Fish is a great choice for dinner because it’s healthy, tasty, and can be made in many ways.
Whether you are cooking for a special event or a regular night, there’s a fish recipe for everyone.
This blog will explore 19 amazing fish recipes to make your dinner table special.
Why Choose Fish for Dinner?
- Health Benefits: Fish is full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and low in fat. It’s perfect for a healthy diet.
- Quick Cooking: Most fish recipes can be made in under 30 minutes. This is great for busy weeknights.
- Sustainability: Choose eco-friendly seafood to help the planet.
19 Must-Try Fish Recipes for Dinner (See List Below)
Here is a complete list of recipes along with their ingredients and instructions:
1. Baked Lemon Herb Salmon
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle garlic, and top with lemon slices.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is flaky.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
2. Crispy Fried Fish Fillets
Ingredients:
- 4 white fish fillets
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions:
- Coat fish fillets in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry fish for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with tartar sauce.
3. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Garlic Butter
Ingredients:
- 4 Mahi-Mahi fillets
- 3 tbsp butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Mix butter, garlic, and lemon juice.
- Brush fillets with the butter mixture and grill for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve with additional lemon wedges.
4. 15-Minute Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Instructions:
- Mix soy sauce, honey, and ginger in a bowl.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear salmon for 3 minutes per side.
- Add teriyaki sauce to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Serve with rice or steamed vegetables.
5. One-Pan Tilapia with Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1 zucchini (sliced)
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange tilapia and vegetables on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish is flaky.
6. Fish Tacos with Lime Crema
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white fish (cod or tilapia)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 small tortillas
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 lime (juiced)
Instructions:
- Season fish with salt and pepper and cook in a skillet with olive oil.
- Mix sour cream with lime juice for crema.
- Assemble tacos with fish, crema, and your favorite toppings (e.g., cabbage, salsa).
7. Thai Coconut Fish Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white fish (cut into pieces)
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 tbsp red curry paste
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
- Heat curry paste in a skillet until fragrant.
- Add coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
- Add fish and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Garnish with basil and serve over rice.
8. Mediterranean Baked Cod
Ingredients:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup olives
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place cod in a baking dish and top with tomatoes and olives.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle oregano.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cod is cooked through.
9. Miso Glazed Halibut
Ingredients:
- 2 halibut fillets
- 2 tbsp miso paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- Mix miso paste, soy sauce, and brown sugar into a glaze.
- Brush halibut with the glaze and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Broil in the oven for 6-8 minutes until caramelized.
10. Homemade Fish Sticks
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white fish (cut into strips)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Coat fish strips in eggs and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika.
- Arrange on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
11. Fish Nuggets with Honey Mustard
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white fish (cut into cubes)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp mustard
Instructions:
- Coat fish cubes in breadcrumbs.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.
- Mix honey and mustard for dipping sauce.
12. Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 can tuna (drained)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Instructions:
- Combine pasta, tuna, cheese, and soup in a baking dish.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until bubbly.
13. Panko-Crusted Trout
Ingredients:
- 2 trout fillets
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp dill (chopped)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
Instructions:
- Coat trout with breadcrumbs and dill.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.
14. Blackened Catfish
Ingredients:
- 2 catfish fillets
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Rub fillets with Cajun seasoning.
- Sear in a hot skillet with olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve with rice or vegetables.
15. Fish Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
- 2 bell peppers (halved and seeded)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ lb white fish (cooked and flaked)
- 1 tbsp parsley
Instructions:
- Mix rice, fish, and parsley.
- Stuff bell peppers and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
16. New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients:
- 2 cups clams (cooked and chopped)
- 2 cups potatoes (diced)
- 1 cup cream
- 2 strips bacon (chopped)
Instructions:
- Cook bacon in a pot, then add potatoes and clams.
- Add cream and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
17. Seafood Paella
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white fish (cut into chunks)
- 1 cup shrimp
- 2 cups Arborio rice
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 4 cups chicken or seafood stock
- 1 cup peas
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan.
- Sauté red bell pepper, then add rice and saffron. Stir for 2 minutes.
- Pour in stock and bring to a simmer.
- Add fish, shrimp, and peas. Cook until rice absorbs the liquid, about 20 minutes.
- Serve warm and garnish with lemon wedges.
18. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions:
- Mix honey, soy sauce, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Sear salmon in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Pour glaze over salmon and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or rice.
19. Cajun Grilled Swordfish
Ingredients:
- 2 swordfish steaks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 lemon (cut into wedges)
Instructions:
- Brush swordfish with olive oil and sprinkle Cajun seasoning on both sides.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill steaks for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and a side salad.
Table Summary of Recipes
Recipe | Key Ingredients | Cooking Method | Estimated Time |
---|---|---|---|
Baked Lemon Herb Salmon | Salmon, Lemon, Garlic | Baking | 15 min |
Crispy Fried Fish Fillets | White Fish, Breadcrumbs, Oil | Frying | 10 min |
Grilled Mahi-Mahi | Mahi-Mahi, Garlic Butter | Grilling | 10 min |
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon | Salmon, Soy Sauce, Honey | Sautéing | 15 min |
One-Pan Tilapia | Tilapia, Vegetables, Olive Oil | Baking | 20 min |
Fish Tacos | White Fish, Tortillas, Lime Crema | Sautéing | 20 min |
Thai Coconut Fish Curry | White Fish, Coconut Milk, Basil | Simmering | 15 min |
Mediterranean Baked Cod | Cod, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives | Baking | 25 min |
Miso Glazed Halibut | Halibut, Miso Paste, Soy Sauce | Broiling | 10 min |
Homemade Fish Sticks | White Fish, Breadcrumbs, Paprika | Baking | 15 min |
Fish Nuggets | White Fish, Breadcrumbs, Honey | Baking | 12 min |
Cheesy Tuna Casserole | Tuna, Pasta, Cheese | Baking | 20 min |
Panko-Crusted Trout | Trout, Panko, Lemon | Baking | 15 min |
Blackened Catfish | Catfish, Cajun Seasoning, Olive Oil | Searing | 10 min |
Fish Stuffed Peppers | White Fish, Bell Peppers, Rice | Baking | 20 min |
New England Clam Chowder | Clams, Cream, Potatoes, Bacon | Simmering | 20 min |
Seafood Paella | Fish, Shrimp, Arborio Rice, Saffron | Simmering | 30 min |
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon | Salmon, Honey, Garlic | Sautéing | 15 min |
Cajun Grilled Swordfish | Swordfish, Cajun Seasoning | Grilling | 10 min |
FAQ: Must-Try Fish Recipes for Dinner
1. What types of fish are best for these recipes?
You can pick from many fish types like salmon, cod, tilapia, mahi-mahi, halibut, and flounder. Choose based on what you like and what’s available. Salmon is great for baking or grilling. White fish like tilapia and cod are perfect for frying or in curries.
2. Can I substitute frozen fish for fresh fish?
Yes, frozen fish works well in most recipes. Just thaw it in the fridge before cooking. It will taste better and have a better texture. Remember, frozen fish might need a bit longer to cook.
3. How can I make these fish recipes more flavorful?
Try different herbs and spices to add flavor. Use fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or basil. Spices like paprika, cumin, or Cajun seasoning also work well. Marinating the fish in sauces like teriyaki or miso adds depth.
4. Are these fish recipes easy to prepare?
Most recipes are simple and quick, perfect for busy nights. Recipes like Baked Lemon Herb Salmon and One-Pan Tilapia with Vegetables need little prep and are easy to customize.
5. Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Some recipes, like Cheesy Tuna Casserole or New England Clam Chowder, can be made ahead. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat when you’re ready to serve.
6. How can I make these recipes more sustainable?
Choose fish that’s sustainably caught, like MSC-certified fish. Look for local fish markets that follow eco-friendly practices.
7. Can I make these fish recipes without a grill?
Yes! Many grilled fish recipes, like Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Garlic Butter, can be cooked in a skillet or oven. Just follow the pan-searing or baking instructions for a similar taste.
8. Are these recipes kid-friendly?
Yes, many recipes, like Fish Tacos with Lime Crema and Homemade Fish Sticks, are great for kids. Adjust the seasoning to their taste. Serve with their favorite sides or dipping sauces.
9. How do I know when the fish is cooked through?
Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and looks opaque. Cooking times vary by fish type and thickness. But most fish fillets cook in 10 to 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
10. Can I substitute non-fish ingredients in these recipes?
For vegetarians or those avoiding seafood, use tofu, tempeh, or hearty vegetables like portobello mushrooms. Adjust cooking times to match the substitute’s texture and consistency.