Lent season can leave dinner feeling limited fast. We still want bold flavor, but we need seafood that cooks quickly and doesn’t feel like a compromise. That is where smart, easy recipes earn their spot.

Seafood should be fast, flavorful, and reliable on a weeknight. Think crisp-edged salmon, tender shrimp, and golden seared scallops that hit the table in minutes. These recipes keep prep simple and timing tight, so we spend less time hovering over the stove.

The payoff is big flavor without the extra work. We keep the focus on strong seasoning, smart shortcuts, and satisfying results. Start exploring these easy seafood recipes and make Lent season taste like a win.

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites With Sriracha-Lime Sauce

Air fryer salmon bites with crispy edges served with sriracha-lime dipping sauce.
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites With Sriracha-Lime Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Rapid air circulation crisps the edges without drying the center. The salmon stays juicy with a lightly charred finish. Sriracha-lime sauce brings bold heat and brightness. Short cook time makes this a dependable, busy-night win.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites With Sriracha-Lime Sauce

Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass

A hard sear creates a deep golden crust. The center stays buttery and flaky with steady heat. Cumin spice adds warmth, while chimichurri butter melts over the top. Keep the pan hot and avoid flipping too soon for best results.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass

Air Fryer Shrimp

Rapid air flow cooks shrimp evenly with crisp edges. The centers stay tender, not rubbery. A simple seasoning blend delivers bold flavor fast. Short cook time makes this an easy, repeatable method.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Instant Pot Fish Soup

A blue bowl contains a soup with chunks of fish, carrots, and potatoes, garnished with fresh dill. The soup appears to have a clear broth base.
Instant Pot Fish Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pressure cooking locks in flavor fast. The fish stays tender while potatoes turn soft. The broth develops clean, bright depth. Hands-off timing keeps this soup practical for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Fish Soup

Roasted Branzino with Lemon Caper Sauce

A hot oven crisps the skin while the flesh turns tender and flaky. Lemon caper sauce adds sharp, briny bite. Roasting keeps prep simple and hands-off. It’s polished enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Branzino with Lemon Caper Sauce

Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp Marinade

A quick marinade tenderizes shrimp before they hit the grill. High heat builds char without overcooking. The flavor stays bright and balanced. Short marinating time keeps prep simple and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Shrimp Creole

Shrimp creole simmering in spicy tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs visible throughout.
Shrimp Creole. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A quick simmer builds a rich, layered tomato base. Shrimp cook gently and stay tender. Bold spices create deep, savory flavor. Controlled heat keeps the timing steady and the texture right.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Creole

Grilled Salmon in Foil

Foil locks in moisture while the grill adds light char. The salmon flakes easily and stays juicy. Sealed packets prevent sticking or overcooking. Even heat makes this method nearly foolproof.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon in Foil

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Simmered wheat berries turn tender with a slight chew. Juicy tuna and ripe tomatoes add fresh bite. A bright dressing ties everything together. It holds up well, making prep ahead simple and practical.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Fish With Pomegranate Sauce

A whole roasted fish topped with chopped herbs and lemon slices is served on a white platter with roasted tomatoes and greens.
Fish With Pomegranate Sauce. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven roasting crisps the skin while keeping the flesh moist. Sweet-tart pomegranate sauce adds bold contrast. Steady heat prevents overcooking. It’s a balanced, reliable way to serve whole fish.
Get the Recipe: Fish With Pomegranate Sauce

Easy Fresh Fish Ceviche

Fresh lime juice gently cures the fish until tender and clean. The texture stays firm, never mushy. A proper chill sets the flavor and keeps it safe. No stove required, just steady prep and reliable results.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fresh Fish Ceviche

California Roll Cucumber Salad

Crisp cucumbers get tossed in a creamy, savory dressing. Tender crab and sesame add familiar sushi flavor. No cooking required, just quick knife work and a cold mix. It’s fresh, crunchy, and easy to prep ahead.
Get the Recipe: California Roll Cucumber Salad

Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce

Pan-seared cod fillet topped with blistered cherry tomatoes and herbs on a clean white plate.
Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

High heat in cast iron builds a golden crust fast. The cod stays flaky and intact without sticking or tearing. Blistered cherry tomatoes turn jammy and bright in the same pan. Steady searing keeps timing tight and results reliable.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce

Blackened Cod

A hot skillet sears spices into a crisp, dark crust. The cod remains flaky and moist inside. High heat builds bold flavor quickly. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep that golden edge.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Quick and Easy Grilled Shrimp Tacos

High grill heat chars shrimp in minutes. The centers stay tender with crisp edges. Warm tortillas and bright toppings finish the plate. Fast cook time keeps weeknight dinner on schedule.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Shrimp boil foil packets opened to reveal shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage steaming hot.
Shrimp Boil Foil Packets. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Foil packets steam and roast everything evenly at once. Shrimp stay juicy while potatoes turn tender. The sealed heat keeps flavors concentrated and bold. Easy cleanup and built-in portions keep dinner stress low.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew With Coconut Milk

A gentle simmer blends coconut milk into a creamy, fragrant broth. The fish turns tender without falling apart. Fresh herbs add brightness at the finish. Thirty minutes is all it takes for deep, steady flavor.
Get the Recipe: Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew With Coconut Milk

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivore®, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivore®, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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