I Didn’t Want To Cook, But These 27 Seafood Recipes Were Fast

Thought skipping dinner was the only option until these 27 seafood ideas proved otherwise. They came together quicker than finding the remote. With zero patience and a growling stomach, they showed up like old friends who don’t need small talk. Perfect for anyone who treats hunger like a mild emergency.

Tuna burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a bun, served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Shrimp Burrito Bowls

A bowl of seasoned shrimp, avocado, corn, black beans, rice, and a dollop of sour cream, garnished with cilantro.
Shrimp Burrito Bowls. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mixing seafood with quick bowls makes dinner easy, and shrimp fans love this option. Shrimp Burrito Bowls bring together seafood with toppings you can pile on yourself. It’s perfect when you want something fast but still hearty. Skip the wrap and have a bowl that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Burrito Bowls

Lobster Roll

A close-up of a sandwich roll filled with chunks of seasoned lobster meat, garnished with chopped chives.
Lobster Roll. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Quick seafood sandwiches work well when time is short, and Lobster Roll is proof of that. The sandwich gives you seafood without needing much time or prep. It’s all about keeping things simple without losing flavor. Grab a roll, and it’s done fast with limited effort.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Roll

Maryland Crab Cake

Close-up of golden-brown Maryland crab cakes garnished with herbs on a white plate, complemented by a fresh parsley garnish.
Maryland Crab Cake. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Turning seafood into patties is smart when you don’t want to cook for long. Maryland Crab Cake is a no-frills way to enjoy crab without a lot of fuss. It uses seafood compactly, saving time in the kitchen. Fast and easy cooking with big flavor in small bites.
Get the Recipe: Maryland Crab Cake

Crispy Air Fryer Cod

Image of cooked air fryer cod fillets seasoned with herbs and garnished with lemon wedges and parsley on a plate.
Crispy Air Fryer Cod. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Seafood in the air fryer speeds things up, which is why Crispy Air Fryer Cod works well for busy meals. No long cooking time or frying mess is needed here. It’s an easy option for something crispy and quick. Simple prep, cooked fast, and perfect for pairing with anything you like.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Cod

Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, grated cheese, and dressing.
Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Seafood salads can be made quickly, and Caesar Salad throws in seafood for a change. It’s fast to toss together something fresh and filling. With shellfish or fish as the star, it works for lunch or dinner. No cooking stress, just seafood added to a familiar salad mix.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad

Best Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole in a white baking dish.
Best Tuna Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Quick casseroles are always a win for dinner, and Best Tuna Casserole doesn’t take long. It’s a seafood option that can be thrown together fast without many steps. Warm and filling without spending hours in the kitchen. You can whip it up fast and serve it without much cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Best Tuna Casserole

Mango Shrimp Salad

A bowl of shrimp ceviche with diced mango, avocado, red onion, red pepper, and cilantro, with a spoon inside.
Mango Shrimp Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Mixing fruit and seafood is unexpected but fast, and Mango Shrimp Salad makes it happen. Shrimp tossed with fruit is filling without dragging out prep time. You don’t spend much time cooking with this dish, and it’s refreshing while still giving you seafood for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mango Shrimp Salad

Crostini Appetizers

Toasted bread topped with smoked salmon, capers, cheese, walnuts, and herbs on a decorative silver tray.
Crostini Appetizers. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Small and quick seafood bites work for snacks or meals, and Crostini Appetizers nail it. There’s no complicated prep or cooking here; it’s ready to grab in no time. Seafood tops these small bites, giving you variety with minimal stress. Easy options when you don’t want long meals.
Get the Recipe: Crostini Appetizers

Rice Paper Rolls

Close-up of sliced spring rolls filled with rice, avocado, purple cabbage, and sesame seeds, arranged on a white plate.
Rice Paper Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Seafood rolls let you skip baking or frying, and Rice Paper Rolls are perfect for grabbing quickly. All the filling gets tucked in fast and neatly. These rolls don’t take long to prep and are easy to eat anytime. Light and packed with seafood without heavy cooking steps or time.
Get the Recipe: Rice Paper Rolls

Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions.
Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Shrimp doesn’t require long cooking, and Bang Bang Shrimp proves you can do it fast. This dish is all about tossing shrimp into a quick coating and serving it immediately. Perfect for saving time without sacrificing bold seafood flavor. You don’t need much prep or many steps either.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Kimchi Stew

Close-up of a wooden spoon in a vibrant kimchi stew with tofu and pork, garnished with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes.
Kimchi Stew. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mixing seafood into hot broths doesn’t take long, and Kimchi Stew pulls it off easily. Seafood works with minimal effort here, blending into something warm and filling fast. It’s one of those dishes that you can heat and eat without dragging out the cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew

Air Fryer Shrimp

A close-up shot of seasoned, air fryer shrimp garnished with fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Shrimp. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Air fryers speed up shrimp cooking, which makes Air Fryer Shrimp a go-to dish. It’s quick to toss shrimp in and let them crisp up, creating an easy meal. No standing over the stove, just quick seafood results. Cleanup is minimized, and you’ll have ready-to-eat shrimp in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Marry Me Salmon

Grilled salmon fillet topped with a creamy herb sauce, served next to a portion of white rice.
Marry Me Salmon. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Salmon can cook faster than you think, and Marry Me Salmon shows how simple and fast it can be. It’s cooked quickly yet still keeps all the seafood flavor you want. Preparation is straightforward without giving up anything hearty. Salmon doesn’t need much effort to create a meal.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail with peeled shrimp arranged on the rim of a glass filled with cocktail sauce, garnished with parsley.
Shrimp Cocktail. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cold seafood dishes are instant time-savers, and Shrimp Cocktail is one of the quickest options. Prepped shrimp only need dipping and plating, which cuts kitchen time. It’s an easy option whether served as an appetizer or main. No heating, just seafood ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail

Blackened Salmon Tacos

Tacos with grilled salmon, purple cabbage, corn, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and drizzled with white sauce on tortillas.
Blackened Salmon Tacos. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Tacos are convenient, and Blackened Salmon Tacos speed things up by using fast-cooking seafood. Salmon fits quickly inside a taco without much prep work. It’s an easy microwave or stovetop option for anyone in a rush. You end up with seafood tacos ready to eat fast.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Salmon Tacos

Shrimp Scampi

Close-up of cooked shrimp seasoned with herbs and black pepper.
Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Quick shrimp meals are lifesavers when you don’t want to cook, and Shrimp Scampi delivers. Shrimp cooks faster than most proteins, letting you whip this up fast on weeknights. It’s simple yet feels full enough without stressing in the kitchen. Dinner comes together effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Tom Yum Soup

Close-up of a spicy tom yum soup with shrimp, mushrooms, tomato chunks, lime wedge, and chopped herbs in a rich, red broth.
Tom Yum Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Putting seafood into soup doesn’t take time, and Tom Yum Soup makes it a quick process. Hot broth pulls seafood together fast and evenly. You can get a warm bowl of seafood soup ready for meals without boiling for hours. Easy cleanup and fast cooking make this a time-saver too.
Get the Recipe: Tom Yum Soup

Shrimp Tacos

Close-up of a shrimp taco with avocado, tomato, red onion, and a drizzle of sauce in a toasted tortilla.
Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Seafood plus tacos equals fast meals, and Shrimp Tacos keep weeknight cooking simple. Shrimp folds into tortillas quickly, making this a stress-free option. No need to pull out anything fancy to get dinner ready. Tacos with seafood keep things fast every time.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tacos

Tuna Noodle Casserole

A baking dish filled with golden-brown baked tuna noodle casserole, topped with breadcrumbs and garnished with chopped parsley.
Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Casseroles with seafood save time, and Tuna Noodle Casserole is one you can make fast. It’s warm and filling without needing hours in the kitchen. Seafood mixes well with noodles for an easy meal that’s perfect for weeknights. You don’t have to stay in the kitchen long to enjoy it.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Shrimp Tempura

A bowl of crispy fried shrimp with slices of green onions and jalapeños.
Shrimp Tempura. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick fried seafood works best when you’re pressed for time, and Shrimp Tempura does the job well. Dipping and frying shrimp happens fast, giving you crispy seafood bites without long prep. It’s easy to put together when you need something fast but still crave warm seafood options.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tempura

Sushi Bake

A dish of loaded fries inspired by sushi bake, topped with avocado slices, diced cucumbers, green onions, sesame seeds, and drizzled with sauce.
Sushi Bake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Traditional sushi rolls take time, but Sushi Bake speeds things up for seafood lovers. Layered seafood eliminates the rolling and tight prep steps. It’s baked and ready in less time than sushi usually takes. Full of seafood but easier to make for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sushi Bake

Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

A bowl of mixed salad with grilled shrimp, avocado, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing.
Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Salads with seafood come together quickly, and Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing gets to the table in minutes. Shrimp cooks fast and pairs perfectly with fresh toppings. It’s an easy way to make salad filling for dinner without tons of prep. Simple cooking and fast plating.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Thai Drunken Noodles

A colorful dish of shrimp stir-fry with noodles, vegetables, and sesame seeds, garnished with basil leaves and green onions. Chopsticks rest on the dish.
Thai Drunken Noodles. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Thai Drunken Noodles deliver bold flavors with shrimp mixed into a stir-fry you can’t mess up. It skips long prep steps and stays quick from start to finish. The dish has everything mixed fast, so you don’t prep endlessly. Perfect for the nights where time is short but you want something hot.
Get the Recipe: Thai Drunken Noodles

Shrimp Toast

Close-up of open-faced sandwiches topped with avocado, shredded carrot, microgreens, and pieces of cooked salmon on whole-grain bread.
Shrimp Toast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Open-faced bread with seafood skips the complicated cooking, and Shrimp Toast makes it a breeze. You can top shrimp on bread and heat it fast for a quick bite. Minimal mess and prep are required. It’s a speedy option for small meals and snacks without dragging out cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Salmon Deviled Eggs

Close-up of Deviled Eggs topped with a red currant and garnished with fried leeks. Fresh red currants are in the background.
Salmon Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Salmon Deviled Eggs turn an appetizer into something richer with seafood that’s prepped quickly. It’s straightforward assembly without needing pans or stovetops. These eggs add a touch of protein without complicated steps. Perfect for when you want fast finger food that’s not heavy.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Deviled Eggs

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Shrimp and pasta together mean easy cooking, and Marry Me Shrimp Pasta skips the complicated steps. Shrimp cooks so fast that it lets you serve the pasta in no time. You’ll get a full seafood meal without hours of prep or waiting. One of those dishes that finish fast but taste complete.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich

Tuna burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a bun, served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Keeping it simple, Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich takes handheld meals to the next level. Fast cooking means your sandwich goes from idea to reality quicker. Great for casual lunches that still feel put together. Saves time while tasting great.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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