Hello, seafood!
We get it…eating well on a budget can feel like walking a tightrope! Balancing delicious, nutritious meals while sticking to a financial plan isn’t always easy. Not to mention finding ingredients for easy-to-make recipes that will satisfy even the picky palates of hungry little seafood eaters!
Well, fear not! Dish on Fish is here to help you in the kitchen with ease! We’ve done our homework on how to spend your money on seafood, starting at the grocery store and ending with our family-favorite budget-friendly recipes.
The first stop on our low-cost seafood adventure is meal planning and preparation. By sitting down to plan your meals ahead of time, it will be easier to only buy what you need at the grocery store, which equates to saving money! Another convenient planning trick? We love using recipes that are easy to make ahead and reheat – if you have tasty, easy options, you’re less likely to buy breakfast or lunch out. Leftovers from last night’s dinner can also be remixed by adding extra protein or a new vegetable as a side dish.
With shopping list in hand, we go shopping. First, we’ll head straight to the freezer, where a treasure trove of affordable seafood options awaits. Shrimp, salmon, tilapia, cod and more are frozen at peak freshness, ready to grab, portion and cook by the bucketload. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for sales and opportunities to buy in bulk, which can further reduce your overall cost per pound.
Now, for a little magic in the central corridor. Walk over and grab a few bags or cans of tuna, crab, salmon, anchovies or clams. These pantry staples, combined with a pinch of simple kitchen know-how, are your ticket to becoming a true champion of affordable food. It’s always a great idea to add an extra portion to your cart for those nights when you need to whip up something quick!
And speaking of quick, fabulous meals… To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of our best budget-conscious recipes that taste expensive but won’t break the bank. From quick and easy salmon sheet pan dinners to delicious canned tuna pasta creations, consider these seafood dishes your secret weapon for eating well while watching your hard-earned money.
Good savings, good food!
Pan-fried spicy salmon
Serve this mouth-watering sheet pan salmon with brown rice and wilted spinach for a nutritious, heart-healthy meal that’s affordable, too!
Tuna and Mediterranean Pasta
With canned or pouched tuna as the star, this 25-minute recipe will bring a taste of the Mediterranean right to your kitchen table!
Lemon Tilapia Piccata
As a simple answer to the lingering question, “What’s for dinner?”, we’ve prepared a nutritious and easy dish featuring the ultimate flavor pairing of tilapia and lemon.
Cod and corn soup
For a fish soup that promises to be a hit with the whole family, look no further! And if (and it’s a big if!) you have anything left over, we can also attest that it makes for a delicious lunch, too.
Melt tuna and pimento cheese
Easy, cheesy, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, our 15-Minute Tuna Melt Recipe is your new after-school MVP!
Easy air fryer fish fingers
Do you only have 20 minutes? Then you can make this crispy and delicious white fish meal, with just a little help from your handy dandy air fryer!
Mediterranean Salmon, Two Ways
The versatility of this dish keeps it in constant rotation in the Dish on Fish kitchen! Mix it with your favorite affordable grains and veggies.
Tuna bitch
Tuna puttanesca is a quintessential Italian classic that you can prepare at home: the result is an aromatic and flavorful dinner that is extraordinarily surprising and can be ready in just minutes.
Instant Pot Seafood Risotto
A small portion of delicious seafood risotto can go a long way, especially when paired with a salad or a hearty piece of bread!
Mediterranean Tuna Pizza
In our humble Seafoodie option, the flavor combination of arugula, red onion, mozzarella and tuna is perfect, but you can replace it with whatever cheese or veggies you have on hand.
Gluten Free Crab Cakes
Whether you eat gluten-free regularly or just occasionally, these out-of-the-box flavored crab cakes are sure to earn their place on your list of family favorites!
Italian tuna and brown rice salad
Who’s ready for a pantry party?! Made with staples like tuna, brown rice, capers and chopped olives: “Riso e Tonno” (AKA Italian tuna and brown rice) is a bowl full of fresh flavor!
No matter the season, these filling 15-minute tuna bowls can be enjoyed hot or cold to fit your meal plan (and your busy schedule) all year round!
Smoked blue fish and potato salad
Throw together for an easy meal or as a favorite side dish, try this Rustic Potato Salad with Smoked Fish whenever you need a convenient, comforting bite to eat!
Originally designed for raw prawns, both frozen and fresh, pre-cooked prawns can also be used for this pesto pasta. Just toss them with the noodles towards the end of the cooking time.
