You’ve made it through Lent. No bacon, no burgers, and definitely no sneaking a bite of that leftover meatloaf. Good Friday is here, and you’ve got one last meatless dinner to get through. These fish recipes make it easier to go out strong without settling for something bland or boring.

A plate of cod piccata with asparagus and lemon on it.
Cod Piccata. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Air Fryer Scallops

Air fryer scallops with green beans and rice on a plate.
Air Fryer Scallops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These scallops cook fast and come out perfectly seared with almost no effort. The lemon, garlic, and chive butter sauce makes it feel special enough to wrap up Lent on a high note without needing a reservation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops

Blackened Cod

Blackened cod served with tri color quinoa.
Blackened Cod. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A quick spice rub and a hot pan are all it takes to turn cod into something great. It’s bold, fast, and doesn’t require anything fancy, which is exactly what makes it perfect for Good Friday.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon

Turmeric salmon with cherry sauce and roasted broccoli rabe on a plate.
Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This salmon gets coated in turmeric and baked alongside broccoli for a complete meal. The cherry sauce adds just enough to make it feel like you actually tried, even though it only takes a few minutes to prep.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon

Air Fryer Garlic Ginger Shrimp

Garlic ginger shrimp on air fryer tray.
Air Fryer Garlic Ginger Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Frozen shrimp go from freezer to plate in under 20 minutes. The garlic ginger sauce keeps it interesting and makes this one of those go-to dinners that actually works when you’re short on time and still trying to keep Lent on track.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Ginger Shrimp

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Baked sockeye salmon with herb caper crust and lemon slices on a sheet pan.
Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This salmon gets topped with citrus, garlic, herbs, and capers before a quick trip in the oven. It’s light, fast, and a great way to end Lent with something that feels fresh without needing a ton of prep.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Baked Sablefish

Honey lime sablefish with jalapeño corn salsa in a bowl with a fork.
Baked Sablefish. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sablefish bakes with a honey lime glaze and gets topped with jalapeño corn salsa. It checks the no-meat box but still feels like a dinner worth looking forward to after a long week of food rules.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sablefish

Spicy Shrimp Tostadas

Spicy shrimp tostadas on a cutting board.
Spicy Shrimp Tostadas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Crispy shells piled with spicy shrimp and a creamy jalapeño avocado sauce. These tostadas are fast, easy, and give off just enough energy for a Friday night that still has Lent rules attached.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Tostadas

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Bucatini pasta with shrimp in a white bowl.
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Garlic shrimp and tomatoes tossed with bucatini make a solid weeknight dinner. It comes together quickly, doesn’t need anything complicated, and still feels like a proper meal to wrap up Lent.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta.
Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Shrimp cooks with tomatoes, spinach, olives, lemon, and feta in one skillet. It’s packed with flavor and ready in half an hour, which makes it perfect for a Good Friday dinner that doesn’t feel like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Cod Piccata

Cod piccata on a plate with asparagus and rice.
Cod Piccata. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cod version of the classic piccata skips the meat but still brings a lot of flavor. Pan-fried with lemon, shallots, and capers, it’s quick to make and works great for a Lent dinner that doesn’t feel like a downgrade.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This baked salmon recipe only needs five ingredients and about 20 minutes. It’s a no-fuss way to end Lent with something that feels like dinner, not a placeholder for meat.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Almond crusted tilapia with fresh herbs.
Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This tilapia gets pan-fried with a crispy dijon almond coating and hits the table in 10 minutes. No complicated steps, just a solid way to stick to the rules without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

A plate with air fryer salmon bites, rice, broccoli and sauce on it.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These salmon bites cook quickly and come with a soy-based dipping sauce made from the marinade. It’s easy, flavorful, and a great no-meat option for when you want something that actually feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo

Brown butter shrimp and orzo served with burst cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dinner pairs brown butter shrimp with creamy orzo, basil, corn, and tomatoes. It’s not hard to make but still feels like the kind of meal that ends Lent on a better note.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo

Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

Maple mustard air fryer frozen salmon filet with broccolini on a plate.
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Frozen salmon goes straight into the air fryer and gets coated in maple mustard sauce. No defrosting, no prep, just a fast dinner that tastes like you didn’t give up on Good Friday.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

Blackened Mahi Mahi

Blackened mahi mahi over white rice.
Blackened Mahi Mahi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mahi mahi cooks fast under the broiler and gets coated in a quick homemade seasoning mix. It’s simple, fast, and a great way to close out Lent with something bold but easy.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp

Mango shrimp served with white rice on a white plate with spoon.
Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dish comes together in 20 minutes and balances sweet mango with a little heat. It’s perfect for when you’re tired of fish but still need to stick to the no-meat rule one last time.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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