Hello, Seafoodies!
Let’s hear it for squeezing every last drop out of summer! The longer daylight hours, the spontaneous beach trips, the outdoor concerts, the farmers’ market hauls, the backyard grilling sessions that turn into three-hour hangs and, of course, bountiful plates brimming with tasty warm-weather staples.
Speaking of one of the absolute best seasonal meals, this year, we’re officially declaring it the Summer of the Sandwich…and for so many good reasons.
Sandwiches don’t require tons of complicated ingredients or pre-planning. They come together fast when you’d rather be poolside or mapping out your next road trip than standing over a stove. They’re infinitely customizable, so everyone gets exactly what they want without complaints. And most importantly, they’re the perfect excuse to skip formal dining and just eat with your hands while sitting on the porch, standing at the counter or sprawled out on a picnic blanket somewhere (ooh, we can’t wait!!).
Seafood sandwiches take all of that and add serious nutritional benefits that basic lunch meat can’t compete with. Omega-3 fatty acids support brain and heart health. Vitamin D helps with bone health and mood regulation. Vitamin B-12 supports energy and nerve function. Selenium acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells. Plus they’re super easy to whip up.
So, in the true spirit of making the most of every moment and meal of the summer, we’ve created a sandwich bucket list with 16 awesome recipes because, honestly, there’s a seafood sandwich for every mood and moment—and we can prove it with this roundup. Quick and casual lunches call for Simple Salmon Sliders and Cheesy Pimento Tuna Melts. When you’re craving something restaurant-quality without leaving the house, Air Fryer Shrimp Po’ Boy Burgers and Easy Lobster Reubens really bring on that elevated flavor. For impressing guests, Grilled Mediterranean Cedar Plank Salmon Gyros and Lobster Rolls both look like you put in way more effort than you actually did. And when indulgence is calling…Sourdough Crab Melts and Fried Oyster BLTs are absolutely worth every bite.
Beyond those crowd favorites, there’s something for every summer situation, too. Packing a picnic means reaching for Hot n’ Crunchy Fish Sandwiches to add a healthy side of satisfying crunch to your spread. A backyard cookout calls for Salmon Smash Burgers with Sriracha Mayo for when you want to stand out from the burger crowd. Lunch at your desk becomes something to look forward to with Blackened Grouper Sandwiches—like a mini, midday vacation as you count down the minutes until the end of work and the start of another beautiful summer night. Beach trips pair perfectly with Crab Salad Sandwiches—simple, fresh and easy to eat with one hand. And the menu for any last-minute dinner parties will absolutely benefit from a few Open-Faced Flounder Sandwiches, or give these Folded Tuna Fish Sandwiches a try for a creative twist on a classic that’ll amaze everyone in the best way!
The truth is, summer’s way too short to spend it tied up with elaborate recipes when a really good seafood sandwich will do the job in seconds. Stock your fridge and freezer with seafood, keep a fresh loaf of bread on hand and you’re always one speedy assembly session away from a mouthwatering meal.
Welcome to the Summer of the Sandwich—we hope you’re hungry!
Crispy fried whitefish between soft bread with all the classic toppings delivers a satisfying crunch that completely proves why sandwich season is worth celebrating—and all in only 30 minutes!
You’ve been warned…one slider is never enough! These mini patties might be small, but they’re loaded with flavor and nutrients—canned salmon mixed with cracker crumbs, egg, fresh dill, onion and red bell pepper, then pan-fried until golden brown.
The sandwich’s ooey-gooey cousin, canned tuna and store-bought pimento cheese make this melt super easy to enjoy, creating a comfort food that’s an incredible combination of creamy, savory and crisp.
Air Fryer Shrimp Po’ Boy Burger with Remoulade Sauce
With a light, cornmeal-panko coating, these scrumptious shrimp patties are just as crunchy as their popcorn-shrimp counterparts—but they’re extra juicy inside—for the best of both worlds, all wrapped up in the bold New Orleans flavor of a classic po’ boy.
Salmon Smash Burgers with Sriracha Mayo
Our tried and true smash technique creates seared, caramelized edges on salmon burgers that are anything but predictable—especially when topped with homemade spicy sriracha mayo.
In our quest to upgrade our everyday sandwich go-to, we delightfully stumbled upon a remarkable new kitchen combination (buttery crab salad piled onto toasted sourdough and broiled until golden), creating a summer sandwich that will disappear faster than you can make them.
Serve these burgers on toasted brioche buns with all the fixings for a low-key backyard dinner or plate them with a glass of chilled white wine for an elevated date night on the beach. Either way, you’ll be returning to this recipe on multiple occasions.
Flavored pouched salmon is great to keep on hand because it’s not only affordable but it also makes it super easy to whip up these delicious and nutritious burgers whenever hunger strikes!
Grilled Mediterranean Cedar Plank Salmon Gyros
Get your grill on—cedar plank style—when you try this unique (and easy) method for infusing your salmon with flavor. No stress needed, we walk you through the entire cooking process, step by step.
In the Florida Keys, lobster reubens have earned a cult following (one restaurant will even ship them to your house!)—so we decided to create our own “quick and easy” version that Seafoodies can enjoy at home. For those who say you can’t improve upon a classic, we respectfully disagree!
Cool, creamy crab salad served up in a buttery croissant becomes the kind of simple summertime lunch that needs nothing else to be wonderfully satisfying. And good news—actual crab meat or imitation crab meat can be used; whichever you have on hand will be equally delicious.
Sweet lobster with just enough mayo on a soft bun is already perfect, but lining everything with lettuce first? That’s the pro move that keeps everything from falling apart.
Everyone loves a good BLT, but fried oysters bring in a whole new dimension—crispy exterior, tender interior and a briny depth that bacon wishes it could match. This is truly an amazing sandwich!
This is where sushi-meets-sandwich in the most delicious way possible! Seaweed sheets folded around seasoned tuna, rice, avocado and cucumber for a handheld creation that’s part sushi roll, part sandwich and all amazing.
Blackening is the technique of searing seasoned fish in a screaming hot cast iron skillet until the spices form a wonderfully charred crust—and mild, firm grouper was practically made for this cooking method! Make the Cajun remoulade sauce ahead of time; it stores well and will significantly cut down on the day-of preparations.
Open-faced sandwiches are absolutely underrated, and this flounder version is an impeccable argument for why they deserve more love—tender fish, pickled cucumbers and spicy mayo all displayed beautifully on sourdough. All we can say is…yum!
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