Salutations, Seafoodies!
In the Dish on Fish kitchen, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and this year feels a little extra special! We’re celebrating America 250, a quarter-millennium of American history, traditions and, yes, amazing food! The long May weekend practically demands hosting backyard potlucks, gathering around the grill or just finding any excuse to eat outside—and this Memorial Day definitely deserves a spread that brings people together around the table.
American-style seafood cooking is all about bold flavors, crowd-pleasing classics and recipes that work for gatherings where you’d rather be holding a drink and playing yard games than running around your kitchen in a daze. Think seafood boils that feed a crowd, burgers and tacos made for grilling season and finger foods perfect for grazing while the party gets started.
So, call them classics, call them crowd-pleasers, call them the family-favorites that everyone hopes you’re going to make—the recipes in this roundup show up at cookouts every summer for one simple reason: they never disappoint. Nothing fussy, nothing complicated, just good food that works! And because American seafood draws from coast to coast, you’re not locked into one style or flavor combination. New England seafood boils, Southern po’ boys, Pacific Coast tacos, Midwestern fish sandwiches—every region has its own take. That means options for every palate: spicy, sweet, tangy, smoky, whatever your crew is craving, there’s a recipe here that delivers.
For appetizers and sides, Sheet Pan Nachos turn one of our favorite party snacks into something special, especially when the protein piled on top is sweet crab. A Seacuterie Board is a great excuse to get extra creative—arranging smoked salmon, tinned fish, crackers and toppings into a stunning spread that requires zero cooking (which is great when the grill burners are already full)!
After savoring some starters, serve up a Triple Seafood Boil if you really want to WOW a hungry crowd—corn, potatoes, carrots, mussels, clams and shrimp all cook together, making this recipe a serious contender as the ultimate centerpiece for any Memorial Day gathering. Or, maybe you want to put your grillmaster skills to good use instead? Lemon-Pepper Salmon Burgers and Air Fryer Shrimp Po’ Boy Burgers bring seafood grillside, along with (or instead of) traditional beef patties for two fantastic options that will stand out from your usual lineup. Finally, round out any spread with Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers that cook faster than everything else, stay deliciously moist and jucy—all while looking twice as impressive lined up on a platter.
Speaking of impressive, our taste-testers swear that this Hot n’ Crunchy Fish Sandwich recipe is a perfect dupe for any drive-through version—same crispy, golden-fried satisfaction, way better-for-you ingredients. And we’ve never met anyone who’s turned down a taco, but especially not when it’s our Grilled Salmon Tacos with Mango-Avocado Salsa or Baja-Style Street Fish Tacos loaded with fresh, bright flavors that practically taste like a party on a plate.
Taking the good vibes inside? Easy Broiled Lobster Tails brings a touch of luxury to the table without requiring much skill—just butter, heat and a few minutes under the broiler. Mango Chipotle BBQ Salmon balances sweet and smoky in one easy sheet-pan meal (did someone say low-effort cleanup?!), while Shrimp and Pesto Naan Pizzas are a quick, 20-minute, crowd-pleasing option—no grill needed!
This Memorial Day, join us in celebrating diverse American flavors, American traditions and 250 years of bringing people together over good food.
However you’re spending the long weekend, we hope these seafood recipes help you make it delicious!
This is what you make when you need to feed a crowd this Memorial Day, without spending all afternoon in the kitchen—mussels, clams, shrimp, corn, potatoes and carrots all cook together in one massive pot. Dump it out on a table covered in butcher paper, hand everyone some napkins and let the feast begin!
These aren’t your typical backyard burgers! Bright, fresh and totally different from some traditional options, they hold together beautifully on the grill and pack enough flavor to make you wonder why you don’t make salmon burgers more often.
Air Fryer Shrimp Po’ Boy Burger with Remoulade Sauce
New Orleans flavor meets burger season in this Southern-inspired creation that piles crispy air-fried shrimp patties and tangy remoulade onto a bun. It’s wholesome, it’s delicious and it proves shrimp absolutely belongs at your Memorial Day cookout.
Our taste-testers swear this beats any drive-through version—same crispy, golden-fried satisfaction, way better ingredients. Make a batch and watch them disappear faster than you can say “who wants seconds?”
Grilled Salmon Tacos with Mango-Avocado Salsa
Grilled salmon gets piled into tortillas with sweet mango, creamy avocado and a squeeze of lime for tacos that taste like summer vacation. Light enough that you won’t feel weighed down but satisfying enough that nobody’s raiding the leftovers an hour later.
Sweet honey and savory garlic create the kind of flavor combination that makes these skewers disappear faster than you can light a firework! They cook quickly, look impressive and give you an excuse to stand by the grill with a cold drink while everyone tells you how great they taste.
Lobster sounds fancy, but broiling it is actually ridiculously simple—brush with butter, stick it under the broiler, wait a few minutes, done. The result tastes expensive and celebratory without requiring any complicated cooking skills.
Sweet mango and smoky chipotle come together in a BBQ sauce that hits all the right notes—fruity, spicy, tangy and totally addictive. One sheet pan handles the whole meal, which means you’re not juggling multiple dishes while guests are arriving.
Store-bought naan becomes the base for quick personal protein pizzas topped with shrimp, basil, pesto and melted cheese that’s ready in about 15 minutes. It’s a mouthwatering option when every burner on the grill is already claimed or you want to go grill-less!
Nachos get a seafood upgrade with sweet crab piled on top of tortilla chips, cheese and all your favorite toppings. They bake on a single sheet pan and upgrade a familiar favorite into something that feels special enough for a holiday weekend.
Arrange smoked salmon, tinned fish, crackers, pickles, olives and spreads on a beautiful board and suddenly you’ve got an impressive appetizer that requires zero cooking. The best part? Watching people discover new favorite flavor pairings—whether it’s sardines with grainy mustard or smoked salmon dip with hard-boiled eggs and pickles!
Crispy battered fish gets tucked into warm tortillas with crunchy cabbage slaw, creamy sauce and a squeeze of lime for tacos that taste like you’re eating on a beach somewhere—all from the comforts of your own backyard bash. They’re messy in the best possible way, and it’s impossible to eat only one!
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