Nothing says summer like slapping fresh fish on the grill and enjoying a cold one with your friends on a patio. No grill, you say? Not to worry. There are plenty of ways to make a tasty summer meal with the kitchen equipment you already have, and we’ll prove it with these 14 recipes. From crisp salmon to juicy shrimp, fire up anything but the grill and get cookin’.
1. Broiled Striped Bass
You can still get color and char on fish by popping that pan in the broiler. Essentially an upside-down grill, the broiler is our No. 1 solution to making fish taste just like you cooked it outside on your deck. This simple striped bass is covered in sweet tomatoes and briny olives.
2. Cajun Mahi Mahi With Mango Salsa
This sweet and spicy fish gets its kick from Cajun seasoning, balanced out by a pineapple-mango salsa. Searing mahi mahi gives it a crispy exterior, and best of all, the whole meal takes 15 minutes, tops. Summer dinners are about to be easy AF.
3. Seared Salmon
Searing is a quick way to get some color and crispy crust on a piece of fish. Plop a piece of salmon in a pan and let it cook without flipping for longer than you think. Serve with a warm lemon butter cream sauce.
4. Poached Cod in Tomato Sauce
Poaching fish sounds tricky, but it’s another one of those simple cooking methods you need to try this summer. This mild cod dish is cooked in bubbling tomato sauce until tender.
5. Coconut Fried Pineapple Snapper
As far as fried food goes, this snapper dish is fairly light thanks to just six ingredients. Dredge snapper in flour, dip in an egg-and-pineapple-juice mixture, then coat in coconut flakes. Serve with a side of roasted veggies, cauliflower rice, or a healthy fruit salad.
6. Oven-Fried Catfish
A fish fry seems like classic summer food, but try making it a little healthyish next time by oven-frying. You’ll still get that crispy, battered coating, yet there’s no grease from deep-fried oil.
7. Baked Shrimp Boil
A seafood boil just sounds like summer, but if you’re not in the position to cook outdoors, the answer is to throw everything on a sheet tray. Seriously, when have shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn ever steered you wrong?
8. Broiled Miso Cod With Asparagus
Satisfy a craving for Japanese food sans takeout with this miso cod recipe. Veggies get tossed in a sesame oil sauce, and the fish is coated in a miso glaze. Make sure to factor in time to let the fish marinate for maximum flavor.
9. Braised Catfish Steaks
Even if you don’t have a traditional Korean stone pot you can braise fish like a pro. Lug out any thick pan or dutch oven to make these sweet and spicy catfish steaks.
10. Steamed Red Snapper
Like grilling, steaming is a simple cooking method—which gives you more time to focus on the gorgeous weather. This Jamaican-style red snapper is steamed in a spicy broth and served with tender veg.
11. Superfood Baked Salmon
One pan, Whole30 approved, and 20 minutes from start to finish? We’re sold. Add salmon, Brussels sprouts, lemon slices, and a blueberry-balsamic mixture to a sheet pan, and bake for 15 minutes. Pro tip: Heat them under a broiler for 2 minutes to make everything extra crispy.
12. Poached White Fish in Tomato Basil Sauce
Frozen white fish fillets sound meh, but with just a few extra ingredients, they’re practically a gourmet meal. Cook the fillets in chicken stock, white wine, and garlic, and throw in cherry tomatoes and fresh basil… 30 minutes on the stove and you’re good to go.
13. Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia
Tilapia is a pretty mild fish, so consider this your go-to summer party staple—even picky eaters will enjoy it. Mix butter, lemon juice and zest, and garlic, then drizzle the mixture over tilapia. With a quick garnish of salt, pepper, and parsley, the fish comes out light, flaky, and just a little tangy.
14. Baked Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon
Dress up your usual oven-baked salmon recipe with garlic and a honey-lime glaze. Once you dress the fish, all you have to do is pop the sheet pan in the oven for 25 minutes. Go ahead, pour yourself a drink while you wait.
