I’ve always thought there’s something magical about cooking seafood on the grill in summer. The smell of the ocean mixed with that smoky charcoal scent just screams vacation to me! Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or just want a quick dinner after a day at the beach, these grilled seafood recipes will make your summer meals extra special.

Why Grilled Seafood is Perfect for Summer

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Seafood might seem fancy, but it’s actually one of the easiest and quickest things to cook on the grill! Here’s why I love grilling seafood in summer:

• Most seafood cooks in under 10 minutes
• It’s lighter than heavy burgers and steaks
• Seafood is packed with healthy protein
• The smoky flavor from the grill adds amazing taste
• Clean-up is super easy!

I started grilling seafood a few years ago when I got my first backyard grill, and now it’s my go-to for summer dinners!

15 Must-Try Grilled Seafood Recipes

1. Simple Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs

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This easy grilled salmon is my family’s most-requested summer dinner! The fresh herbs and lemon make it taste like something from a fancy restaurant.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Heat your grill to medium-high (about 375°F).
2. Brush salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place salmon skin-side down on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes.
4. Flip carefully using a fish spatula and cook another 3-4 minutes.
5. Top with lemon slices and fresh herbs before serving.

2. Spicy Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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These zesty shrimp skewers cook super fast and are perfect for feeding a crowd! I love making these when friends come over.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt to taste
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water

Steps:

1. Mix olive oil, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice in a bowl.
2. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Thread shrimp onto soaked skewers.
4. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
5. Serve with extra lemon wedges.

Having good metal skewers has made grilling these so much easier for me!

3. Grilled Swordfish with Pineapple Salsa

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Swordfish is sturdy and meaty, making it perfect for grilling. The sweet pineapple salsa balances the smoky fish perfectly!

Ingredients:

• 4 swordfish steaks (about 6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced

Steps:

1. For the salsa, mix pineapple, bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. Set aside.
2. Brush swordfish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill on high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Serve with pineapple salsa on top.

4. Foil Packet Grilled Tilapia

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These foil packets are my secret weapon for super easy cleanup! The fish steams in its own little packet and stays so moist.

Ingredients:

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (Italian seasoning works great)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Steps:

1. Tear off four large pieces of foil.
2. Place a tilapia fillet in the center of each piece.
3. Top each with butter, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and lemon slices.
4. Fold the foil to make sealed packets.
5. Grill over medium heat for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily.

I always keep a roll of heavy-duty foil in my kitchen for these packets!

5. Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

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This feels so fancy but is actually super simple to make! It’s my go-to for special summer celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 4 lobster tails
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Cut lobster shells down the center with kitchen shears.
2. Pull meat slightly up and out of shell (but still attached).
3. Mix butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush mixture onto lobster meat.
5. Grill, meat side up, for 5-6 minutes, then flip and grill for 2-3 minutes more.

6. Grilled Seafood Platter

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This impressive crowd-pleaser is perfect for summer parties! You can mix and match whatever seafood looks freshest at the store.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound scallops
• 1 pound firm white fish (like cod or halibut), cut into chunks
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lemons (one juiced, one sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, dill, basil)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Toss seafood in the marinade and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Grill fish on a fish grilling basket for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Grill shrimp and scallops for 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Arrange all seafood on a large platter with lemon slices and herbs.

7. Grilled Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos

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These fresh and colorful tacos are a fun twist on taco night! My kids love helping to assemble their own tacos.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mahi-mahi fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges for serving

Steps:

1. Mix olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and chili powder.
2. Brush mixture onto fish.
3. Grill fish for 3-4 minutes per side until it flakes easily.
4. Warm tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side.
5. Break fish into chunks and assemble tacos with cabbage, tomatoes, and cilantro.

8. Grilled Scallops with Herb Butter

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Scallops are my favorite seafood to grill because they cook so quickly and taste amazing with just simple seasoning.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (chives, parsley, thyme), finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

1. Mix butter with herbs, garlic, and lemon zest. Set aside.
2. Pat scallops dry with paper towels (super important!).
3. Brush scallops with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Grill scallops for 2-3 minutes per side until just opaque.
5. Top hot scallops with herb butter to melt.

A good grill brush is essential for keeping your grill clean for delicate seafood like scallops!

9. Grilled Salmon Burgers

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These healthy salmon burgers are a fun twist on regular burgers and perfect for summer cookouts!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh salmon, skin removed and finely chopped
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 4 hamburger buns
• Lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce for serving

Steps:

1. Mix chopped salmon, breadcrumbs, mayo, egg, green onions, dill, and mustard.
2. Form into 4 patties and chill for 15 minutes.
3. Oil grill grates well to prevent sticking.
4. Grill patties for 4 minutes per side.
5. Toast buns on the grill and serve burgers with toppings.

10. Grilled Tuna Steaks with Sesame Crust

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Tuna steaks are quick to cook and taste amazing with a simple sesame crust! I like mine a little pink in the center.

Ingredients:

• 4 tuna steaks (about 6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• 1 green onion, sliced (for garnish)

Steps:

1. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger in a shallow dish.
2. Marinate tuna for 5 minutes per side.
3. Press sesame seeds onto both sides of tuna.
4. Grill over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
5. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

11. Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon

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Cooking salmon on a cedar plank gives it the most incredible smoky flavor. It’s become our Sunday tradition all summer long!

Ingredients:

• 1 cedar plank, soaked in water for 1 hour
• 1 (2 pound) salmon fillet
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon, sliced

Steps:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat (around 350°F).
2. Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place salmon on soaked cedar plank and sprinkle with spice mixture.
4. Top with lemon slices.
5. Grill with lid closed for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily.

I always keep a pack of cedar planks ready for grilling season!

12. Grilled Calamari with Lemon and Herbs

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This tender calamari with a bit of char is a surprising crowd-pleaser! Much easier than deep-frying and so much tastier.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cleaned calamari tubes and tentacles
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Cut calamari tubes into rings and leave tentacles whole.
2. Mix with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat grill to high and oil the grates well.
4. Grill calamari for 1-2 minutes per side until just opaque.
5. Toss with lemon juice and parsley before serving.

13. Mediterranean Grilled Whole Fish

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Cooking a whole fish on the grill is so impressive but actually super simple! This has become my favorite way to use fresh fish from the market.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole fish (like branzino, red snapper, or sea bass), scaled and gutted
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Score the sides of the fish with three diagonal cuts.
2. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
3. Stuff with lemon slices, garlic, and herbs.
4. Brush outside with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side.

A fish grilling basket makes flipping whole fish so much easier!

14. Grilled Crab Legs with Garlic Butter

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These giant crab legs on the grill are always a showstopper at summer parties! They’re pre-cooked, so you’re just warming them up with yummy butter.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds king crab legs, thawed if frozen
• ½ cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges for serving

Steps:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Split crab legs lengthwise with scissors to expose meat.
3. Mix melted butter with garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
4. Brush crab meat with butter mixture.
5. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until heated through.

Don’t forget to keep some seafood crackers handy for your guests!

15. Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Foil Packets

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These colorful foil packets are my go-to for easy weeknight dinners. Everything cooks together, and cleanup is a breeze!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Mix shrimp and vegetables in a large bowl.
2. Add olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Toss well.
3. Divide mixture onto four large pieces of foil.
4. Fold and seal to create packets.
5. Grill over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until shrimp is pink.

Planning and Preparation Tips

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Getting ready for a seafood grill fest doesn’t have to be stressful! Here are my favorite tips to make things easier:

• Shop the day of cooking if possible – fresh seafood tastes best when it’s really fresh!
• Prep all your sides and sauces before starting the grill
• Keep a spray bottle with water near the grill to tame flare-ups
• Use a grill thermometer to make sure your grill is at the right temperature
• Have all your tools ready before starting

Planning your meals ahead of time can save so much stress! I created a Free Recipes Planner that helps me stay organized all summer long.

Smart Shopping Tips for Seafood

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Buying seafood can feel tricky, but these tips have helped me get the best quality for my money:

• Look for clear eyes and shiny skin on whole fish
• Fresh seafood shouldn’t smell “fishy” – it should smell like the ocean
• Frozen seafood is often fresher than “fresh” seafood at inland stores
• Ask your fishmonger which seafood came in that day
• Buy extra and freeze what you don’t use right away in an airtight container

I always check with the Seafood Watch app to make sure I’m buying sustainable choices!

Must-Have Tools for Grilling Seafood

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After years of grilling seafood, these are the tools I can’t live without:

• Fish spatula – The thin edge makes flipping delicate fish so much easier! I love my OXO Fish Turner.
• Grill basket – Perfect for small pieces of seafood that might fall through the grates. This Weber basket has been with me for years.
• Instant-read thermometer – Takes the guesswork out of knowing when fish is done. The ThermoPro is my favorite.
• Grill brush – Keeping your grill clean is super important for seafood. I use this bristle-free brush for safety.
• Cedar planks – Adds amazing flavor to salmon and other fish. I buy these reusable planks in bulk.

More Delicious Seafood Ideas

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If you enjoyed these grilled seafood recipes, you might also love my Summer Fish Tacos, Shrimp Boil Foil Packets, and Easy Seafood Paella. All of these recipes use similar ingredients but create totally different meals!

What’s your favorite seafood to grill? I’d love to hear about your summer cooking adventures in the comments below!

Don’t forget to save these recipes for later! Pin this post to your Summer Recipes or Grilling board on Pinterest so you can find it when you’re ready to fire up the grill!

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Happy cooking and see you next time!