15 Simple Seafood Recipes for Beginners

Seafood can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your meals, but for beginners, it might feel a little intimidating. Luckily, there are plenty of simple seafood recipes that anyone can master. Whether you’re trying shrimp, salmon, or clams for the first time, these dishes are designed to be easy to prepare while still bursting with flavor. By following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be cooking up a seafood feast in no time.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

For a simple and flavorful seafood dish, grilled shrimp skewers are a great choice. You’ll need one pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined, two tablespoons of olive oil, two cloves of minced garlic, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss the shrimp in the olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, then thread them onto skewers. Grill the shrimp over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through. Serve with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal.

Baked Lemon Butter Cod

Baked lemon butter cod is an easy and delicious recipe that’s perfect for seafood beginners. Start with four cod fillets, one-quarter cup of melted butter, the juice of one lemon, and a pinch of paprika, salt, and pepper. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the cod fillets in a baking dish, then drizzle with melted butter and lemon juice. Sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Pair with steamed vegetables or roasted potatoes for a light and healthy dinner.

Simple Garlic Butter Scallops

Garlic butter scallops are quick to make and packed with flavor. You’ll need one pound of large sea scallops, three tablespoons of butter, two cloves of minced garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat and cook the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Shrimp and Garlic Pasta

This shrimp and garlic pasta recipe is as easy as it is satisfying. Start with eight ounces of spaghetti, one pound of shrimp, three cloves of garlic, one-quarter cup of olive oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes. Toss the shrimp with the cooked pasta and serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Easy Clam Chowder

Making clam chowder at home doesn’t have to be hard with this beginner-friendly recipe. You’ll need two cans of clams, one diced onion, two diced potatoes, three cups of milk, and three tablespoons of butter. Start by sautéing the onion in butter until soft. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, then pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the clams and their juice, and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread for a cozy and comforting meal.

Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

For a light and refreshing option, tuna salad lettuce wraps are an easy go-to. Combine one can of tuna, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, one tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir until well mixed, then spoon the tuna mixture into large lettuce leaves. Top with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes for added flavor. This simple recipe is a great lunch option that’s low in carbs but high in protein and taste.

Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Fish tacos are a fun and easy seafood recipe that anyone can make. You’ll need four white fish fillets, such as tilapia, one tablespoon of chili powder, eight small tortillas, and two cups of shredded cabbage. Season the fish with chili powder and a pinch of salt, then grill or pan-fry for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve the fish in warm tortillas, topped with cabbage slaw made from shredded cabbage, lime juice, and a little mayonnaise. These tacos are perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Broiled Salmon with Honey Mustard

This broiled salmon with honey mustard is a simple yet impressive dish. Start with two salmon fillets, two tablespoons of honey, two tablespoons of Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt. Preheat your broiler and line a baking sheet with foil. Mix the honey and mustard together, then brush the mixture over the salmon fillets. Broil for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky and cooked through. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or rice for a healthy dinner.

Simple Shrimp Stir-Fry

For a quick and healthy meal, try this simple shrimp stir-fry. You’ll need one pound of shrimp, two cups of mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots), three tablespoons of soy sauce, and one tablespoon of sesame oil. Heat the sesame oil in a large pan, then add the vegetables and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and soy sauce, and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Baked Garlic Parmesan Tilapia

This baked garlic Parmesan tilapia is a flavorful dish that’s great for beginners. You’ll need four tilapia fillets, one-quarter cup of grated Parmesan, two tablespoons of melted butter, and two cloves of minced garlic. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Mix the Parmesan, butter, and garlic together, then spread the mixture over the fillets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is flaky. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete dinner.

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce

Coconut shrimp is a fun and easy seafood recipe that’s perfect for a beginner. You’ll need one pound of shrimp, half a cup of shredded coconut, half a cup of panko breadcrumbs, one egg, and one-quarter cup of flour. Dip the shrimp in flour, then egg, and finally the coconut-panko mixture. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping, and enjoy this crispy, tropical treat.

Mussels in White Wine Sauce

Mussels in white wine sauce are surprisingly easy to make. You’ll need two pounds of mussels, one cup of white wine, two cloves of minced garlic, and two tablespoons of butter. Start by cleaning the mussels and discarding any that are open. In a large pot, melt the butter and cook the garlic until fragrant. Add the wine and bring to a simmer, then add the mussels and cover the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Pan-Seared Halibut with Lemon

This pan-seared halibut recipe is simple and full of fresh flavors. You’ll need two halibut fillets, one tablespoon of olive oil, the juice of one lemon, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season the halibut with salt and pepper, then sear for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked through. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish before serving, and enjoy with a side of vegetables or salad.

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is a classic seafood dish that’s both simple and delicious. You’ll need one pound of shrimp, three cloves of minced garlic, one-quarter cup of butter, and the juice of one lemon. Heat the butter in a large pan, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until pink. Squeeze the lemon juice over the shrimp and serve over pasta or with crusty bread to complete the meal.

Oven-Baked Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are a tasty and easy seafood recipe for beginners. You’ll need one pound of crabmeat, one egg, one-quarter cup of breadcrumbs, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, and a dash of Old Bay seasoning. Mix everything together in a bowl, then form the mixture into small patties. Place the patties on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with a side of tartar sauce and enjoy this flavorful seafood favorite.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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