7 Summer Seafood Recipes You Can Whip Up in No Time

Ah, summer—the perfect time to indulge in the freshest seafood delights! As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, there’s nothing quite like savoring the flavors of the ocean. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or craving a light, refreshing meal, these seven seafood recipes are guaranteed to impress your taste buds and keep you cool all season long. From succulent shrimp to mouthwatering salmon, let’s dive into these quick and easy dishes that capture the essence of summer.

1. Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Thread shrimp onto skewers and brush with the lemon garlic marinade.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
4. Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

2. Mango Avocado Ceviche

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh white fish (such as tilapia or cod), diced
• 1 cup diced mango
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine diced fish, mango, avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the fish is evenly coated with lime juice.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Serve chilled with tortilla chips for a refreshing appetizer or light meal.

3. Grilled Salmon with Herb Butter

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as dill, parsley, and chives)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, chopped herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, then place on the grill, skin side down.
4. Grill salmon for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly charred.
5. Top each salmon fillet with a dollop of herb butter and serve hot.

4. Summer Seafood Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta (such as fusilli or penne)
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
• 1 cup cooked crabmeat, flaked
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped shrimp, crabmeat, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, basil, and feta cheese.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss gently to combine, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Coconut Lime Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small corn tortillas
• Shredded cabbage, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro for topping

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine coconut milk, lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Add shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat. Let marinate for 15-20 minutes.
3. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
4. Warm tortillas on the grill pan for 20-30 seconds per side.
5. Fill each tortilla with cooked shrimp, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges.

6. Grilled Halibut with Peach Salsa

Ingredients:

• 4 halibut fillets
• 2 ripe peaches, diced
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Season halibut fillets with salt and pepper.
3. In a bowl, combine diced peaches, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the salsa.
4. Grill halibut fillets for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through and flaky.
5. Top grilled halibut with peach salsa and serve hot.

7. Summer Seafood Paella

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 pound mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 1 pound clams, cleaned
• 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound chorizo sausage, sliced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• Lemon wedges for serving
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in Arborio rice, chicken or seafood broth, smoked paprika, and saffron threads. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add mussels, clams, shrimp, chorizo sausage, and frozen peas to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until seafood is cooked through and rice is tender.
5. Serve hot with lemon wedges and chopped parsley.

With these seven sensational seafood recipes at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to embrace the flavors of summer with ease. From grilled favorites to vibrant salads, there’s something for every seafood lover to enjoy. So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor the taste of the ocean in every bite. Cheers to a delicious summer filled with unforgettable meals!