40 Days of Fresh Fish Recipes for Lent

By Robert W. • Feb 22, 2024

Eating fish during Lent is a tradition with deep historical and cultural roots in Christianity. While this period of 40 days leading up to Easter is a time of self-reflection, fasting, and repentance, there is no reason you should not thoroughly enjoy the fish you put on your table! Try our 40 Days of Fresh Fish Recipes for Lent and you might not even miss the meat!

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#1. Lemon Butter Fish

The mild flavors of white fish are perfect for accenting and melding with richness and tartness for a truly delectable dinner! Lemon Butter Fish is pan-fried to a crispy delight with a herbaceous jacket before being drizzled with lemon butter. The lemon butter is the stuff of dreams, bright and rich and wonderful for elevating savory sensations. Lemon Butter Fish only takes 20 minutes to make so you can save yourself a trip to your favorite seafood restaurant and whip this up yourself!

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#2. Fiesta Fish Tacos

Break out the streamers, music, and dancing —it's time for a celebration! Best of all, this is a celebration your taste buds can join in on too! Fiesta Fish Tacos are a literal festival of flavors; savory, smoky, fragrant, and spicy, all on a dance floor of flaky, tender fish! But the party can't start without some bursts of color and crunch from the homemade coleslaw and toasted tortillas. Fiesta Fish Tacos bring brightness to the dinner table and they'll leave you feeling the beat!

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#3. Easy Fried Fish

Seabreeze on your cheek, the sun beaming down, and the lap of the waves: a bite of Easy Fried Fish invokes all of these vacation sensations. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Easy Fried Fish is a sunny dish that balances a light texture with a solid heartiness. You can have this dish ready in 30 minutes or less, and you can pair it with just about any topping and side. You can tell takeout to take a hike.

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#4. Best Oven-Baked Cod

Avast! Ride the waves of flavor with a delicious seafood bounty! The Best Oven-Baked Cod is a boatful of great fish flavors everyone will want to reel in! Sailing with great seasoning, these flaky, golden codfish fillets are a great catch for a perfect lunch or light dinner. Swimming with so much pizzazz, Best Oven-Baked Cod will definitely pull you overboard in delight! All of your crew will love it!

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#5. Buttery Garlic Salmon

If you love salmon, you are going to adore this one! Buttery Garlic Salmon is top-of-the-line when it comes to your favorite fish pick. Thick, meaty salmon fillets are cooked until golden-brown, then showered in a simple, yet outstanding buttery garlic sauce. Leaps and bounds above the rest, Buttery Garlic Salmon is an elegantly easy, special or normal day recipe that all your fish-lovers will treasure. Swim on up to some really great tastes!

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#6. Easy Buttermilk Catfish

It really doesn't get much easier than Easy Buttermilk Catfish. Season, dip, dredge, bake. That's it. That's all that separates you from a crunchy coated, zesty seasoned fish dinner infused with the tang of buttermilk. In less than half an hour, you could be celebrating this sweet and flaky fish in delicious Southern style! Easy Buttermilk Catfish makes life easy, and that's no lie!

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#7. Tilapia Veracruz

Tilapia Veracruz takes inspiration from the cuisine surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, and what it inspires in you will be pure joy! The flaky, mild, and sweet fish is baked on top of a sauce of diverse flavors, including salty capers, tangy olives, sweet raisins, and bright cherry tomatoes. It all comes together to make a meal that mixes savory, sweet, and sour to deliver a nourishing meal that just makes everyone happy. Tilapia Veracruz is a delight, pure and simple!

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#8. Captain Sticks

Ahoy landlubber! Dare ye take to the high seas of flavor and adventure with the best fish sticks to ever sail the seven seas! Captain Sticks crest the waves of Poseidon's realm with a tender heart of flaky, savory fish in a hull of crispy, crunchy potato chips! Avast! These Captain Sticks know they need a good crew with them, and so they set sail to your taste buds with their first mate... homemade, tangy tartar sauce! It's a fair wind with these on your table!

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#9. Ultimate Sweet Salmon

Ultimate Sweet Salmon makes the most of the succulent, tender pink fish! The richness of the fish flavor complements the smoky-sweet and citrus-bright glaze brushed on top! The pecans on top add extra notes of buttery, nutty flavor and offer up a wonderful contrasting crunch to the flaky feast beneath! Let Ultimate Sweet Salmon be the end-all, be-all of great homemade fish!

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#10. Pan-Fried Tilapia

Tilapia is a great go-to fish because you can always find it at the grocery store! Its mild flavor blends nicely with a wide range of toppings and seasoning, as the Pan-Fried Tilapia demonstrates. This lightly fried recipe is crispy and flaky with a touch of heat and sweetness, perfect for pairing with potatoes or a slaw salad. Pan-Fried Tilapia takes less than half an hour to make so it can become a weeknight favorite in no time!

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#11. Crack Salmon

How do salmon stay in shape? They do a lot of "fish-ical" exercise! Ha, get it?! Well, whether you're also a fitness enthusiast, or just a food fanatic, Crack Salmon will certainly tickle your fancy. These flaky fillets get nestled next to some fresh veggies and are served over a bed of rice for a meal you'll be pumped about. The sweet molasses glaze that's drizzled over the top is the pure flavor gains you're longing for. Isn't it funny how something like Crack Salmon can be so good for your taste buds and nourishment for your body? That's the kind of food humor we're here for!

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#12. Quick & Easy Baked Fish Fillets

Quick & Easy Baked Fish Fillets will make you feel like you are at the beach! You can't ask for much more than a delicious dinner that it is both fast to whip up and easy to make. Quick & Easy Baked Fish Fillets will become a dinner staple in your home in no time. Enjoy!

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#13. Tuscan Salmon

Take your taste buds on vacation to the sunny hills and vistas of Tuscany! Tuscan Salmon is infused with Mediterranean seasonings and dressed in a rich cream sauce that feels both rustic and elegant. Bright bursts of sun-dried tomatoes, tender spinach, and of course the flaky, fatty fish all make this speedy dish a wonder to eat! It’s a dinner renaissance!

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#14. Island-Style Baked Mahi

With a little twist to the traditional menu, your holiday dinner can become positively tropical! Island-Style Baked Mahi takes the sweet, mild flavors of mahi-mahi and accents them with a nutty, fruity wine marinade. Made extra fatty and satisfying with mayo and butter, this tender fish literally melts in your mouth. Island-Style Baked Mahi can serve as a unique holiday main course or as a favorite weekday dinner, and elicit the same excited reaction for both occasions!

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#15. Blackened Salmon

Blackened Salmon is a classic and easy way to enjoy salmon, and the spices in this recipe add a flavorful Cajun twist! This fish is perfectly seasoned with additions like smoky paprika, spicy cayenne powder, and earthy dried thyme. Blackened Salmon is so juicy, savory, and delicious, it will become your go-to fish recipe, especially during the week!

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#16. Tilapia Piccata

Scrumptious Tilapia Piccata is a fish dish that feels fantastic! Full of delicious citrusy bright flavors and garlic, it comes out of the oven perfectly flaky and juicy! Tilapia Piccata is so tasty, you’ll want to make this savory coastal dish again and again. It’s an easy way to feel like you’re sitting at a seafood restaurant by the water, even if the ocean is far away!

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#17. Salmon Cakes

Crab cakes might get a little crabby when they learn they have competition! Salmon Cakes have that tender on the inside, crispy on the outside texture, and the coastal flavor you'd expect from crab cakes, but with the famously fatty and rosy fish instead of shellfish. Salmon Cakes are perfect when paired with fries, pan-seared asparagus, or a light, refreshing salad to capture that summertime feeling. It's also perfect for patio parties and cookouts since it makes enough for everyone. It would be shell-fish not to share!

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#18. Crispy Sesame Salmon

One of salmon's best characteristics might just be its versatility. Put it on a salad, in a rice bowl, alongside your favorite sides — there really is no wrong way to go when this favorable fish is involved. Crispy Sesame Salmon takes it to new heights by adding sweet, nutty, tangy, almost buttery flavor and cooking the fish in cubes to ensure you experience crunchy, crispy perfection with every munch. Who knew salmon could get any better? You'll be wondering that every time you sit down to enjoy Crispy Sesame Salmon!

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#19. Quick Baked Fish

Quick Baked Fish has a simple goal: get a simple yet delicious fish dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less so you don't have to add cooking to the stresses of your workday. It succeeds, and marvelously at that! The fish is flaky and tender, with plenty of rich butter and smoky seasonings to bring out the best of its flavors. Quick Baked Fish will impress by giving you exactly what you need when you need it most. So don't worry, dinner's going to be a (sea) breeze!

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#20. Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Who says you can't enjoy a good casserole when you're watching what you eat? If anything, that gives you all the more reason to love the Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole! Just as crunchy, creamy, cheesy, and savory as traditional tuna noodle casserole but now with less fat and calories! Almond milk brings a healthier kind of creaminess, and mushrooms add more delicious vitamins and extra savory flavor to the fish. Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole indulges the taste buds without affecting the waistline! Sounds like a win-win!

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#21. Nutty Lemon Tilapia

There are so many reasons to go nuts for Nutty Lemon Tilapia. First off, it only takes 10 minutes to make: fast food would find its head spinning at that speed! Next, it's easy; 7 steps are all that separate you from a full-fledged main course with sumptuous sauce. Most importantly, it's amazing. Nutty Lemon Tilapia has savory, flaky fish served alongside a buttery, bright sauce and topped with crunchy almonds. It's crazy how fantastic this dish is!

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#22. Johnny Cash Catfish

One of Johnny Cash's all-time favorite foods just happens to be one of the most delicious Southern dishes of all time: fried catfish. Johnny Cash Catfish is the epitome of this classic culinary delight, with sweet and mild fish dredged in a light, airy, and seasoned batter. Fried to a golden-brown and crispy perfection, Johnny Cash Catfish walks the line between a hearty dinner and an afternoon snack. You can even have it ready in 20 minutes or less!

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#23. Potato Chip Fish

This takes the whole concept of "fish and chips" to a whole new place and a whole new level. Potato Chip Fish literally crusts the pan-fried flaky fish in crunchy potato chips, combining the best of snack time and dinner in each bite. Better yet, Potato Chip Fish uses tangy and sweet honey mustard sauce to get the chips to stick to the savory fish, so you have the dip, side dish, and main course all rolled into one! This is such a speedy supper, you'll be snapping it up every weeknight!

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#24. Lemon Cod

Cod is the perfect foundation for incredible dishes; it soaks in aromas and flavors like a sponge, so every flaky bite is a taste explosion. Lemon Cod puts these fantastic qualities on full display with a bright, rich sauce infusing the fish with citrusy joy throughout. Add in a crispy, smoky, and even more lemony seasoning mix, and Lemon Cod practically radiates in sweet tanginess. Plus you can have this sunbeam of a dish ready in just half an hour.

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#25. Tilapia Florentine

Don't let the name intimidate you; Tilapia Florentine is ready in 30 minutes and is a breeze to make! Heart-healthy tilapia is drizzled with tangy lemon juice and enriching canola oil. Delicious garlic-herb seasoning coats the flakey fish, and a cheesy ricotta and spinach mix melts to perfection over the top. Served with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a lemon wedge, you could say making Tilapia Florentine is easy-peasy lemon squeezy.

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#26. Garlic Mahi-Mahi

What happens when you pair the sweet flavor of mahi-mahi with the fragrant savoriness of garlic? Garlic Mahi-Mahi is a speedy and scrumptious seafood dish that will shake up your weeknights! The fish is flaky and tender, the sauce is zesty, herby, and bright, and the sautéed asparagus is crunchy and fresh. Garlic Mahi-Mahi invokes enjoying dinner by the shore even if you're landlocked! Grab some white wine and enjoy the summer sun with this dish!

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#27. Crispy Fish Sticks

Fish sticks should just be school cafeteria fare or baked up from the frozen section. Crispy Fish Sticks show just how good fish sticks can be when you make them from scratch: the fish is extra flaky and flavor, the coating is crispier and with better seasoning, and they’re perfect for serving with fries! Best of all, it only takes 30 minutes to make your own Crispy Fish Sticks, so it’s great for when you want to shake up your weeknight dinners!

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#28. Pan-Fried Flounder

Flounder is a lovely white, flaky fish that can be seasoned with just about anything! Pan-Fried Flounder accents the fish with a buttery, lemony pan sauce that adds richness and brightness. With a crispy and crunchy bread crumb, Pan-Fried Flounder is satisfyingly savory to boot! This dish only takes 20 minutes to make and is best served with a Mediterranean salad or roasted vegetables.

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#29. Lemon-Battered Fish

What is it about the bright citrus flavor of lemon that brings out the best in fish? Maybe the acidity and tanginess bring out the savoriness and sweetness of fish. Or maybe it just reminds your tastebuds of the beauty of the sun on the ocean. In either case, Lemon-Battered Fish promises to delight; you can hear it in the name alone. The fish is pan-fried to a gorgeous crispy golden brown and infused with lemon. Lemon-Battered Fish is flaky and tender on the inside and a true snap to make. Now you can enjoy the seaside sun from anywhere.

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#30. Parmesan Fish Sticks

The school cafeteria favorite gets an update that will have you flipping! Parmesan Fish Sticks are fresher, crunchier, and more flavorful than anything you could find in the freezer aisle. The fish is tender and the exterior is crispy and infused with sharp, cheesy parmesan and herbaceous flavors. Parmesan Fish Sticks are quick to make and are amazing as a snack or as a main course!

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#31. Springtime Tilapia

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the aromas of Springtime Tilapia are in the air! The flaky, heart-healthy fish is coated with savory bread crumbs, earthy olive oil, pickle-y dill, and tangy lemon juice–can't you just smell it?! Springtime Tilapia is ready in under 20 minutes, so you can quickly dig in and enjoy every moment of the season with a satisfied belly!

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#32. Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon is, as the name suggests, an easy recipe that will spice up your fish cooking skills! This sweet and simple recipe cooks up in minutes! The fish comes out of the oven perfectly flaky and full of flavor. Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon is a delicious baked dish that pairs perfectly with any side of your choosing!

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#33. Fisherman's Dinner

After a day navigating rough waters and working with your hands, you need a meal that will not just fill but rejuvenate. The Fisherman's Dinner can satisfy even the most salt-crusted sailor, with the sweet fish readily absorbing the zesty Cajun seasoning and the tangy, bright lemon flavor. Pan-fried to a tender golden brown, Fisherman's Dinner goes perfectly with some classic potato chips or a pile of roasted vegetables. No matter what, you'll be ready to face the sea again in no time, whether it's a literal sea or not!

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#34. Sea Pie

Avast ye landlubbers! There's a delicious dish off the starboard side that belongs on the captain's (that is, your) table! The Sea Pie is like a shepherd's pie but for fishers and sailors: a mashed potato topping atop a creamy sauced fish and tender vegetable filling. Your fork will become a vessel for exploring savory seas of excellent taste once it digs into the Sea Pie, even more so when you discover the melty, sharp cheddar topping. Let your tastebuds surf on waves of joy with this dish!

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#35. Get-It-All Fish

A new year is here and it's time to get started on your personal resolutions. What is it that you want to accomplish? Well, whatever it is, Get-It-All Fish will be there for you, encouraging you and fueling you up to be the best version of yourself! This tender, flavorful fillet gets a nice coat of a sweet and spicy sauce that will really get your senses tingling and your brain going. The best part is it's baked in the oven, so you have almost 25 free minutes to get started on all those goals you have! Get ready to have it all this year thanks to the help of Get-It-All Fish!

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#36. Salmon Pot Pie

Here's an interesting question: what if Shepherd's Pot Pie had been created by fishers instead? The answer would probably resemble Salmon Pot Pie... which makes sense because this is one delicious dish! The crust may not be mashed potatoes but instead a classic buttery, flakey pie crust, within which bubble a creamy sauce loaded with garden veggies and plenty of flaky, succulent salmon. What better way to celebrate the sea than with Salmon Pot Pie? No matter where you are, it tastes like you're enjoying the beach vacation you've always wanted!

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#37. Healthy Fish Casserole

Did you know that not only is eating fish tasty, it's also good for your body and brain?! Most white fish have important nutrients that make you feel your best, like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. You can feel rest assured it's beneficial for your body, and Healthy Fish Casserole gives you a delicious avenue to experience the goodness! The tender, flaky white fish is topped with savory onions and melty cheese, all sprinkled with crunchy breadcrumbs. There's plenty of flavor to go around, so don't you worry about this dish being boring! Get all that your body and tastebuds need thanks to Healthy Fish Casserole!

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#38. Exhilarating Honey Salmon

Look out old, boring, bland salmon, Exhilarating Honey Salmon is here to make life a lot more fun, flavorful, and fantastic! Just look at that enticing photo. The golden-brown, perfectly baked fish dripping in a sweet, buttery, honey glaze... how could something so thrilling to the eyes and tastebuds ever make you yawn? The answer is it can't because you'll be stoked about anything and everything once you munch on Exhilarating Honey Salmon! Here's to all the excitement and delicious adventure there is to come!

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#39. Fresh Dill Tilapia Bake

Everything about Fresh Dill Tilapia Bake is refreshing. The flavor? Light flaky fish brushed with bright lemon juice and topped with a crunchy, herbaceous breadcrumb mixture. Delicious and rejuvenating! The time to make it? Less than 20 minutes, so there's plenty of room for rest and relaxation! The simplicity? Remarkably so! Let Fresh Dill Tilapia Bake get you feeling ready for whatever comes next with a fresh well of energy!

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#40. Ahoy Tacos

Avast landlubbers! Give your greetings to Ahoy Tacos and say away to the Gulf of Mexico! There you'll find a treasure trove of tender white fish, golden grilled corn, fresh vegetables, and bright cilantro and lime flavors! The vessel we be sailing on is the S.S. Soft Taco, a seaworthy beauty, perfect for packing all of those flavors into each bite! Raise the sails and ride the crests of great taste with Ahoy Tacos!

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