20 Better-Than-Restaurant Seafood Dinners You Can Make At Home

Seafood doesn’t need to be complicated to taste incredible. With the right ingredients and a few simple techniques, it can become your favorite weeknight or weekend dinner.

These dishes are packed with the brightness and flavor you expect from your favorite seafood restaurant – no reservation needed. From buttery shrimp to silky scallops and bold curries, this list brings the ocean straight to your table.

Whether you’re craving comfort food or something fresh and light, there’s something here to savor.

Information is for general inspiration and education, not medical or dietary advice. Cooking times and results vary by equipment and ingredients; follow food safety guidance and confirm seafood doneness with a thermometer. Those with allergies or special diets should read labels and avoid cross-contamination. Ingredient availability and nutrition can differ by brand and region.

1. Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp

Tender shrimp swim in a buttery garlic sauce with lemon juice and parsley. It’s fast, fragrant, and ready in under 15 minutes.

Melt butter in a skillet and add minced garlic. Toss in peeled shrimp, cook until pink, squeeze over fresh lemon, and garnish with parsley.

2. Baked Salmon With Dill Sauce

This dish pairs flaky salmon with a cool, creamy yogurt sauce filled with fresh dill and lemon zest. It’s light, elegant, and satisfying.

Season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes. Serve with a sauce made from Greek yogurt, chopped dill, and lemon juice.

3. Creamy Tuscan Scallops

Pan-seared scallops rest in a velvety sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and cream. The sweetness of the scallops shines through every bite.

Sear scallops in olive oil until golden. Remove, then sauté garlic, tomatoes, and spinach in cream. Return scallops to the pan and spoon over pasta or rice.

4. Grilled Swordfish Steaks

Firm, meaty swordfish holds up beautifully on the grill, soaking in lemon, garlic, and olive oil like a summer breeze.

Marinate swordfish steaks in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes. Grill 4–5 minutes per side until just cooked through.

5. Cajun Blackened Tilapia

Tilapia gets a fiery crust from Cajun seasoning and a hot skillet. The outside crisps while the inside stays juicy and mild.

Coat fillets in Cajun spice, then sear in a cast iron pan with oil for 3–4 minutes per side. Serve with rice or sautéed greens.

6. Shrimp Tacos With Cabbage Slaw

Spicy shrimp, crunchy slaw, and creamy yogurt-lime sauce fill soft tortillas with color and flavor. It’s taco night, elevated.

Toss shrimp in chili powder, garlic, cumin, and lime juice. Sauté until pink, then layer into tortillas with shredded cabbage and a dollop of yogurt sauce.

7. Seafood Paella

Golden rice flavored with saffron and garlic holds shrimp, mussels, and peas in a showstopping skillet that’s rich and comforting.

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then stir in rice and a pinch of saffron. Add broth and seafood, simmer until rice is tender.

8. Lobster Mac And Cheese

Creamy cheddar and gruyère wrap around pasta and chunks of buttery lobster. It’s luxurious comfort food for your coziest nights.

Boil elbow macaroni and make a roux-based cheese sauce. Stir in cooked lobster meat, bake in a casserole dish, and broil until bubbly on top.

9. Crispy Fish Sandwiches

A crunchy panko crust makes these fish fillets irresistible. Paired with zesty mayo and crisp lettuce, they taste better than takeout.

Dredge fish fillets in flour, egg, and panko. Pan-fry until golden, then serve on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, and lemony mayo.

10. Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

Coconut milk and red curry paste make a silky, spicy base for tender shrimp. Fragrant and full of warmth, it’s comfort in a bowl.

Sauté onion and garlic, stir in red curry paste, then add coconut milk. Simmer shrimp until pink and serve with rice and lime wedges.

11. Miso-Glazed Cod

Sweet, salty, and perfectly caramelized, this miso-glazed cod melts in your mouth. It’s simple, clean, and full of umami flavor.

Mix white miso, soy sauce, mirin, and honey. Brush on cod fillets and broil for 8–10 minutes until golden and flaky.

12. Tuna Steaks With Avocado Salsa

Seared tuna pairs with a chunky salsa of avocado, lime, and red onion. The result is clean, cool, and bursting with brightness.

Sear seasoned tuna steaks for 1–2 minutes per side. Combine avocado, lime, cilantro, and onion for salsa and spoon over the fish.

13. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

These bite-sized mushrooms are filled with sweet crab, herbs, and a touch of lemon. Perfect for a starter or a light dinner.

Mix crab with cream cheese, parsley, garlic, and breadcrumbs. Fill mushroom caps, bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

14. Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Creamy alfredo sauce clings to pasta and juicy shrimp in this lighter version of a decadent classic. It’s rich, but not heavy.

Sauté shrimp with garlic and olive oil. Make a sauce with milk, Parmesan, and a touch of cream. Toss with cooked pasta and serve hot.

15. Pesto Baked Halibut

Fresh basil pesto tops flaky halibut for a dish that’s herbaceous, bright, and full of Mediterranean flavor.

Spread pesto over halibut fillets and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and roasted vegetables.

16. New England Clam Chowder

Creamy, briny, and full of tender clams and potatoes, this chowder brings the coast home. It’s soothing and full of depth.

Sauté onion and celery in butter, add potatoes and broth, then stir in clams and milk. Simmer gently until thickened and hot.

17. Spicy Seafood Gumbo

A deep, smoky roux sets the stage for shrimp, crab, and okra in this Louisiana-style stew. It’s bold, rich, and hearty.

Make a roux with oil and flour, add bell peppers, celery, onion, and garlic. Stir in stock, okra, seafood, and spices. Simmer until thick.

18. Garlic Butter Baked Clams

These clams bake in a bath of garlic, butter, and breadcrumbs until the tops are golden. They’re small, but unforgettable.

Arrange clams in a dish, top with melted butter, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes until bubbling.

19. Salmon Burgers with Lemon Aioli

Flaky salmon patties meet a zesty lemon-garlic aioli in this fresh take on the burger. It’s fast, lean, and full of flavor.

Pulse raw salmon, breadcrumbs, mustard, and herbs in a processor. Form patties, sear in oil, and serve on buns with lemon aioli.

20. Mediterranean Baked Fish

Tomatoes, olives, garlic, and herbs bring bold flavor to tender white fish. It’s rustic, healthy, and baked all in one dish.

Layer fish in a baking dish with sliced tomatoes, olives, garlic, and oregano. Drizzle with oil and bake at 375°F until flaky.