Our Best Grilled Seafood Dinners

Updated May 09, 2010
Credit: Iain Bagwell Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Nothing says summer like seafood on the grill. Check out our best recipes for grilled fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, and even lobster. 

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Grilled Dogfish on Late-Summer Caponata

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen

Grilled Dogfish on Late-Summer Caponata Recipe

Sustainable Choice.

For an alternate preparation, Seaver recommends placing the caponata and fillets in a baking dish and baking low and slow at 275° for 20 minutes or until desired degree of doneness.

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Maple Grilled Salmon

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Maple Grilled Salmon Recipe

A simple glaze featuring bright citrus notes and sweet maple syrup coats the salmon as it cooks, creating the perfect caramelization. You will relish every delicious bite.

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Grilled Corn and Fish Tacos

Grilled Corn and Fish Tacos Recipe

This crowd-pleaser has everything you want in a fish taco, including a spicy mayo and fresh add-ins like avocado and lightly charred corn.

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Key Lime Grilled Shrimp

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Virginia Houston

Key Lime Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Refreshing Key lime juice brightens the flavor of grilled shrimp. Guests will rave about the savory marinade, but it's the Key Lime Beurre Blanc cream sauce that pulls this dish together.

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Grilled Seafood with Banana-Lime Salsa

Credit: Levi Brown

Grilled Seafood with Banana-Lime Salsa Recipe

This recipe for Grilled Seafood with Banana-Lime Salsa combines the tropical flavor of bananas with lime to create a sensational zesty salsa.

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Mixed Grill Kebabs with Guava BBQ Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Mixed Grill Kebabs with Guava BBQ Sauce Recipe

Place bite-sized fish fillets, shrimp, and assorted vegetables on skewers for easy grilling. Serve with sweet Guava BBQ Sauce to kick up the flavor with fiery spice.

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Grilled Halibut and Fresh Mango Salsa

Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Halibut and Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe

We guarantee that after tasting one bite of this summery dish, you'll want to head right back to the kitchen and make another batch of the tropical salsa. Tangy and fruity with eye-popping color, the mango salsa is fantastic with this halibut, but try it other types of fish too.

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Grilled Clams with White Wine-Garlic Butter

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Linda Hirst

Grilled Clams with White Wine-Garlic Butter Recipe

Meaty cherrystone clams are larger than delicate littlenecks, so they stand up to grilling. And because they take longer to cook, they have plenty of time to soak up all that smoky flavor.

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Shrimp Sate with Pineapple Salsa

Shrimp Sate with Pineapple Salsa Recipe

You might not be able to rustle up a beachside view, tropical breezes, or a friendly waiter with a tray of umbrella-laden cocktails, but this festive shrimp dinner will certainly put you in a vacation mood. To save time, start with cored, sliced pineapple from the produce section.

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Spicy Passion Fruit-Glazed Shrimp

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Spicy Passion Fruit-Glazed Shrimp Recipe

With its intoxicating floral aroma, the sweet-tart passion fruit is an intriguing partner for grilled shrimp. When straining the glaze, press with the back of a spoon to make sure you get as much passion fruit flavor as possible.

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Halibut & Squash Ribbon Skewers with Pistachio-Mint Salsa Verde

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Halibut & Squash Ribbon Skewers with Pistachio-Mint Salsa Verde Recipe

Chef and cookbook author Joanne Weir led a culinary tour to the Cinque Terre in Italy. "We went out on the Mediterranean, where we drank prosecco and ate seafood cooked on a tiny grill. I relished the fresh grilled calamari and halibut skewers." These are her ode to the skewers from that day.

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Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon

Credit: Ralph Anderson

Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon Recipe

When grilled, the brown sugar-paprika rub turns slightly crusty and caramelized, giving this dish an irresistible flavor and texture. Even better, this 5-ingredient recipe can be on your dinner table in less than half an hour.

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Pan-Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

Credit: Rita Maas

Pan-Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Salsa Recipe

Fish is prominent in the Willett plan since it's a lean protein source. Salmon is particularly good because it contains plenty of heart-healthy fats called omega 3s

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Grilled Striped Bass with Chunky Mango-Ginger Sauce

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Striped Bass with Chunky Mango-Ginger Sauce Recipe

A firm white fish with delicate flavor, striped bass is delicious with bold seasonings. A mixture of fresh ginger and orange juice acts like a culinary light bulb in the sauce, brightening the musky sweetness of mango. Dress this dish up or down by pairing it with an icy pilsner or a fruity white wine, such as Riesling.

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Grilled Salmon with Blackberry-Cabernet Coulis

Credit: James Carrier

Grilled Salmon with Blackberry-Cabernet Coulis Recipe

The kingly Cabernet Sauvignon pairs surprisingly well with mid-summer blackberries, which emphasize the wine's fruity, full-flavored appeal. Spoon this dramatically-hued sauce over a salmon steak for an unforgettable grilled meal.

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Maple-Glazed Salmon

Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Maple-Glazed Salmon Recipe

Liberally coated in chili powder and cumin before going on the grill, these salmon fillets pack a spicy bite. But if you're worried about this dish being too hot, relax–a touch of brown sugar and maple syrup brings the flavors into perfect balance.

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Grilled Mahimahi with Peach and Pink Grapefruit Relish

Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Grilled Mahimahi with Peach and Pink Grapefruit Relish Recipe

Cooling, yet sweet and tangy at the same time, this refreshing relish goes down easy with a firm, mild fish like mahimahi. Pair it with a sparkly prosecco and make a pre-dinner toast to your own grill-fabulous self.

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Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Lemon-Parsley Potatoes

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Lemon-Parsley Potatoes Recipe

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Grilled Octopus with Korean Barbecue Sauce and Baby Bok Choy Slaw

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Grilled Octopus with Korean Barbecue Sauce and Baby Bok Choy Slaw Recipe

If you’ve ever ordered a delightfully meaty and tender, charred octopus dish at a restaurant and immediately thought to yourself, “Wow, I wish I could make this kind of thing at home,” well—you can. And this recipe is going to light the way. Whether you’re looking to dazzle your company at your next dinner party or wanting to make something extra special for a date night in, this grilled octopus dish is definitely worth stepping out of your cooking comfort zone for. As intimidating as it may seem, preparing octopus at home is easier than you’d think. Octopus can be found at specialty grocery stores (such as Whole Foods), fish markets, and Asian or international markets. The key to preparing this wow-worthy seafood at home is giving the meat a preliminary cook (no matter how you intend to proceed in preparing it) in order to tenderize the meat. In this recipe, we first simmer the octopus in a flavorful, aromatic-filled cooking liquid and finish then finish the cooking on the grill to develop bold, caramelized flavor and crispy char. We especially love how this preparation for octopus is so rich in flavor, but not at all heavy. Served alongside a vibrant Baby Bok Choy Slaw, this dish is as elegant as it is comforting. 

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Grilled Tuna with Chunky Tapenade Salsa

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Grilled Tuna with Chunky Tapenade Salsa Recipe

Two classic dips, tapenade and salsa, join forces for a fish topper that is salty, scoopable, and summer-fresh.

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Flounder Grilled on Banana Leaves

Credit: Victor Protasio

Flounder Grilled on Banana Leaves Recipe

Many cooks only grill thick fish steaks because thin fillets break and fall into the fire. But a banana leaf solves the problem elegantly. It’s naturally nonstick, covers the rack, and lends subtle grassy sweetness to thinner fillets like flounder, snapper, tilapia, and sole, along with smoky grilled flavor.

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Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter Recipe

The briny flavors of the oysters are further enhanced with the super-savory compound butter used in this recipe. Throwing the element of smokiness from the grill, and you’ve got yourself a little bite of heaven. Oysters are incredibly quick cooking, so allowing them to warm gently as the butter melts over the meat is the way to go.

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Grilled Rainbow Trout with Chimichurri

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Grilled Rainbow Trout with Chimichurri Recipe

The trout has a nice smoky flavor that is cut by the freshness and acidity of the chimichurri. For a less smoky flavor, seek out thinner fillets (which will take less time to cook).

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Simple Grilled Halibut

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Simple Grilled Halibut Recipe

Though simple, this recipe provides you with the tools to grill most any flakey fish. We happen to particularly love halibut because it’s an inherently flavorful fish that requires no more than salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to taste absolutely divine

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Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa Recipe

Here we combine two of the our favorite early-summer ingredients—cherry tomatoes and fresh basil—into a fresh take salsa. For the crispiest skin (that doesn’t stick to the grill), be sure your grill grates are very clean and the grill is preheated for at least 15 minutes. Avocado adds creaminess and a punch of gut-healthy prebiotics.

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Grilled Salmon with Orange-Soy Glaze

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Grilled Salmon with Orange-Soy Glaze Recipe

While the grill is obviously the cooking method for casual, outdoor-centered meals and gatherings, don’t forget that you can still bring a touch of sit-down-dinner-type sophistication to the patio table too. This buttery, smoky, and gloriously glaze-y salmon does just that. We call for individual fillets in this recipe, but you could also opt for going with a whole side of salmon (of roughly equivalent weight) for a truly impressive presentation. 

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Grilled Spiny Lobsters with Herbed Oil

Credit: Photography: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Grilled Spiny Lobsters with Herbed Oil Recipe

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Grill-Braised Clams and Chorizo in Tomato-Saffron Broth

Credit: Anna Williams; Styling: Pam Morris

Grill-Braised Clams and Chorizo in Tomato-Saffron Broth Recipe

Spanish flavors inspire this simple but intense summery braise. Saffron gives the tomato broth a nutty complexity, while the spice and heat of chorizo liven up the clams.

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Grilled Whole Branzino with Chermoula

Grilled Whole Branzino with Chermoula Recipe

Take advantage of the summer sun and cook dinner on the grill.

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Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter Recipe

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Simple Grilled Whole Lobster

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Simple Grilled Whole Lobster Recipe

Cooking fresh lobster may seem intimidating—but after you do it once, it’s really no sweat. Grilling them is a great way to cook fresh lobster as it imparts a delicious smoky flavor to the crustacean’s rich meat, and being that you can eat them right from the shells, it’s super simple too. Just be sure you’re working with a sharp knife when you set out to prepare your grilled lobster. This easy dish makes for a perfectly elegant summer supper for two, so you may just want to have your next date night at home. Serve your grilled lobster with melted butter and lemon wedges, along with whatever fresh sides you love. A simple green salad, grilled corn, or roasted potatoes would all be great options. 

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Grilled Salmon with a Farmers’ Market Salad

Credit: Sara Tane

Grilled Salmon with a Farmers’ Market Salad Recipe

For a hearty, summer salad that’s bursting with fresh, seasonal finds from your local farmers’ market, this healthy dish is about to be your go-to dinner. Topped with an simple grilled fillet of salmon and tossed in a light, citrus vinaigrette, this salad allows the fresh flavors of the produce to shine through. Substitute or add different produce items based on what’s in season and what you like. If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan can be easily substituted.

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Grilled Shrimp Satay with Shiitake Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, and Udon Noodles

Grilled Shrimp Satay with Shiitake Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, and Udon Noodles Recipe

Our favorite peel 'n' eat seafood gets new life with one kitchen-friendly formula: Shrimp + Starch + Sauce = Delish

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Grilled Trout with Cherry Compote

Credit: Justin Walker

Grilled Trout with Cherry Compote Recipe

If you can't find whole trout, use fillets; they'll only need to grill for about 4 minutes. You can also use 20 ounces frozen, thawed cherries: Use the liquid (don't drain them); simmer in step 1 until the liquid almost fully evaporates before stirring in the port and honey.

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Mediterranean Seafood Grill with Skordalia