Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Healthy Meals 24 Healthy Fish and Shrimp Recipes for Any Night of the Week No takeout tonight! Liven up any meal with loads of flavor. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 20, 2024 Close 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. 01 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 24 Parsley-Garlic Salmon Victor Protasio Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help decrease inflammation. Plus, it's a great source of lean protein—just one serving of this recipe has 25 grams. Pair with your favorite roasted veggie, like broccoli or asparagus, and a serving of quinoa for a well-rounded healthy meal. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 24 Fast Italian Fish Stew Caitlin Bensel 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. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 24 Pappardelle With Shrimp and Asparagus Johnny Miller 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. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 24 Seared Tilapia With Watercress and Mango Salad Quentin Bacon 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. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 24 Braised Fish With Spicy Tomato Sauce Greg DuPree 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. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 24 Grilled Shrimp Tacos James Baigrie 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. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 24 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! GET THE RECIPE 12 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 24 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. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 24 Tuna Niçoise Baguette Jen Causey 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. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 24 Smoky Fish Chowder Hans Gissinger A tomato-based broth keeps this delicious chowder low in saturated fat and calories, while the chorizo, potatoes, and whitefish add richness so you won't feel like you're missing out. When it comes to the fish, it's dealer's choice— cod, sole, flounder, snapper, halibut, or wild Alaska pollock—any will do. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 24 Shrimp and Chorizo Skillet Supper Greg DuPree Spice up the week with some smoky chorizo and extra-large shrimp. Serve it over tomato-braised chickpeas and arugula to get your protein and your greens. The result is a simple yet healthy meal. Better yet? You can keep the leftovers for another night of the week; use the chorizo and shrimp as a topping whether you're making some quick pasta or rice. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 24 Baked Seafood Casserole With Shrimp and Tilapia Hans Gissinger With about half a pound of peeled and deveined medium shrimp (without tails) and tilapia, you can whip up this baked seafood casserole. Top it with creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy bread crumbs. Save some of the dry white wine you use to cook the veggies for a glass that pairs well with the dish. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 24 Potato-Crusted Arctic Char Caitlin Bensel The crispy potato-crusted part of this arctic char (made from hash browns) may not be the healthiest way to cook fish, but the filet itself is healthy for you. This crust will work on a variety of fish, too, so you can pick and choose what you prefer. Pair it with veggies to get your greens, too. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 24 Grilled Swordfish and Asparagus With Parsley-Caper Salsa Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen You can't get much healthier than this grilled swordfish and asparagus meal. Swordfish has a hearty texture that's more robust than whitefish, and grilling the swordfish steak will give them that beautiful bit of char. The parsley-caper salsa brings some salty zing to the dish, and grilled lemons top the whole dish off with a fresh finish. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 24 Shrimp Tacos With Caramelized Pineapple Jennifer Causey Made with chili powder, hot sauce, and lime juice, this taco recipe has a nice balance of heat and acid. The grilled pineapples cool everything off with their juicy sweetness, and a sprinkling of crunchy cabbage and cilantro brings freshness. You can also make this gluten-free by skipping the tortillas and opting for a rice bowl or lettuce instead. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 24 Glazed Salmon Burgers Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart Thanks to the combination of sweet teriyaki sauce, spicy wasabi, and creamy mayonnaise, this burger is a party for your taste buds. Pickled cucumbers, scallions, and Bibb lettuce bring freshness, while a potato bun provides the cloud this dream of a burger deserves. Short on time? You can make both the pickled cukes and the salmon patties in advance and refrigerate for up to two days. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 24 Green Gazpacho With Smoked Trout Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This refreshing gazpacho recipe that swaps tomatoes for cucumbers and combines them with salty feta cheese, bright cilantro, and creamy yogurt is a zesty and herby delight. To enhance the flavors, garlic and red wine vinegar are essential, and a drizzle of olive oil is added to emulsify the soup. When topped with hot-smoked trout fillets, additional cucumber, and cilantro, this green gazpacho becomes a fulfilling summertime meal bursting with protein and healthy goodness. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 24 Marinated Shrimp and Succotash Toasts Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Fresh and vibrant succotash made of edamame, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn are the perfect complement to the marinated shrimp in this no-cook seafood recipe. Jarred pesto further simplifies everything while adding a salty and herby touch. Toasted sourdough is the vessel for all of these bright, delicious ingredients, and a sprinkling of fresh basil leaves completes the dish. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 24 Pan-Seared Scallops With Melted Leeks Caitlin Bensel Melted leeks, scallops, and spicy olive relish take 20 minutes to mix together for this delicious seafood meal. You serve the scallops over the leeks with olive mixture and parsley. Pair it with a crisp white wine to enjoy a boozy lunch. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit