Don't bother making a reservation at a seafood restaurant. These quick and easy dinner recipes are on the table in 20 minutes (or less).
The Fastest Seafood Dinners We’ve Ever Made
Updated on Apr. 04, 2023
Garlic Lemon Shrimp
You’ll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
1/39
2/39
Crab-Stuffed Avocado
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 filled avocado half: 325 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein.
3/39
Crumb-Topped Sole
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for a low-carb supper that’s ready in a pinch? These buttery sole fillets have just a dab of rich sauce topped with toasty bread crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 267 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
4/39
Stir-Fried Scallops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Scallops meet mild tomato in this sublime stovetop supper. Try serving the saucy mixture over rice or angel hair pasta, and garnish with cilantro if you like. —Stephany Gocobacki, San Rafael, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 213 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat.
5/39
Tuna Nicoise Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Like the French, I pack my classic Nicoise salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps the dish come together fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 327 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 206mg cholesterol, 691mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 starch.
6/39
Baked Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've decided to cook healthier for my family, and that includes having more fish at home. This is an amazing recipe, and it's fast, too! —Hope Stewart, Raleigh, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 224 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat.
7/39
Salad with Salmon
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 265 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 261mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
8/39
Split-Second Shrimp
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use my microwave to hurry along the prep of this super fast shrimp scampi. It’s deliciously buttery and full of garlic flavor. We love it as a main dish, but it makes an excellent appetizer, too. — Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked shrimp: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
9/39
Breaded Sea Scallops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love them. He says my breaded version is the best he’s ever had. A tip I learned was to put them on a paper-towel-topped plate to soak up excess oil. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
3 scallops: 454 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1262mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.
10/39
Shrimp Ramen
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A package of store-bought ramen noodles speeds up assembly of this colorful broth with shrimp and carrots. My mother passed the recipe on to me. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 148 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 857mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
11/39
Crab Cakes
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller. The crabmeat's sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. —Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 crab cake: 282 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
12/39
Crispy Dill Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 256 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch.
13/39
Cajun Shrimp
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These zippy shrimp bring a lot of pizazz to the table. Use as much or as little cayenne pepper as you'd like, depending on your family's tastes. We love ours served alongside rice pilaf. —Donna Thomason, El Paso, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked shrimp: 131 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
14/39
Tuna Wrap
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh, crunchy veggies, these colorful wraps have sensational flavor—and they're good for you, too. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 312 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
15/39
Garlic Salmon Linguine
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 489 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 693mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
16/39
Pressure-Cooker Tomato-Poached Halibut
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple halibut with a burst of lemon comes together easily. Serve it with bread or, even better, try it with polenta or angel hair pasta. —Danna Rogers, Westport, CT
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 1 cup sauce: 215 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
17/39
Lemon Shrimp with Parmesan Rice
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi, where rice, garlic and seafood are staples of Gulf Coast cuisine. This easy shrimp and rice dish is a longtime family favorite that's ready in minutes. —Amie Overby, Reno, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup shrimp with 3/4 cup rice: 438 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 191mg cholesterol, 908mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
18/39
Honey Walleye
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in my family. —Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked fish: 389 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
19/39
Stir-Fried Shrimp and Mushrooms
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a tiring but beautiful day of fishing, this is a fast and delicious way to serve our famous Key West pink shrimp. It's always a big hit with guests. —Jeanne Wolfort, Summerland Key, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 132 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 168mg cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
20/39
Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 319 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
21/39
Mediterranean Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I recently became a fan of tilapia. The mild taste makes it easy to top with our favorite ingredients. And it’s low in calories and fat. What’s not to love? —Robin Brenneman, Hilliard, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 197 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
22/39
Tilapia with Cucumber Relish
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband isn't big on fish, but he enjoys this mild-tasting tilapia. The relish adds garden-fresh flavor and pretty color to the browned fillets. —Mary VanHollebeke, Wyandotte, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 1/4 cup relish: 181 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 384mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat.
23/39
Orzo Shrimp Stew
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I really enjoy seafood, so I don’t skimp on shrimp in this mildly seasoned stew. We also adore the broccoli, tomatoes and pasta. —Lisa Stinger, Hamilton, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 387 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 875mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein.
24/39
Lemon Basil Salmon
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband came up with this easy foil-packet recipe for flaky, fork-tender salmon. This recipe is a winner. —Marianne Bauman Modesto, CA
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 274 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
25/39
Shrimp Fried Rice
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delectable shrimp fried rice is filled with color and taste that makes it vanish fast. Our family of four can't get enough of it. Bacon adds crispness and a hint of heartiness. Consider it when you need a different main dish or brunch item. —Sandra Thompson, White Hall, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 332 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 236mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein.
26/39
Pesto Halibut
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The mildness of halibut contrasts perfectly with the robust flavor of pesto in this recipe. It takes only minutes to get the fish ready for the oven, leaving you plenty of time to get started on your side dishes. Nearly anything goes well with this entree. —April Showalter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 188 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 481mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat.
27/39
Lemon-Butter Tilapia with Almonds
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sometimes I want a nice meal without a ton of effort or wait time. Thankfully, I have this lemony, buttery fish that's super fast and totally tasty. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with about 2 tablespoons sauce and 2 tablespoons almonds: 269 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
28/39
Spiced Salmon
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a wonderful way to enjoy healthy salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked salmon: 256 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
29/39
Lemon-Herb Salmon Toasts
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Quick, light and tasty, my salmon toasts make irresistible finger food. —Christie Wells, Lake Villa, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 63 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
30/39
Scallops in Sage Cream
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to show off the ocean freshness of the scallops I bought on the dock from a local fisherman, so I used basic ingredients to complement them. With sage and shallots, this is the best cream sauce for scallops I've found. —Joan Churchill, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 408 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
31/39
Salmon with Spinach & White Beans
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 1/2 cup spinach mixture : 317 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
32/39
Sesame Cilantro Shrimp
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On days when I don't feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal in the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup shrimp mixture (calculated without rice): 153 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 461mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
33/39
Cod Tacos
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These bright tacos take me on an instant trip to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family's most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 506 calories, 38g fat (8g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 852mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
34/39
Smoked Salmon Egg Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Served on croissants, these grown-up sandwiches offer a great way to use leftover Easter eggs. Salmon adds smoky flavor. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 533 calories, 40g fat (11g saturated fat), 265mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
35/39
Tarragon Tuna Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's surprising how a few herbs can brighten up tuna salad. Made with reduced-fat mayonnaise, this version gets its zip from mustard. It makes a terrific light lunch or Sunday brunch dish. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 151 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 373mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
36/39
Thai Salmon Brown Rice Bowls
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This speedy salmon recipe couldn't be any easier. The store-bought sesame ginger dressing saves time and adds extra flavor to this healthy dish. — Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 486 calories, 21g fat (4g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
37/39
Tilapia with Corn Salsa
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves fish, and this quick and tasty dish is very popular at my house. Though it tastes like it takes a long time, it cooks in minutes under the broiler. We enjoy it with lemon wedges with couscous on the side. —Brenda Coffey, Singer Island, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3/4 cup salsa: 354 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 934mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 38g protein.
38/39
Tomato-Basil Baked Fish
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe works successfully with many kinds of fish, while the rest of the ingredients are things you’re likely to have on hand. Baked fish is so simple and so good for you. I make this often! —Annie Hicks, Zephyrhills, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 121 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
39/39
Tuna Burger
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family members were so accustomed to typical beef burgers that they were hesitant to try these when I first made them. Any skepticism disappeared after just one bite. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 417 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
