Tired of cod and salmon? Try these easy seafood dinners instead

Friday 30 October 2026 10:00 - Juliette Hess
Tired of cod and salmon? Try these easy seafood dinners instead
If cod and salmon are always your default, dinner can start to feel predictable. They are practical, familiar and easy to find, but the seafood counter has many other options that cook quickly and bring completely different flavors. A simple switch can make a weeknight meal feel new without making it complicated.

The trick is to choose seafood that already has personality. Prawns are fast and sweet, mackerel is rich and flavorful, sardines are economical and bold, sea bream is delicate, and mixed seafood can turn rice, pasta or stew into a complete meal. These are the kinds of dinners that help you break the cod-and-salmon routine while keeping cooking simple.

Why it is worth rotating your seafood choices

Repeating the same fish every week can make seafood feel less exciting than it really is. Different types of fish and shellfish bring different textures, cooking methods and flavors. Lean white fish, oily fish, shellfish and canned fish all behave differently in the kitchen.

That variety matters because it gives you more dinner options. Prawns can be cooked in minutes, mackerel can stand up to strong seasonings, sardines work well in stews or stuffed vegetables, and seafood rice dishes can feel festive without being difficult.

Choose prawns when you want dinner fast

Prawns and shrimp are ideal when you want a quick seafood dinner. They cook rapidly, pair well with garlic, lemon, spices, coconut milk, rice, pasta or noodles, and can turn a simple base into a complete meal.

The main rule is not to overcook them. Once they turn opaque and firm, they are usually ready. Because their flavor is naturally sweet, prawns work beautifully with bright ingredients like citrus, ginger, herbs, chili or tomato.

Try oily fish when you want more character

If you usually choose mild fish, try something with more personality. Mackerel and sardines have a richer flavor and work well with bold seasonings, tomato, lemon, herbs and warm spices. They can make a very simple dinner taste more complete because the fish itself brings depth.

These options are also practical. Sardines can be fresh or canned, mackerel cooks well in the oven, and both can be paired with vegetables, potatoes, rice or bread for a satisfying meal.

Use delicate fish for saucy dinners

For a softer, more delicate seafood dinner, options like sea bream work beautifully in gentle sauces. Coconut milk, tomato, lemon, herbs or a light broth can give the fish flavor without overpowering it.

This is a good approach when you want dinner to feel comforting but not heavy. Serve saucy fish with rice, potatoes, vegetables or bread so nothing delicious is left behind on the plate.

Make seafood feel like a full meal

A seafood dinner feels more satisfying when it has a clear base. Add rice, pasta, noodles, potatoes, beans or vegetables so the dish is not just a piece of fish on a plate. This also helps stretch pricier seafood into a more generous meal.

Think seafood paella, shrimp noodles, sardine stew, prawn curry or sea bream with coconut milk. These dishes feel complete because the seafood is part of a broader dinner, not an afterthought.

Seafood dinners to try beyond cod and salmon

For a quick prawn dinner with garlic, herbs and plenty of flavor:
Oven-baked prawns with garlic and herbsRecipe Oven-baked prawns with garlic and herbs

An easy, quick way to cook prawns: combine them with garlic and herbes de Provence, then bake everything in the oven. A foolproof recipe with step-by-step guidance. Bring a little sunshine and flavor to your kitchen :-) Serve as a starter or main...



For a rich mackerel meal that is simple, bold and satisfying:
How do you bake mackerel?Recipe How do you bake mackerel?

For a simple, light and tasty dinner, there's nothing like delicious oven-baked mackerel ! Accompanied by tender potatoes and herbes de Provence, this dish is a real treat, as well as being super-healthy :-) Try this quick and easy recipe by...



For a sunny sardine stew that turns an economical fish into a complete dinner:
Easy and budget-friendly sardine moquecaRecipe Easy and budget-friendly sardine moqueca

One of Brazil’s most traditional dishes, made easy and affordable. Got a can of sardines handy? Open it, because we’re going to use it to make a quick, healthy recipe for everyday meals: the much-loved moqueca with coconut milk and vegetables. Follow...



For a delicate sea bream dish simmered in coconut milk:
Sea bream simmered in coconut milk - the fish dish you will loveRecipe Sea bream simmered in coconut milk - the fish dish you will love

Here's a new light, fragrant dish for you to try today: sea bream in coconut milk. Topped with vegetables, all you have to do is serve it with rice or potatoes . These sunny flavors will help the whole family include more fish in their everyday...



For a festive seafood rice dinner that brings variety to the table:
Seafood paellaRecipe Seafood paella

A paella like they make in Spain—does that sound tempting?! To help you prepare it, we’re offering a foolproof recipe explained step by step. With it, you’ll realize that paella is much easier to make than you might think ;-) A wonderfully convivial...



For a shrimp noodle meal with big flavor and an easy weeknight feel:
Shrimp udon noodles with spicy peanut sauceRecipe Shrimp udon noodles with spicy peanut sauce

Today we're preparing udon noodles with a rich, sweet, salty, and spicy sauce. You'll love the peanut flavor in this spicy dish with Asian flavors . Add the accompaniments of your choice for a complete meal. Here, the noodles are served with...

The takeaway

Cod and salmon are useful, but they do not have to carry every seafood dinner. Prawns, mackerel, sardines, sea bream and mixed seafood all offer different ways to make dinner quick, flavorful and satisfying.

Start with one new option and keep the rest of the plate simple. Add rice, potatoes, pasta, vegetables or bread, then season boldly. That is enough to make seafood night feel fresh again.
Juliette HessJuliette Hess
I have been creating culinary content for Petitchef since 2017.
I love travelling and discovering new dishes, trying out new food trends and exploring new restaurants.
I’m a huge fan of pasta and noodles in all their forms ❤ from udon noodles to tagliatelle, I love cooking them and even making them from scratch!
I’m currently preparing, filming and photographing your next recipe, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

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