category that includes some of the most delicious, texturally satisfying, and versatile ingredients available.

Whether you’re looking for an easy and nutritious weeknight dinner to satisfy the family or a complex dish to show off your culinary skills to your friends, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our favorite 24 easy seafood recipes below. You won’t be disappointed.

Classic Prawn (Shrimp) Cocktail

We just had to kick this list of easy seafood recipes off with a classic shrimp cocktail recipe. In case you haven’t noticed, this retro classic is well and truly back in vogue and it’s we can see why.

This is a quintessential appetiser that is incredibly easy to make, can be ready in just a few minutes, and is certain to please everyone. What more could you ask for?

This recipe puts a real emphasis on using ingredients that are as fresh as possible – and we have to say, you really can taste the difference. It also suggests that you use Trader Joe’s cocktail sauce to save time. We recommend you make your own, or , if you live in Australia, you can buy an Aussie equivalent here.

Australian coastal towns are blessed with amazing seafood, and Hervey Bay is no exception. See our Best Restaurants in Hervey Bay for some recommendations.

Fantastic Fish Tortillas

If you’re looking for a fun, light, and quick family meal that is also bursting with flavour, you have to give these fantastic fish tortillas a try. We promise you, they really do live up to their name. Everyone around the table is certain to love them. 

We cannot get over just how flavoursome this recipe is, given that it is so simple. The list of ingredients is fairly short and the method takes just 25 minutes in total. The recipe calls for monkfish, however, we found that flathead works just as well. 

Feel like a Mexican meal tonight, but don’t want to cook? Here are some of the top Mexican cantinas in Melbourne.

Scallop Ceviche 

Honestly, before we found this recipe, we associated ceviche with super fancy restaurants. We never in a million years thought it would be this simple to make. If you want to knock the socks off some dinner guests, this recipe is perfect for you.

Don’t let the name of this dish intimidate you, the recipe takes you through every little detail. Also, the ingredients list is quite small considering how wonderful the dish is. We love serving this ceviche with homemade plantain chips, but tortillas work well too.

Looking for a light dessert to finish off your meal? Why not try one of our Easy Orange Desserts?

Seafood Paella

In our opinion, you can’t compile a list of the best seafood recipes and not include a paella.

This is a classic bright, summery dish that is bursting with flavour. Paella is sure to be a winner at a summer get-together, and this one doesn’t disappoint. You can even cook this one outside on the grill. 

Have you ever considered holding a Paella Party as your next event? See our post on Paella Catering for all the details.

Paella is the king of one-pot meals. This recipe calls for shrimp (prawns), clams, mussels, and Spanish dry-cured chorizo. The chorizo is sometimes a controversial ingredient in paella, so if you’d prefer, you can omit it. However, it really gives the dish a great meaty, smokey flavour. 

Looking for a dessert with a Spanish influence to compliment your paella? Have a peak at our Best Filipino Desserts – some of them have Spanish origins.

Fish And Chips 

Though now an Australian citizen, I’m British born, so any list of best seafood recipes I’m involved with has to have this dish!

If you’re looking to put a fresh spin on a weeknight classic, you need to give this fish and chips recipe a go. It is a staple in the UK, and now we know why. We love getting the family involved in this recipe – it’s easy and can be a super fun activity for the kids. 

If you’re put off by the thought of frying food, maybe you should look at an Air Fryer? Modern Air Fryers can do everything from fry to bake to steam to roast – all with a minimum of oil. Click here for more information and prices.

This recipe tells you how to make your own batter for the fish. However, if you want to put a healthy spin on the meal, you can swap the batter for a cornflake crumb, and the deep-frying for oven baking. You can also swap the wedges for sweet potato. 

Have you tried ordering from Hello Recipe yet? Here are our favourite dinners.

Prawn And Chive Dumplings

If you’re a big fan of east-Asian cuisine but have always been a bit too afraid to try and make it yourself, you need to try this recipe. These little prawn and chive dumplings are incredibly easy to make and they are so full of flavour that you won’t be able to justify a takeout.

You’ll be surprised to find out that you need just 7 ingredients for this recipe. For the dumpling wrappers, you can simply purchase a pack of ‘gow gee’ wrappers. They’re so easy to use that you’ll be having dumplings every day. 

Who doesn’t like a dumpling? Here are some of the Best Dumpling Restaurants in Brisbane.

Simple Fish Stew

What could be more comforting on a cold, winter evening, than a warming fish stew? This recipe is ideal if you’re looking for a new weeknight staple. It is low-maintenance to make, really quite simple, and is full of wonderful, hearty flavours. Everyone is sure to love it.

There aren’t too many ingredients to worry about in this recipe. However, it really states the importance of using the best quality fish possible. Specifically, it calls for raw sustainable monkfish and raw sustainable mussels. We promise it’s worth it. 

Actually, whatever seafood recipes you are making, buying the best seafood that you can afford is the biggest favour that you can do for yourself.

Would you like a quick dish that you can put together in 20 minutes? Try our Seafood Pasta Recipe.

Crab And Asparagus Pappardelle 

We absolutely love a pasta dish, and this one is one of our favourites. If we could eat it every night of the week, we definitely would. The combination of crab, fresh egg pappardelle, and asparagus makes it the perfect seasonal dish. No wonder it’s on our list of best seafood recipes.

Have you ever tried making your pasta pasta or noodles? Well it’s easier than you probably think. Especially with one of these easy-to-use Pasta Makers.

We are certain that this dish will become a staple in your household. The ingredients are fresh and simple, and the method consists of just two steps. In fact, this dish will only take 25 minutes in total to make. We love serving it with a crunchy rocket salad. 

Live in Perth and on the look out for a good bowl of pasta? Here are some of the top Italian Restaurants in the WA capital.

Simple Seafood Chowder

It would obviously be a crime to write a list of the best seafood recipes, and not include a seafood chowder. This recipe is everything you want from chowder and more – it is creamy and packed with glorious chunks of salmon and smoked haddock. 

This recipe is ideal if you’re looking for a hearty meal. Arguably, this dish is as hearty as it gets. Surprisingly, this dish only takes 15 minutes to prepare, and 25 minutes to cook, which means that it can be on the table in just 40 minutes.

Located between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas has some superb seafood restaurants.

Pan-Seared Scallops 

Pan-seared scallops are often our meal of choice when we visit a seafood restaurant, but we never thought to cook them ourselves at home. However, since we’ve found this recipe, that has changed dramatically. These scallops are our go-to dish for a dinner party. 

They are light, healthy, and the zesty orange, lime, and shallot dressing is addictively good. We love serving these with some grilled asparagus, however, you can serve them with pretty much any green veggies you fancy.

If you want a knock-out dessert to go with this dish, take a look at our Traditional Japanese Dessert recipes.  

Garlic Butter Shrimp (Prawn) Pasta

Garlic butter, shrimp, and pasta. We challenge you to name a more delicious-sounding combination. This dish is comfort food at its finest. It is incredibly easy to make, doesn’t feel too heavy, but somehow still manages to make you feel cozy inside. 

We love how easy this recipe is to throw together. All you need to do is boil some pasta, saute the shrimp in garlic butter, and once ready, combine the two. We love throwing in some extra green veggies when we’re in need of a healthy pick-me-up. Spinach is a great choice as it’s so nutrient-rich.

From cheap and cheerful, to expensive and fancy, Sydney has some excellent Italian Restaurants.

Satay Noodle Prawn Soup

As soon as the weather shows the first sign of turning, we instantly crave some kind of noodle soup. This satay noodle prawn soup definitely doesn’t disappoint. It is full of hearty ingredients that are certain to give you the pick-me-up you need. 

Believe it or not, this recipe only takes 10 minutes to make. This is because it calls for a pre-made stir fry kit in the ingredients list. To make it feel a little fresher, we enjoy adding some extra fresh veggies, but make sure not to cook these for too long – it’s all about the crunch. 

Easy Aussie Seafood Platter

We just had to include a big, fat, whopping seafood platter in this list. These really are a sign of decadence, and we are here for it. If you’re planning a get-together or buffet-style dinner, you simply have to make sure that this Easy Aussie Seafood Platter is on the table.

There is nothing more impressive than showing up to a party to see a huge display of well-prepared seafood. However, between friends, there is also nothing more downright simple to make. This extravagant platter takes just 20 minutes in total to put together.

Want to finish off with a stellar pudding? Take a look at our Chocolate Dessert recipes.

Puff Pastry Smoked Salmon And Goat Cheese Quiche 

If you’re a fan of meal prepping and are looking for a dish that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the next few days, this puff pastry smoked salmon and goat cheese quiche is absolutely perfect. It is super versatile and absolutely delicious, so has worthy spot amongst our best seafood recipes.

The combination of crispy pastry, custard-ey eggs, salmon, and goat’s cheese is just to die for. If you love the sound of this recipe, but cooking with pastry sends a shiver down your spine, not to worry. This one calls for frozen puff pastry, and it comes out perfect every time.

Do you like trying more unusual ingredients? Give our Pomegranate Recipes a go.

Tuna And Sesame Rice Balls 

Japanese cuisine is a favourite of ours. Specifically, we love sushi. The combination of fresh fish with perfectly seasoned rice and nori is unrivalled. However, it can be quite tricky to make at home. If you feel the same, you need to give these tuna and sesame rice balls a try.

Try our Tuna Sushi Recipe for Your Recipe Night In

This recipe is ideal if you love sushi but don’t have the appropriate equipment to make it at home (e.g. a rolling mat). The ingredients list might seem a little long and particular, however, once you have a cupboard full of this stuff, you’ll be able to make delicious Japanese food every time you have a craving for it.

Or, you could go out for dinner. Here are our top Japanese spots in Perth. 

Instant Pot Coconut Salmon With Fresh Herbs And Lime 

Not surprisingly, to cook this entry in our best seafood recipes, you need an Instant Pot. You can check price and availability of them here.

There is nothing better than an Instant Pot recipe, and we think that this might just be the best one we’ve ever come across. Now, we know you might be thinking, Instant Pot salmon… really? We promise you, it might be the best salmon we’ve ever made.

In fact, after discovering this recipe, we now cook a lot more salmon in the Instant Pot. You simply need to incrementally add the ingredients, with the salmon being the last. Once the salmon is cooked to your liking (usually 1 to 2 minutes), it’s ready. This cooking process takes just 12 minutes. 

Fresh herbs and lime always make me think of the zingy food of Vietnam. For the best Vietnamese Restaurants in Melbourne, see here.

Moules-Frites (Steamed Mussels And Fries) 

So, the combination of steamed mussels and fries might not be so familiar. However, this traditional Belgian has completely won us over. This dish combines everything you might crave – gorgeous seafood, a garlicky sauce, and super crunchy french fries.

The ingredients list for this recipe is fairly straightforward. However, if you want to make it even quicker, rather than making your own lemon-herb aioli, feel free to buy your favourite substitute from the store. 

Honey-Mustard Sheet Pan Salmon 

You can never go wrong with a sheet-pan recipe. If you’re not feeling so adventurous in the kitchen, but you fancy a super tasty dinner, you need to give this recipe a try. This no-fuss salmon dish is mouth-wateringly good.

This recipe is ideal if you need a quick, weeknight fix but don’t want to compromise on flavour. In fact, the method gives you a few tips and tricks to really cut down the cooking time. For instance, you should marinate the salmon and spices as the oven warms up. Or, you could even prep the veggies a few days before and store them in the fridge.

Are you familiar with tomato-shaped persimmon? Do you use them much? Here are some Persimmon Recipes for you to try if you’re curious. 

Alison Roman’s Swordfish With Crushed Olives And Oregano 

This dish is the epitome of un-fussy cooking. It is simple, low maintenance, quick, but absolutely bursting with flavour. We love the versatility of this dish – whether you need a quick weeknight fix or a fresh dish for a casual get-together, this recipe has got you covered.

Some of us love fishy fish. Others struggle with a strong fish taste. So this is one of those best seafood recipes that can be a life-saver if you find some fish dishes too powerful.

It uses swordfish, which is meaty and juicy, with little fishy flavour. Honestly, it’s pretty close to chicken in terms of texture and taste. 

Mention the word ‘olive’ and we immediately think of Greek food. Here are some of our favourite Greek Restaurants in Sydney.

Crab-Stuffed Avocados 

If you’re looking for innovative and fun finger food, look no further than these crab-stuffed avocados. After trying these, we couldn’t believe that we’d never had this combination before.

This recipe really delivers on flavour. The avocados are gently seared until lightly caramelised, and the sweet crab meat is combined with a zesty lemon and tarragon marinade that works perfectly. If you want to wow some guests, this is the recipe for you.

Chipotle-Lime Crab Crisps

These chipotle-lime crab crisps are the perfect appetisers at a casual party. They are crunchy, spicy, sweet, cheesy, and are sure to please every single guest. As a bonus, they are also incredibly easy to make. 

We absolutely love these crisps. We feel as if they’re a more fancy and dainty version of nachos. For the best results, make sure to buy a high-quality bag of tortilla chips, or you can even make your own.

If you in Brisbane and feel like grabbing a Mexican meal tonight, see our guide to the Best Mexican Restaurants.

Spanish-Style Cod In Tomato Broth

This Spanish-style cod in a tomato broth is the perfect light but hearty dinner dish. It is full of wonderful flavours and textures. In fact, your mouth will water just from looking at the ingredients list. We reckon it will become one of your best seafood recipes. 

We just love this recipe. It is very easy to make and always leaves everyone around the table feeling satisfied. When you need to stir the pot, be sure to not break up the fish. Also, if you’re into sustainability, make sure you purchase ethically sourced cod.

Wasabi Seafood Salad

It should come as no surprise that Japanese cuisine has some of the best seafood recipes. And if you’re a fan of spice and Japanese food, you need to give this salad a try.

This salad really breaks up the boring, weekday work lunches. It is full of wonderful textures and flavours, and will also leave you feeling full throughout the day.

This recipe only requires 8 ingredients, most of which you likely already have in the fridge. You will need wasabi paste, and we recommend purchasing a high-quality one for the best outcome.

Take a look at our guide to the Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney for some dining suggestions.

Fish Biryani Recipe 

Finally, we couldn’t complete this list of the best seafood recipes without this fish biryani recipe. This recipe puts a deliciously fishy spin on a traditional Indian hybrid dish. It is absolutely packed with flavour and makes for the perfect family weeknight dinner. 

Now, you might think that you need hours to produce the strength and depth of flavour that is associated with Indian cuisine. However, this dish can be made, from start to finish, in just 45 minutes. It does have quite a long list of ingredients, but we can promise you, it is definitely worth the extra effort.

Searching for a decent curry in Adelaide? Here are some of the Best Indian eateries in SA. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is The Best Seafood To Cook For Beginners?

This question is easy. Salmon. 

Salmon is incredibly quick and easy to cook, it has a wonderful meaty texture, and it’s incredibly versatile. You can never go wrong with a nice piece of salmon. 

What Vegetables Go Well With Seafood? 

Seafood is generally more versatile than you might think. Below, we’ve listed our favourite seafood and veggie pairings. Check it out.

1. Whitefish And Dark, Leafy Greens

The combination of dark, leafy greens with a lean white fish isn’t just deliciously fresh but also incredibly nutritious. We love to combine cod with a raw kale salad that has been massaged with olive oil and salt. 

2. Crab And Corn

This is an absolute staple. Corn on the cob with shellfish is a combination in buttery heaven. The contrasting textures and the rich flavors really make this a winning combo. 

3. Salmon And Asparagus 

This is a winning combination in our household. Grilled asparagus adds a great texture to a salmon dish, in addition to a wonderful splash of colour. Whether you plan on smoking, baking, or frying your salmon, we recommend serving it with asparagus.

4. Any Seafood And A Side Salad 

You can never go wrong with a side salad. Specifically, a fresh, crisp, light salad with an oil-based dressing. From experience, this works with pretty much everything.

What Are The Most Popular Seafood Dishes? 

If you’re hosting a dinner party, you might be wondering what seafood is likely to please the most people. Well, you’re in luck. Below, we’ve listed three of the most popular seafood dishes in Australia.

1.Prawns (Shrimp)

Us Aussie love our prawns. This might be because of their versatility. They can be baked, boiled, grilled, and fried, and work well with a huge array of ingredients. Prawns are a great option if you’re looking for a seafood appetiser that will please all of your guests. 

2. Salmon 

Salmon is ideal for uncomplicated meals, and it is also considered to be a very healthy source of protein. Like prawns, salmon can be made in a huge variety of ways and combined with pretty much any ingredient.

3.Oysters 

A little bit fancy, but oh so delicious.

The beauty of a plump, fresh oyster is that you really don’t need to do anything to it at all – unless you want to! A squeeze of lemon juice and off you go

Conclusion 

Whether you’re looking for a new and nutritious weeknight staple or a fancy dish to blow away your dinner guests, seafood is a great option. We hope that this list has inspired you to try something new in the kitchen.