Are you trying to eat more seafood? Here’s a roundup of easy, tasty, and healthy Nom Nom Paleo Whole30 Seafood Recipes!
Many Nomsters in my Facebook Group have commented that they’re cooking more seafood at home, but they need more instruction on how to cook fish and shellfish properly. Are you in the same boat? I’ve compiled some of my most useful seafood cooking tips and favorite Whole30 fish and shellfish recipes below!
Seafood Buying Tips
- Buying high quality seafood can be confusing so I always refer to the Seafood Watch Program guide to steer me in the right direction.
- Buy your seafood from a trusted fish market and pick it up on the day you serve it to ensure freshness. I even ask the fishmonger to pack my seafood with ice so it stays cold until I can get it in my fridge. If you don’t have access to fresh seafood locally, a great place online to buy high quality frozen seafood is Vital Choice.
- Stock up on frozen shrimp for weeknight dinner emergencies because you can quickly thaw them in about 5 to 10 minutes. Simply throw the frozen shrimp into a colander and run lukewarm water on them until the shrimp thaw, tossing them every so often. Then, blot the thawed shrimp dry with paper towels and continue with the recipe!
- Stock up on individually quick frozen fish fillets! Throw the fillets in the fridge the night before or in the morning so they’ll thaw by dinnertime. If the fish is vacuum sealed, open the packaging before thawing to prevent potential bacterial overgrowth. Read this article to learn why you should open vacuum packaged fish before thawing.
- Canned fish is a great and inexpensive way to get more seafood into your diet! For many years, I’ve kept a can or pouch of tuna in my backpack or purse so I always have a protein-rich, ready-to-eat snack or light meal at my disposal. You never know when you’ll be stranded with no food options and unlike nuts or dark chocolate—I only crack open the can when I’m truly hangry.
How Do You Know if Seafood is Cooked Properly?
Use a meat thermometer to check if your fish is cooked properly! My reliable and accurate Thermapen Mk4 is the key to perfectly cooked seafood. Although the FDA recommends that fish be cooked to at least 145°F, I like to use these recommended temperatures for seafood.
Can I cook seafood in an air fryer?
The short answer is: yes! An air fryer is simply a countertop convection oven that circulates hot air. If you want convert one of my oven seafood recipes for the air fryer, a good rule of thumb is to decrease the temperature by 25°F and decrease the cooking time by about 20 to 30%. Also, as I’ve recommended above, always use a good meat thermometer to check for doneness!
Here are 8 Whole30 Seafood Recipes
Whole30 Spicy Tuna Cakes
These portable and delicious spicy tuna cakes are sure to win over your family! Make extra, because leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Spicy Tuna Cakes
Whole30 Paleo Shrimp Tacos
If you’re sick of ground beef tacos, here’s a quick and healthy weeknight supper that’s a cinch to throw together!
Paleo Shrimp Tacos
Whole30 Poached Cod in Tomato Sauce
This 5-ingredient recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and will satisfy even your pickiest eater!
Poached Cod in Tomato Sauce
Whole30 California Hand Roll
Missing sushi on a Whole30? This keto-friendly and rice-free California Hand Roll is packed with crab and avocado and it’s so easy, even the kids can help you make homemade sushi!
California Hand Roll (Whole30 Crab and Avocado Temaki)
Whole30 Tandoori Fish
Tandoori fish has quickly become my go-to Whole30-friendly seafood recipe on busy weeknights because these tender and aromatic fillets are insanely easy to throw together, and they pack a big punch of flavor.
Tandoori Fish
Whole30 Crab Cakes
These crab cakes, which I affectionately nicknamed “Paleo Krabby Patties,” are crispy on the outside and packed with tender crab on the inside! Because there’s no breadcrumb filler, the crab shines through. Trust me: no one will miss the gluten!
Paleo Crab Cakes (Whole30, Keto)
Whole30 Tonnato Sauce
Tonnato is a creamy and tangy sauce made with anchovies, capers, and canned tuna that tastes waaaaay better than it sounds. It’s a Whole30- and keto-friendly sauce that tastes delicious drizzled on veggies and roasted meat!
Tonnato Sauce
Whole30 Easy Teriyaki Salmon
Wondering what else to make with my All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce? If you thought sweet-and-savory teriyaki was off the menu because you’ve cut out gluten and refined sugar, think again: this ridiculously easy teriyaki salmon recipe is flavorful, Whole30-friendly, and perfect for weeknights!
Easy Teriyaki Salmon
Want more Whole30 Seafood recipes?
Check out the rest of my Whole30 seafood recipes here!
Other Whole30 Tips
Completing a Whole30 doesn’t have to be hard. That’s why I’ll be posting Whole30-friendly recipes to my Facebook page all month long to keep you inspired! I’ll also be popping in frequently to my personal Nomster’s Facebook group to answer any questions. Don’t forget about my cookbooks that have paleo and Whole30-friendly meals as well as my iOS app!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).
I tried your method for smoked salmon in given receipe. Turned out amazing!!! After an hour and a half spritzed it with a mixture 1/3 cup apple juice and 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. Thanks sooo much for sharing your expertise!!!!