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Low Carb Fish Recipes

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Low-carb fish recipes are perfect when you want a healthy meal that tastes great. Fish is naturally low in carbs, high in protein, and cooks fast. The recipes below are simple, fresh, and great for lunch or dinner. They're all gluten-free.

pan seared yellowtail snapper with lemon butter sauce

I use wild-caught fish like snapper, tuna, mahi mahi, and salmon, all clean options that fit into any low-carb plan.

Whether you're cutting carbs, avoiding sugar, or just eating cleaner, these fish recipes will help you feel your best.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out. I focus on low-carb meals made with real, unprocessed ingredients.

1
breakfast fish omelette
Fish Omelette Recipe
This fish omelette is a quick meal made with cooked fish, fresh herbs, and creamy avocado. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch and a great way to use leftover fish and pack in protein. This recipe is low-carb and gluten-free.
Recipe
2
Seared tuna with sesame sauce on a plate.
Seared Yellowfin Tuna with Sesame Dipping Sauce
Seared yellowfin (Ahi) tuna with sesame sauce is a quick and elegant dish packed with savory flavor. The tuna is lightly seared and served with a rich, nutty sesame sauce on the side. It’s fresh, simple, and ready in minutes.
Recipe
3
pan seared yellowtail fillet with butter lemon sauce
Pan Seared White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce
Seared white fish with lemon butter sauce is perfect for busy nights. With a golden exterior and flaky texture, the fish cooks in just 10 minutes. Season with your favorite spices and finish with a simple sauce. Serve with veggies or a side salad for a fast, tasty meal!
Recipe

Top Tips For Cooking Low Carb Fish

  • Skip the breading. Just season the fish and sear it hot.
  • Use real fats. Kerrygold grass-fed butter , ghee, or a splash of olive oil works great.
  • Fish cooks fast. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out.
  • Use a healthy salt like Maldon Sea Salt Flakes or Oryx Dessert Salt to add minerals to your meals.
  • Fish is done when it flakes. Once it’s opaque and flakes with a fork, it’s ready so be careful not to overcook it.
  • Add lemon or lime at the end. It brightens up the flavor.
  • Cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli, or a fresh green salad are all you need for sides.
4
blackened swordfish with sauteed tomatoes and shallots.
Blackened Swordfish Recipe
Try this easy blackened swordfish recipe. In just 15 minutes, thick swordfish steaks are seared in a hot cast-iron skillet with spicy Cajun seasoning. The inside stays juicy and tender, while the outside is deliciously seasoned.
Recipe
5
Yellowtail snapper with cauliflower.
Air Fryer Snapper with Old Bay and Veggies
Air fryer snapper with veggies is a healthy meal that’s ready in no time. For best results, use thin white fish fillets like snapper or hogfish. Serve with fresh vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli for a balanced, nutrient-packed dinner.
Recipe
6
Roasted yellowtail snapper with rice on white plate.
Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Old Bay Seasoning
Make roasted yellowtail snapper with Old Bay seasoning for a simple and tasty dinner. This easy recipe brings out the snapper’s fresh flavor with a classic spice blend and a quick roast in the oven.
Recipe
7
Seared tuna with sesame seeds.
Pan Seared and Blackened Yellowfin Tuna
Blackened seared tuna is made by coating fresh tuna steaks in a bold Cajun spice blend with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and black pepper. The tuna is seared in a hot pan for about 30 seconds per side, creating a crust while leaving the inside tender and rare. It’s a quick, high-protein dish packed with bold flavor.
Recipe
8
Broiled yellowtail snapper with lemon on white plate.
Broiled Yellowtail Snapper Recipe
Broiled yellowtail snapper is a quick, easy, and full of flavor. Brush the fillets with a little oil to keep them moist, then season with salt, pepper, blackening spices, or your favorite blend. Pop them under the broiler for about 10 minutes, until the fish is golden and flaky.
Recipe
9
mango tuna poke bowl with spicy may topping
Yellowfin Tuna Poke Bowl
This Yellowfin Tuna Poke Bowl has a perfect mix of sweet and savory flavors. It's easy to make, packed with healthy ingredients, and full of delicious umami flavor. For a low carb meal, serve it over cauliflower rice instead of white rice. It's a light, refreshing dish that's perfect for warm, sunny days.
Recipe
10
blackened tripletail for dinner
Blackened Tripletail Recipe
Tripletail is a mild, flaky white fish. Coated in a mix of Cajun spices including paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne, then seared in a hot skillet, the outside gets a dark, spicy crust while the inside stays tender and juicy. It’s perfect with a squeeze of lemon and a simple side like cauliflower rice.
Recipe
11
Salmon with coconut aminos and cauliflower and lemon
Salmon With Coconut Aminos
Salmon with Coconut Aminos is a quick, high-protein dinner made with clean, simple ingredients. The fish is seared in butter and finished with a sweet glaze made from coconut aminos, garlic, lemon, and honey. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a healthy weeknight meal.
Recipe
12
fish with broccoli and sour cream dressing
Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables
Try this quick sheet pan fish and vegetables, topped with a tangy sour cream dill sauce. It’s easy, fresh, and perfect for busy weeknights. Healthy, full of flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes! Low carb, low calorie, and gluten free.
Recipe
13
roasted swordfish with baked potato
Oven Roasted Swordfish Recipe
Oven roasted swordfish is an easy recipe for one of our favorite Key West fish. With just a few ingredients and about 15 minutes, you’ll have a delicious fish dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or even a simple meal with friends.
Recipe
14
mahi dorado fish with cream sauce and capers
Mahi Mahi With Cream Sauce Recipe
This mahi mahi with cream sauce recipe combines sweet flaky fish with a rich lemon caper sauce. Seared mahi mahi fillets are finished with butter, white wine, cream, and fresh lemon juice. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Pair with pasta, rice, or vegetables for an amazing meal.
Recipe
15
Fish with wine, lemon, and capers
Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce
Enjoy Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce, also known as Fish Piccata. Pan-seared white fish fillets are finished in a rich, buttery sauce. It’s easy to make at home and has bold, bright flavor in every bite.
Recipe
16
red snapper stuffed with Mediterranean seasonings
Roasted Whole Red Snapper
Learn how to roast a whole red snapper with this easy sheet pan recipe. The fish is stuffed with lemon, herbs, and Old Bay, then baked with potatoes and onions for a complete, flavorful meal. Tender, juicy, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Recipe
17
mahi mahi with old bay and lemon
Oven Roasted Mahi Mahi with Old Bay
Make dinner quick and delicious with roasted mahi mahi and Old Bay seasoning. The seasoning adds a burst of Chesapeake Bay flavor to this flaky fish, ready in just 20 minutes.
Recipe
18
baked red snapper fish collar with lemon
Roasted Red Snapper Collars
Red red snapper collars are one of the best parts of the fish! This tasty cut, found just behind the gills, is packed with tender, flaky meat and tons of flavor. Roasting makes the skin crispy while keeping the meat juicy and delicious. If you love eating fish right off the bone, you've got to try this recipe!
Recipe
19
baked grouper with key lime butter sauce and asparagus.
Baked Grouper with Key Lime Butter Sauce
Baked grouper drizzled with a tangy Key Lime Butter Sauce is perfect for a quick and healthy dinner! This simple recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and is both grain-free and low-carb.
Recipe

Low Carb Sides For Fish Dinners

Need something to serve on the side? Try one of these low carb favorites: Cauliflower Rice, Steamed Asparagus, or Steamed Broccoli and Carrots.

The following sides are simple, filling, and pair perfectly with fish.

For more vegetable ideas, check out our Low Carb Vegetable Recipes.

More To Explore

If you're following a low-carb diet, you might want to try Dr. Ray Peat’s Famous Carrot Salad. I’ve been reading a lot of his work lately, and it’s fascinating.

He passed away a few years ago, but his website still has all the old newsletters he used to mail out to his subscribers.

While his overall approach isn’t low carb, many of his ideas focus on how sugar and certain toxic fats affect the metabolism.

Take a look at my top High-Protein Fish Recipes and another for Gluten-Free Fish Recipes.

You can also browse all of our seafood recipes for even more ideas. We have Florida spiny lobster, shrimp with coconut aminos and a great recipe for coconut oil shrimp.

Just be sure to avoid farmed shellfish. Look for domestic shrimp labeled Wild Caught. They’re not only more nutritious, they taste a whole lot better, too.

I hope these tips and recipes help you eat better and feel better.

If you try one of these recipes, share a photo on Instagram or Facebook and tag it #cookinginthekeys — I’d love to see it!

FAQ

Is all fish low in carbohydrates?

Yup! Plain fish has zero carbohydrates. The carbs only come in when you add flour, breading, sweet sauces with sugar, or serve it with high-carb sides.

Can I use frozen fish?

Yes. Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the pan

How do I keep fish from drying out?

Cook it quickly over medium-high heat and don’t walk away. Most fish is done in under 10 minutes. Once it flakes with a fork, it’s ready.

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