12 Quick and Easy Seafood Recipes for Busy Nights 2025

Busy nights call for fast, delicious dinners, and seafood fits the bill perfectly. These 12 recipes deliver fresh flavors in 30 minutes or less, using simple ingredients you likely have on hand.

From juicy shrimp to flaky fish, each dish offers a quick fix without sacrificing taste.

Whether you’re a seafood fan or just need a break from the usual, these meals bring variety and ease to your table. Let’s get cooking!

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp delivers juicy shrimp coated in a rich, garlicky sauce. This dish takes 15 minutes to make and pairs well with rice or bread.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Place shrimp in the skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
5. Stir in lemon juice and mix well.
6. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve hot.

Lemon Herb Baked Cod

Lemon Herb Baked Cod offers tender fish with a bright, zesty flavor. This 20-minute recipe keeps cleanup easy with one pan.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the fillets.
4. Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper on top.
5. Lay lemon slices over each fillet.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
7. Serve warm with your favorite side.

Spicy Tuna Tacos

Spicy Tuna Tacos bring bold flavors with a kick of heat. Ready in 15 minutes, these tacos make dinner fun and fast.

Ingredients

• 2 cans tuna (5 ounces each, drained)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 small tortillas
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup salsa

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add tuna, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the skillet.
3. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
4. Warm tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds per side.
5. Spoon tuna mixture into tortillas.
6. Top with lettuce and salsa.
7. Serve immediately.

Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice turns leftover rice into a savory meal. This 20-minute dish blends shrimp, veggies, and soy sauce for a quick win.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• 2 cups cooked rice (cold)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 green onions (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp.
3. Add remaining oil to the skillet.
4. Stir in vegetables and cook for 3 minutes.
5. Push vegetables to one side and pour eggs into the skillet.
6. Scramble eggs for 1-2 minutes until set.
7. Add rice, shrimp, and soy sauce. Stir well.
8. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
9. Sprinkle green onions on top and serve.

Grilled Salmon with Dill

Grilled Salmon with Dill offers flaky fish with a fresh herb twist. This 15-minute recipe shines with minimal prep.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon (cut into wedges)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush salmon fillets with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle dill, salt, and pepper over the fillets.
4. Place salmon on the grill, skin side down.
5. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
6. Squeeze lemon wedges over the salmon and serve.

Clam Chowder in a Hurry

Clam Chowder in a Hurry delivers creamy comfort in 25 minutes. This hearty soup uses canned clams for speed.

Ingredients

• 2 cans clams (6.5 ounces each, with juice)
• 2 cups potatoes (diced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.
3. Stir in potatoes, broth, and clam juice from cans.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until potatoes soften.
5. Add clams, cream, salt, and pepper.
6. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Serve hot with bread or crackers.

Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli

Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli pack sweet crab into crispy patties. This 20-minute dish feels fancy but stays simple.

Ingredients

• 1 pound crab meat
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (for aioli)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix crab meat, breadcrumbs, egg, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, mustard, and salt in a bowl.
2. Form mixture into 4 patties.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
5. Stir 1/4 cup mayonnaise and lemon juice in a small bowl for aioli.
6. Serve crab cakes with aioli on the side.

Mussels in White Wine

Mussels in White Wine brings a light, flavorful seafood fix in 15 minutes. It’s quick and perfect with crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds mussels (cleaned)
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in white wine and bring to a simmer.
4. Add mussels and salt, then cover the pot.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes until mussels open.
6. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve with bread.

Tilapia with Tomato Salsa

Tilapia with Tomato Salsa pairs flaky fish with a fresh topping. This 20-minute recipe keeps dinner light and tasty.

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup tomatoes (diced)
• 1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season tilapia with salt and pepper.
3. Cook fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until done.
4. Mix tomatoes, onion, and lime juice in a bowl for salsa.
5. Spoon salsa over cooked tilapia.
6. Serve immediately.

Scallop Stir-Fry

Scallop Stir-Fry blends tender scallops with crisp veggies. This 15-minute dish bursts with flavor and color.

Ingredients

• 1 pound scallops
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over high heat.
2. Add scallops and cook for 2 minutes per side. Remove scallops.
3. Add remaining oil to the skillet.
4. Stir in bell peppers, broccoli, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes.
5. Return scallops to the skillet and add soy sauce.
6. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Coconut Shrimp Curry

Coconut Shrimp Curry delivers creamy, spicy goodness in 25 minutes. This dish warms you up with every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 can coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup spinach (fresh)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink. Remove shrimp.
3. Pour coconut milk into the skillet and stir in curry powder and salt.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add shrimp and spinach to the skillet.
6. Cook for 3 minutes until spinach wilts.
7. Stir in lime juice and serve with rice.

Pan-Seared Halibut

Pan-Seared Halibut offers firm, flaky fish with a golden crust. This 15-minute recipe keeps things simple yet delicious.

Ingredients

• 4 halibut fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 lemon (cut into wedges)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season halibut with salt and pepper.
3. Place fillets in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
4. Add butter to the skillet and spoon over the fish for 1 minute.
5. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Conclusion

There you have it—12 quick and easy seafood recipes to save your busy nights! These dishes prove that fast meals can still pack big flavor, whether you’re craving creamy chowder or zesty tacos.

Pick one to try tonight, and enjoy a stress-free dinner that’s as satisfying as it is simple. Happy cooking, and here’s to more tasty evenings ahead!