There Are So Many Easy and Flavorful Ways to Make Fish for Dinner
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On an average weeknight, a chicken dinner may be the winner, but don’t underestimate a fish dish! Whether it’s seared, baked, fried, or grilled, there are so many ways to enjoy the lean protein of the sea. And that’s not to mention all the different types of fish you can cook, like buttery salmon, crispy cod, mild mahi mahi, and hearty tuna. Even Ree Drummond can appreciate a fish feast, even though her love for salmon didn’t start until her forties. If you’re in the same boat as The Pioneer Woman—and “making up for lost time”—it’s not too late to add a few fish recipes to your weeknight dinner lineup.
Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and plenty of protein, a fish fillet makes the perfect base for a healthy dinner recipe—especially when grilled or air-fried. Of course, like any food, fish can be made indulgent too—like when it’s coated in a thick beer batter, deep fried, and served with creamy tartar sauce. Regardless of the nutritional value of the fish recipe you choose, there’s one (okay, two) things we know for sure—that it’ll be easy and delicious! Whether you want to try something new with a mahi mahi fillet or channel your childhood with a comforting tuna casserole or fish sticks, there are fish recipes on this list to suit every palate! We even have recipes, like Ree’s sticky honey soy salmon or pillowy seared scallops, that'll convert those who might be new to seafood.
No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with our best fish recipes. And once you’ve had your fish fix, check out our favorite shrimp recipes for even more seafood fun!
Beer Battered Fish
Coated in a starchy, beer-based batter, this deep-fried fish recipe will transport you across the pond (especially when served with crispy french fries!) Pair it with tangy homemade tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and malt vinegar.
Get the Beer Battered Fish recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
Instead of spending all that time waiting for your oven to preheat, turn on your air fryer and whip up a delicious and easy salmon dinner! The salmon fillets are lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil and then cooked to perfection in just 10 minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Grilled Mahi Mahi
Elevate your grill skills from land to sea by making this easy and tasty mahi mahi! Coated in a smoky seasoning blend and cooked without heavy oils or butter, this lean white fish makes a healthy and hearty dinner.
Get the Grilled Mahi Mahi recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Crack open a can of tuna and whip up this easy and satisfying pasta salad! Drawing inspiration from traditional tuna noodle casserole, this dish contains all the classic ingredients, such as tuna, noodles, and frozen peas, with a fresh upgrade thanks to crunchy celery and bell pepper.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Salmon
This smoky salmon recipe is covered with a bold and bright marinade of apple cider vinegar, dijon, smoked paprika, and olive oil before being grilled to perfection. Make sure to oil your grill grates to preserve all that crispy salmon skin goodness.
Get the Grilled Salmon recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
If you have a hankering for fish and chips, prepare to be awed because this homemade version is just as delicious—and healthier as it's air-fried rather than deep-fried! The recipe calls for your choice of white fish, which is then coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and crisped to perfection in just 10 minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Chipotle Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon
The only thing better than a crunchy, fresh Caesar salad is one topped with grilled adobo salmon for extra protein and flavor! This classic light lunch or dinner is taken up a notch with a fiery chipotle twist.
Get Ree's Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon recipe.
Poke Bowls
If you're looking for a light and refreshing fish dish, why not make a colorful poke bowl with fresh ahi tuna? The spicy sweet poke mixture is made from sushi-grade fish, onions, sesame oil, soy sauce, and Sriracha and pairs wonderfully with sushi rice, avocado, and pickled veggies!
Get the Poke Bowls recipe.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Although a fish-based casserole may not seem like the most kid-friendly food, this easy tuna noodle dish is a nod to childhood that people of all ages will love! Top it with cheddar and crushed potato chips for a savory finishing touch.
Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
Seared Scallops
Golden brown, pan-seared scallops drizzled in butter are fancy and flavorful but easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. Serve them alongside your favorite vegetable or potato side dish for a quick and easy meal.
Get the Seared Scallops recipe.
Salmon Burgers with Sesame-Soy Glaze
Although most of the salmon dishes on this list are in fillet form, the protein and omega-3-packed fish also makes a great burger! Even non-fish lovers will enjoy the sticky, savory glaze and crunchy cucumber-ginger salad that coats the salmon patty.
Get Ree's Salmon Burgers recipe.
Parmesan Fish Sticks with Glazed Carrots
Ree's crispy and flavorful fish sticks are a nod to nostalgia! The childhood favorite is elevated with a mouth-watering parmesan breadcrumb coating and baked in the oven for a healthier alternative to fried fish sticks.
Get Ree's Parmesan Fish Sticks recipe.
Honey Soy Salmon
Whip up a sticky and sweet honey soy sauce to pour over each seared salmon fillet. Serve it over white rice and finish with a couple of squeezes of lime and more sauce for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Get Ree's Honey Soy Salmon recipe.
Fried Catfish
Crispy, fried catfish is a great way to spruce up your summer cookout with a taste of the South! To make the Southern classic, coat your catfish fillets in a cornbread mixture and carefully fry them in a cast-iron skillet.
Get the Fried Catfish recipe.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Whether it's grilled, baked, or smoked, salmon makes a versatile base for so many savory recipes! Here, smoked salmon is mixed with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a creamy blend of dairy products for a smokey yet bright companion to veggies or crackers.
Get Ree's Smoked Salmon Dip recipe.
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