21 Seafood Dinners You Can Pull Off Midweek

Seafood gets a bad rap as a weeknight dinner, but it shouldn’t. It actually defrosts faster than just about any other protein, and most types cook in under ten minutes. You don’t have to marinate anything for hours or babysit it on the stove. In fact, half the time, you can throw it straight from the freezer into the pan or air fryer and still get something solid. It’s faster, easier, and way less stressful than people think. These recipes prove seafood can absolutely hold its own on a busy weeknight.

Blackened Cod

This blackened cod keeps it simple—just spices, heat, and a quick sear. You get bold flavor without any weird steps or prep drama. It’s perfect when you want to feel like you actually cooked something but still eat in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Air Fryer Garlic Ginger Shrimp

These shrimp go straight from freezer to air fryer and hit the table in under 20 minutes. The garlic and ginger punch through without needing a marinade, and it’s one of those rare weeknight wins that feels faster than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Ginger Shrimp

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These salmon bites are marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then crisped up in the air fryer. They’re bite-sized, packed with flavor, and take almost no effort. Great for when you want seafood that doesn’t slow you down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Honey Lime Sablefish

This is one of those dinners that looks like you planned it all week. The fish cooks fast and gets topped with a jalapeño-corn salsa that actually wakes things up. If you’re over bland meals but still short on time, this one’s solid.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lime Sablefish

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

You get flaky salmon with a herbed garlic-caper crust in under 15 minutes. No long marinades or fancy techniques. Just quick prep, fast bake, and a result that makes it feel like a win.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Blackened Mahi Mahi

If you’re in a dinner rut, this mahi mahi is a great way to snap out of it. Just coat it in seasoning, broil for a few minutes, and you’re done. It hits that sweet spot between quick and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Cod Piccata

This one’s lemony, briny, and comes together fast. You’re not babysitting it on the stove all night, and the sauce makes it feel like more than just another piece of fish. It’s a perfect midweek dinner that tastes like you know what you’re doing.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata

Air Fryer Crispy Fish Sticks

These homemade fish sticks actually get crispy without deep frying and blow frozen ones out of the water. They’re easy to prep and come with a sharp dijon sauce that gives it all some edge. Great for kids, adults, or anyone who’s over sad dinners.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Fish Sticks

Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo

Brown butter and parmesan make this feel like something from a restaurant, but it’s done in under 30 minutes. The shrimp cook fast, and the orzo pulls it all together. It’s perfect when you want dinner to feel like more than just survival.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo

Air Fryer Scallops

You can get scallops that are actually seared and not rubbery—all in the air fryer. Toss them in lemon garlic butter and they’re good to go. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to shake things up without overdoing it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops

Pesto Salmon

This one’s as hands-off as it gets. Slather pesto on a piece of salmon, bake, and you’re eating in less than 25 minutes. It’s a great way to get something flavorful on the table without even thinking about it.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Shrimp Lo Mein

This lo mein comes together in 20 minutes and tastes like it took way longer. It’s got shrimp, veggies, and a sauce that does all the work. A great way to skip delivery without giving up flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein

Bacon Wrapped Salmon

This one feels like it belongs on a dinner date menu, but it’s as simple as wrapping salmon in bacon and baking it. You get crispy edges, flaky fish, and a plate that looks way more impressive than the effort it takes.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon

Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

No defrosting required. You take frozen salmon, throw on some sauce, and the air fryer does the rest. It’s the perfect safety-net dinner when you forgot to plan anything.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon

Everything cooks on one pan and still feels fresh. The salmon’s rubbed with turmeric and garlic, and it gets topped with a cherry sauce that somehow works. Great for when you want dinner without a sink full of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

This pasta is coated in garlic butter with juicy shrimp and sweet tomatoes. It’s got flavor, texture, and takes under 30 minutes. Great for nights when you want carbs but also need protein to make it count.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp, tomatoes, olives, and feta all go into one skillet. It’s salty, bright, and great for when you want something fresh that doesn’t ask for too much. Done in under 30 and worth every second.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Creamy and spicy with shrimp that hits just right. It’s bold, fast, and feels like something you’d splurge on at a restaurant. Great for when you’re feeling a little extra on a Wednesday.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Marry Me Salmon

The sauce is rich with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic cream, but it’s still easy enough to pull off any night of the week. It’s a great way to impress someone—even if it’s just yourself.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon

Lemon and Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp tossed in lemony garlic butter and served over pasta. It’s bright, easy, and looks like you actually tried. Perfect for nights when you need dinner fast but still want it to feel good.
Get the Recipe: Lemon and Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Kung Pao Shrimp

Fast, spicy, and cheaper than takeout. You just cook the shrimp in sauce and throw it over rice. It’s a great go-to when you want something with flavor that still counts as cooking.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Shrimp