15 Summer Seafood Dinners You Can Make in Under 45 Minutes
Grilled tilapia, skewers, and rice bowls.
When you think of summer dinners, seafood is at the top of the list. Sure, burgers and hot dogs will always remain seasonal staples, but flaky fish dishes, tender shrimp recipes, and briny lobster tails are light, refreshing choices that taste like a coastal getaway. Whether you’re threading grilled skewers and kebabs at a backyard cookout or switching up Taco Tuesday by swapping ground beef for blackened salmon, seafood never disappoints in the warmer months—especially when it comes together without much time or effort.
These summer seafood dinners prove that it’s totally doable to get a full, satisfying meal ready on the table in 45 minutes. Some even classify as 30-minute meals, and a handful take just 20 minutes to churn out! If you’re planning a BBQ, Ree Drummond’s shrimp and scallop skewers will be a quick and delicious addition to your grilling menu. For an easy dinner the whole family will love, whip up Ree’s shrimp stir-fry, a one-pot dish that’s just as fast to make as it is to clean up. Or, if you’re craving something a little richer, you can try her coconut shrimp curry. Here, you’ll find summer seafood recipes that are versatile, flavorful, and perfect for those lazy nights.
Shrimp and Scallop Skewers with Lemon Orzo
Double the seafood! These shrimp and scallop skewers are soaked in a zippy marinade that’ll make a splash at your next cookout, especially with a scoop of lemony orzo on the side.
Get Ree’s Shrimp and Scallop Skewers with Lemon Orzo recipe.
Salmon Tacos
Give your typical taco dinner a light summery spin: Stuff warm tortillas with flaky salmon, crunchy dill slaw, and creamy avocado. This seafood dish will be ready in just 30 minutes!
Get Ree’s Salmon Tacos recipe.
Blackened Catfish with Succotash
Coating catfish in a smoky spice rub and pan-frying it is undeniably tasty. What makes this dinner a real winner is the succotash (one of Ree’s favorite summer sides!) and the 40-minute time.
Get Ree’s Blackened Catfish with Succotash recipe.
Shrimp Stir-Fry with Asparagus
This dinner idea is loaded with seasonal veggies like asparagus and bell peppers, plus bold flavor from the sticky-sweet sauce. You can get it all on the table in 35 minutes using just one skillet.
Get Ree’s Shrimp Stir-Fry with Asparagus recipe.
Blackened Salmon Burgers with Avocado-Lime Mayo
When you substitute beef for salmon tossed in bold spices, you get crispy-yet-flaky patties that blacken on a skillet. Seal them in a buttery bun with a smear of avocado-lime mayo.
Get Ree’s Blackened Salmon Burgers with Avocado-Lime Mayo recipe.
Steamed Cod with Couscous
Steamed over a bed of veggies and herbs, cod takes on a fresh, earthy flair in this 35-minute recipe. Plate it with a mound of pearl couscous to soak up all the sauces.
Get Ree’s Steamed Cod with Couscous recipe.
Fish and Chips Salad
Piling fish and chips on a bed of greens makes it “healthier,” right? Drizzle on some tartar sauce and you’ve got an easy, satisfying meal.
Get the Fish and Chips Salad recipe.
Shrimp Panzanella Salad
If you’re craving something hearty, mix up this lettuce-free salad for dinner. It’s made with spicy shrimp, juicy tomatoes, crusty bread, fragrant basil, and a tangy vinaigrette.
Get Ree’s Shrimp Panzanella Salad recipe.
Broiled Salmon with White Bean Salad
Broiling salmon doesn’t just cut down on cooking time, but it also locks in moisture while caramelizing the edges. Pair it with a salad tossed in a zesty dressing for a delicious 30-minute meal.
Get Ree’s Broiled Salmon with White Bean Salad recipe.
Lobster Rolls
One bite of this lobster roll and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a charming town on the New England coast. The best part? This summer dish takes just 20 minutes to throw together.
Get the Lobster Rolls recipe.
Grilled Tilapia
Since the tilapia and asparagus both cook together in foil, you’ll spend little time assembling and cleaning. Just add a few simple seasonings and a generous amount of butter!
Get the Grilled Tilapia recipe.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Fun fact: This dish was born out of a hosting mishap involving a surplus of shrimp forgotten about in the fridge. Instead of letting the seafood go to waste, Ree created this now-loved recipe.
Get Ree’s Coconut Shrimp Curry recipe.
Sweet Chili Salmon with Asparagus
For a well-rounded meal that puts seafood front and center, slather salmon in a sticky chili glaze and bake it alongside asparagus. Rice adds substance without overshadowing the star of the plate.
Get Ree’s Sweet Chili Salmon with Asparagus recipe.
Linguine with Clam Sauce
This was the first meal that Ree ever made for her husband Ladd. Linguine with clam sauce is a bright, dreamy dish that’s a breeze to cook in 20 minutes, thanks to a few shortcuts.
Get Ree’s Linguine with Clam Sauce recipe.
Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad
You’ll just need 45 minutes to prepare this restaurant-worthy meal. Moist on the inside and golden on the outside, these crab cakes taste even better with a squeeze of lemon and a side of dressed arugula.
Get Ree’s Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad recipe.
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