21 Fish Fillet Recipes for Easy Dinners

Easy and versatile fish fillets make a simple dinner that will please the whole family and they lend themselves well to a wide range of styles. Whether you broil, grill, fry, or bake fish fillets, their thinness means they can be ready in a snap. For that reason, fish fillets can also overcook easily, so keep an eye on them and cook just until they flake easily and the flesh is just barely opaque. Fish freezes well, so keep a bag of fillets on hand for a last-minute dinner. And when buying fresh, make sure the fish smells clean and a little like seawater, but not too “fishy.” The flesh should be smooth, firm, moist, and a bit translucent with even coloring. Use fresh fish within a day or so of purchase; the fresher, the better.

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01 of 21

Parmesan Crusted Baked Fish Fillets

The Spruce

This super simple baked dish has a cheesy, crunchy topping that gives you the texture of fried fish without the mess. Try making your own breadcrumbs from leftover bread and serve it with a side of tartar sauce, lemon slices for squeezing, coleslaw, and French fries. Once you master this recipe, it makes a great template for experimentation.
02 of 21

Baked Halibut Fillets With Mushroom Cream Sauce

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

A rich and creamy sauce studded with sliced mushrooms gives flaky halibut fillets a deliciously decadent presentation without a lot of work. Use fresh mushrooms for better flavor, or canned to put it together more quickly. This recipe also easily sizes down to serve two, as well.
03 of 21

Grilled Sea Bass With Garlic Butter

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

A simple garlic and butter sauce showcases the delicate, slightly smoky taste of grilled sea bass fillets. Use fresh parsley for a stronger herbal flavor and serve with rice and grilled veggies to complete the meal. Don’t forget to oil the grill grates right before the fish hits the heat, so it doesn’t stick.
04 of 21

Fish Florentine

Diana Rattray

Use haddock, cod, or other mild white fish fillets for this creamy iron-rich baked casserole. Cream of mushroom soup gives it a hearty richness, while buttered breadcrumbs add a little crunch. And with just a handful of ingredients, you may have what you need on hand already.

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05 of 21

Easy Broiled Haddock

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This easy broiled haddock is ready before you can say, “What’s for dinner?” Basted with a simple soy and vegetable oil mixture, then served with a fresh-tasting lemon sauce and parsley, it has a nice Asian-influenced flavor with just a few ingredients. Try serving it over rice to soak up the sauce.
06 of 21

Baked Haddock With Creamy Crab Sauce

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

What tastes even better than mild haddock fillets? Topping them off with a succulent, creamy crab sauce! Adding sliced green onions and flaky crab meat to a simple homemade white sauce makes it elegant enough for company. Use imitation crab meat, if you don’t have the genuine article.
07 of 21

Cornflake-Crusted Baked Cod

The Spruce

Try this cornflake-crusted baked cod for a texture that might remind you of your kids’ fish sticks, but plenty of adult flavor. A little Dijon mustard gives it extra zip, while the crunchy topping contrasts perfectly with the tender fish fillets. Serve with tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges.
08 of 21

Creamy Fish Chowder

The Spruce

Nothing beats a rich, creamy fish chowder on a chilly day and this one comes packed with cod or haddock fillets, potatoes, carrots, and enough onion to deepen the flavor. For a more meaty chowder, try sautéing the onion in bacon drippings and crumbling some more bacon on top. Pollock or a similar white fish would work in this recipe, too.

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09 of 21

Spice-Rubbed Cod Fillets

The Spruce

For a low-fat broiled fish that doesn't taste like diet food, look no further than these spice-rubbed cod fillets. The assertive spice rub will tickle your taste buds, without any extra oil or butter. Cover flaky fillets with a mixture of paprika, cumin, turmeric, and coriander, then broil or stick them on the grill. Adjust the spice level to match your personal preferences.
10 of 21

Baked Teriyaki Salmon

Leah Maroney

Asian flavors and salmon go together perfectly, and this recipe for teriyaki salmon is a delicious way to enjoy the pairing. A mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger powders, and cornstarch is first used as a marinade and then cooked into a thick sauce. The fish is finished with a spoonful of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds and scallions.
11 of 21

Cajun Seasoned Beer-Battered Fish Fillets

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Head down to the bayou with this Cajun-inspired fried fish for a fresh way to use basic fish fillets. Beer gives the batter a shatteringly crisp crunch, while Tabasco or a similar hot sauce lends it a peppy zip. Serve the fish in tortillas for fish tacos or with coleslaw and French fries.
12 of 21

Basic Fried Cod Fillets

The Spruce

Everyone should know how to make a basic fried fish recipe and this one will hit the spot. Haddock or cod work well for this preparation because they hold up well under frying, but tilapia or pollock are fine, too. Start with this basic preparation then try adding different seasonings to make it your own as you master it.

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13 of 21

Blackened Fish on the Grill

The Spruce

Cod works well in this Cajun-spiced blackened fish recipe because its mild flavor tastes great with zesty seasonings and its firm, flaky texture can handle the intense heat of the grill. Because blackening fish in a blazing-hot skillet can get smoky, doing it on the grill keeps your kitchen clean. That said, a skillet will also work if you don’t have a grill and you can handle a little extra clean-up. (We recommend putting the fan on.)
14 of 21

Coconut Fish Fillets With Mango Salsa

The Spruce / Marian Blazes

Transport your taste buds to warmer climes with this island-inspired fish that uses a coconut crust and fresh mango salsa. Coconut gives it a nice sweetness, while curry adds a hint of spice. The mango salsa lends a fruity and zesty element that also works with chicken and steak, so save the recipe for future dishes.
15 of 21

Honey-Orange Fish Fillets

LauriPatterson / Getty Images

With a sweet and tangy flavor and pretty presentation, these honey-orange fish fillets come together easily, but taste impressive enough to serve guests. Try swapping out the fresh dill for thyme, marjoram, or other fresh herbs if you want a different note. Halibut, Arctic char, cod, or other mild white fish fillets all stand out in this recipe.
16 of 21

Mahi-Mahi With Lemon Dill Sauce

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Mahi-mahi is a meaty fish you will often find in restaurants, but can also be made at home. This lemon-dill recipe has a fresh brightness that highlights the fish perfectly. Sear them on the stovetop to lock in flavor, then finish them under the broiler with a tangy dill and mustard sauce. You may also see Mahi-Mahi labeled as Dorado or Dolphinfish.

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17 of 21

Hawaiian Fish Sandwich

The Spruce / Molly Watson

For an easy, casual supper, try a simple and satisfying fish sandwich. Just cook meaty fish fillets in a searing hot pan, then stick them on soft buns with lettuce, a slice of red onion, tomato, and the sauce of your choice. Tartar sauce works well, but you may also like mayonnaise or hot sauce.
18 of 21

Maple Glazed Salmon Fillet

The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

A maple, soy, ginger, and garlic glaze gives juicy salmon fillets a lovely sweet and spicy flavor that tastes special without slaving all day. Cook them on a griddle, in a frying pan, or even on the grill over low flames. Add more chili flakes for a spicier flavor, or omit them entirely to highlight the caramelized sweetness.
19 of 21

Baked Stuffed Fish Fillets

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Flaky white fish fillets and a hearty sage-scented bread stuffing bake up in muffin tins in this unique, yet recipe. Sole and flounder work well, but thin tilapia can substitute, as well. Just make sure to choose thin fillets rather than steak-like cuts, so they can roll up in the muffin tins.
20 of 21

Easy and Flavorful Smoked Tilapia

The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

Seasoned with just a basic lemon, garlic, and pepper mixture, smoked tilapia tastes like summer any time of year. Fish smokes more quickly than other meats because of its thinness, so it makes a great choice for busier weekends. Serve it with fresh lemon slices for squeezing to really enhance the flavor.

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21 of 21

Skillet-Fried Fish Nuggets

Diana Miller Getty Images

You’ll never pick up a bag of fish nuggets again once you try making your own at home. These come out crunchy, crispy, and perfect for dipping. The kids and kids-at-heart will love them. Serve with tartar sauce, barbecue sauce, or just ketchup and a side of French fries.

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