Seafood is complex and intimidating to cook. This is especially true for beginners. But it doesn’t have to be! With the right recipes, even new cooks can make tasty seafood dishes quickly. Are you craving a simple shrimp stir-fry or a flavorful fish taco? These delicious and easy seafood recipes are perfect. They are great for anyone who wants to start cooking seafood. Get ready to impress yourself and your guests. These seafood creations are simple and delicious. They are friendly for beginners and very tasty!
4 Easy Seafood Recipes for Beginner Cooks
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb colossal shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lime (for zest and juice)
- Tortillas (flour or corn)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- On a large sheet pan, toss the shrimp, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Squeeze the juice of half the lime over everything, then toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the shrimp and vegetables out in a single layer on the pan. Try not to overcrowd them for even cooking.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the veggies are tender.
- Remove the shrimp and veggies from the oven and squeeze the remaining lime half over them. Serve on warm tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and fresh cilantro.
- Salmon Burgers with Avocado Sauce
Here’s a delicious recipe for Salmon Burgers with Avocado Sauce:
Ingredients:
For the Salmon Burgers:
- 1 lb (450g) fresh salmon fillets, skin removed and chopped into chunks
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg (optional, for binding)
For the Avocado Sauce:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
For the Salmon Burgers:
- Place the chopped salmon into a food processor and pulse until it’s finely chopped but not pureed. You want a slightly chunky texture.
- Transfer the salmon to a mixing bowl. Add breadcrumbs, chopped onion, parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and mix well if you feel the mixture needs extra binding.
- Form the mixture into 4-6 burger patties, depending on your desired size.
- In a skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Cook the salmon burgers for 4-5 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C.
For the Avocado Sauce:
- Combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, cilantro (optional), and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more lime juice or salt if desired.
To Serve:
- Serve the salmon burgers on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, or any toppings you choose. Drizzle with the creamy avocado sauce for a delicious, fresh flavor boost!
- Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Air Fryer Lobster Tails:
Ingredients:
- 2 lobster tails (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (optional for serving)
Instructions:
- If using frozen lobster tails, thaw them in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Then, using kitchen scissors, cut along the top shell of each lobster tail to expose the meat.
- Gently pull the lobster meat out, keeping it attached to the shell’s base, and lay it on top of the shell.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush the butter mixture generously over the lobster meat, ensuring it’s well-coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes. Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, shell side down, and cook for 6-8 minutes, depending on their size. When done, the lobster meat should be opaque and firm to the touch.
- Remove the lobster tails from the air fryer and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. For extra flavor, serve with lemon wedges on the side.
- Crab Fried Rice
Here’s a simple and delicious Crab Fried Rice recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old rice)
- 1/2 cup crab meat (preferably fresh or canned)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- If you haven’t already, cook the rice and let it cool. Day-old rice works best as it prevents the fried rice from becoming mushy.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Toss in the peas and carrots, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they’re heated through.
- Add the cooked rice to the pan. Use a spatula to break up any clumps. Stir-fry the rice for a few minutes, ensuring it gets coated with the oil and vegetables.
- Gently fold the crab meat, soy sauce, and optional oyster sauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the sesame oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well mixed and heated through.
- Add the scrambled eggs back into the pan and toss everything together. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Wrap up
Seafood is a versatile and delicious option. It is great for beginner cooks wanting to improve their cooking skills. With a few simple techniques and fresh ingredients, you can create many tasty dishes that will impress your family and friends. You could make a quick shrimp stir-fry, a classic fish fillet, or a flavorful seafood pasta. These easy recipes are perfect for beginners in the kitchen. Dive into the world of seafood and try different flavors. Enjoy the satisfaction of making delicious meals with ease. Enjoy your cooking!