Cooking in The Keys

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Restaurant Style Fish Recipes

felice kaufman author bio
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Our restaurant-style fish recipes are perfect for holidays, dinner parties, date nights, or anytime you want to make fresh fish at home feel a little more special. From blackened mahi mahi and seared tuna to buttery salmon and fresh snapper, these seafood recipes are simple enough for home cooks but impressive enough for guests.

Pan-seared swordfish steaks over mixed green salad topped with chimichurri sauce.

These dishes use high-quality ingredients like fresh fish, shrimp, citrus, butter, herbs, and tropical fruit. The best seafood dinners are often the simplest.

Keep the menu simple so you can relax, enjoy your guests, and create a warm atmosphere everyone will remember.

Special Meals Start With Fresh Ingredients

Great seafood dinners start with fresh ingredients. Fresh fish, simple vegetables, butter sauces, and ripe fruit go a long way on their own.

Keep the recipes simple so you have time to enjoy the evening. Set the table, pour some wine, and slow things down a little. That's what makes a seafood dinner at home feel special.

Tropical Seafood Appetizers

Bring the flavors of the Florida Keys to your table with tropical seafood appetizers made with shrimp, crab, lobster, and fresh local seafood. These recipes are perfect for holidays, dinner parties, cocktail hours, and warm-weather entertaining.

1
key west stone crab claws with mustard sauce
This is our go-to special occasion seafood recipe. Florida Keys stone crab claws served chilled with a simple homemade mustard sauce are a true classic. The cold claws highlight the sweet crab meat, while the creamy mustard sauce adds just the right amount of flavor.
Stone crab claws are expensive, and for good reason. Buy them from a local Florida seafood market whenever possible instead of large grocery chains. Freshness matters with stone crabs, and the quality makes all the difference.
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2
shrimp cocktail with homemade cocktail sauce
Shrimp cocktail is a classic seafood appetizer, and using Key West Pink Shrimp makes it even better. The sweet chilled shrimp paired with tangy homemade cocktail sauce feels simple, fresh, and perfect for holidays or special dinners at home.
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3
Seared ahi tuna with sesame dipping sauce with cucumber and lemon wedges. On a plate with chopsticks, with sake on the table.
The recipe for seared yellowfin tuna with sesame sauce is lightly seared for a crispy crust while remaining rare and bright red in the center. Drizzled with a creamy sesame sauce, this dish is perfect for a special dinner. Pair it with steamed rice or a fresh salad to make it a complete meal.
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4
Smoked fish dip with cream cheese, mayo and crackers.
This rich and creamy smoked fish dip is on every "special occasion" table in the Keys. Made with fresh-caught smoked Wahoo, cream cheese, and just the right amount of seasoning, it's a perfect party appetizer with crackers, sliced veggies, or crostini.
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5
coconut fish fingers with forkful of chili sauce
Make crispy, golden coconut crusted snapper in just 15 minutes! This easy Key West-inspired recipe is made with fresh fish coated in shredded coconut. It's light, crunchy. Serve hot with your favorite sides!
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Old Seven Mile Bridge near Big Pine Key with turquoise water and blue sky in the Florida Keys.
Seven Mile Bride, Marathon, Florida Keys

Fresh Fish Dinner Recipes

Fresh fish dinners are one of the easiest ways to make a meal feel special without spending hours in the kitchen. From blackened mahi mahi and snapper to salmon and swordfish, these recipes are simple seafood dinners served throughout the Florida Keys.

6
Flaky blackened mahi mahi with a fork showing the moist interior of the fish.
Blackened mahi mahi is a quick fish dinner made with mahi mahi fillets, Cajun seasoning, butter, and a hot skillet. The fish develops a flavorful dark crust while staying moist and flaky inside.
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7
Pan seared tilefish with lemon butter, green onions, and orzo pasta on a dinner plate.
Pan seared tilefish is a quick and simple way to cook this delicious white fish at home. Searing in hot oil creates a golden crust, then butter, garlic, and lemon are spooned over the top for rich flavor. Ready in under 10 minutes, this easy fish dinner is one of the best!
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8
Grilled red snapper tacos with cabbage slaw, avocado, cilantro, and creamy sauce on toasted flour tortillas, served with Mexican street corn salad and lime wedges on a white plate.
Fresh grilled red snapper tacos are loaded with flaky fish, crunchy cabbage, creamy taco sauce, and warm tortillas. This easy fish taco recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, backyard dinners, and casual entertaining.
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9
mahi mahi with old bay and lemon
Make tender, flaky baked mahi mahi with this easy recipe. Perfectly seasoned fillets are baked perfectly, creating a light dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This recipe produces excellent results in under 30 minutes with minimal prep and simple ingredients.
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10
Panko crusted tuna steak sliced with rare pink center, served with creamy dipping sauce and lemon wedges.
Crispy fried tuna steak is a quick, restaurant-style dish made with sushi-grade tuna, flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. The outside turns golden while the center stays rare and tender. I used blackfin tuna, but yellowfin or ahi work just as well. It cooks in minutes and fits as an appetizer or a simple main.
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11
Grilled red snapper fillet with charred baby broccoli and grilled lemon on a white plate with blackened seasoning
Fresh red snapper fillets are brushed with olive oil, seasoned with Old Bay or blackened seasoning, and grilled until lightly charred outside and flaky inside. This easy Florida seafood dinner is perfect for summer cookouts and weeknight grilling.
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12
Pan fried red snapper with panko breadcrumbs, lemon wedges, and pink sauce
Crispy pan-fried red snapper with panko breadcrumbs is golden on the outside and tender inside. Fresh snapper fillets are coated in seasoned flour, egg, and panko, then pan-fried until crisp. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or use the fish for tacos and sandwiches.
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13
blackened swordfish with sauteed tomatoes and shallots.
Try this easy blackened swordfish recipe. Thick swordfish steaks are coated in Cajun seasoning and seared in a hot cast iron skillet. In just 15 minutes, you get bold flavor, a smoky crust, and a juicy center.
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14
tripletail fish with lemon butter sauce
Seared tripletail with lemon butter sauce brings the fresh taste of the tropics to your table. This mild white fish is similar to snapper, and any thin fillet will work. Season the fish, dredge it in flour, and sear it in a hot pan. While it cooks, make the lemon butter sauce in another pan. Spoon the sauce over the fish and serve.
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15
fried ritz cracker breaded hogfish with spaghetti and garlic aioli
Hogfish has a special place in our hearts. This sweet, mild, and flaky fish is one of Florida's best! Coat each fillet in buttery cracker crumbs, fry until golden, and serve with lemon or creamy garlic aioli for dipping.
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16
mahi dorado fish with cream sauce and capers
This mahi mahi with cream sauce is a quick, restaurant-style fish dinner made with seared fillets and a lemon caper cream sauce. The fish is finished with butter, white wine, cream, and fresh lemon juice. Ready in about 15 minutes, it works well for busy weeknights or a simple dinner that feels special. Serve it with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
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17
baked grouper with key lime butter sauce and asparagus.
Baked grouper with tangy key lime butter sauce is a great dish for a special dinner. The fish is tender and flaky, and the butter sauce gives it a fresh, citrus flavor.
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18
pan cooked snapper fillets with green beans on the side
Seared snapper is light, fresh, and quick to cook. Season the fillets, sear in a hot skillet until golden and flaky, then finish with a squeeze of lemon. A simple Florida Keys favorite that's always delicious and easy to pull together.
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19
Salmon with coconut aminos and cauliflower and lemon
This easy salmon with coconut aminos features perfectly seared salmon fillets coated in a sweet honey garlic glaze. Ready in under 20 minutes, this high-protein, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly recipe is the perfect healthy weeknight dinner.
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20
mangrove snapper with butter sauce
Snapper with garlic lemon butter is a simple but elegant fish dinner you can make in about 10 minutes. The delicate snapper fillets cook quickly in a hot skillet, then are topped with a buttery lemon garlic sauce that brings out the fresh flavor of the fish.
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21
tripletail fish with lemon butter sauce
Seared tripletail with lemon butter sauce brings the fresh taste of the tropics to your table. This mild white fish is similar to snapper, and any thin fillet will work. Season the fish, dredge it in flour, and sear it in a hot pan. While it cooks, make the lemon butter sauce in another pan. Spoon the sauce over the fish and serve.
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Shellfish Recipes

Shellfish recipes are perfect for holidays, dinner parties, and coastal-style entertaining at home. Shrimp, crab, lobster, and scallops cook quickly and instantly make the table feel a little more special.

Many of these recipes are inspired by Florida Keys restaurants, where fresh shellfish is served with butter sauces, citrus, herbs, and simple sides that let the seafood stand out.

22
sautéed bay scallops served over spaghetti with parsley and lemon wedges on a black plate.
Sautéed bay scallops cook fast and taste clean and sweet. A hot pan, butter, and fresh lemon are all you need for a simple seafood dinner that comes together in minutes.
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23
key west spiny lobster rolls on salad with gingham napkin
This lobster salad is light, refreshing, and full of sweet lobster flavor. Serve it on a toasted roll, over crisp greens, or in lettuce cups for an easy, elegant meal. Perfect for lunch, buffets, beach picnics, or casual dinners.
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24
crab cakes with creamy cocktails sauce
Panko crab cakes With crab claw eat are an impressive, easy-to-make appetizer perfect for all occasions. Use Maryland lump crab, claw meat, or Florida stone crab claws for sweet, tender flavor. Combine ingredients, form patties, and pan-fry until golden brown and crispy.
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25
boiled shrimp with coktail sauce and lemons
Here's how to boil shrimp with Old Bay for a quick and tasty meal. It's simple, fast, and brings out the natural sweetness of the shrimp with just the right amount of seasoning.
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26
Peel and eat key west pink shrimp recipe
Peel and Eat Shrimp is a classic appetizer that's always a hit. Simply boil shrimp, coat them in seafood seasoning, and chill for an hour. Serve with cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges for an easy, crowd-pleasing dish.
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27
boiled shrimp with lemon, potatoes, and corn
Boiled shrimp with potatoes and corn is a quick and easy one-pot meal made with pink shrimp, Old Bay, garlic, and lemon. It's ready in 30 minutes and perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual weekend meal. Serve hot with butter and lemon.
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Desserts

Finish the meal with easy desserts inspired by the Florida Keys and warm-weather entertaining. Chilled pies, tropical fruit desserts, and old-fashioned favorites pair perfectly with fresh seafood dinners without feeling too heavy.

28
Key lime pie with whipped cream.
The perfect ending to a delicious fish or shrimp dinner is Key Lime Pie! Its tangy, creamy filling and buttery graham cracker crust contrast the richness of seafood. Serve it chilled with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly iconic Florida Keys treat.
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29
Sweet and savory mango side dish.
Mango with chili lime salt is a tasty mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. It's a light and easy dessert, perfect after a big meal. Just slice a ripe mango, sprinkle some chili lime salt on top, and enjoy a refreshing tropical treat!
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Sides for Seafood Dinners

Complete your seafood dinner with simple side dishes that pair well with fresh fish, shrimp, lobster, and crab.

From roasted vegetables and rice dishes to tropical sides, these recipes help turn dinner into something special without a lot of extra work.

Little Touches To Make Your Meal Special

A great seafood dinner starts with fresh ingredients. Fresh vegetables, quality seafood, citrus, butter, and ripe fruit make a difference you can taste.

Simple touches can make the evening feel special without much extra effort. Set the table, light candles, and slow things down a little.

Special occasions also call for champagne and caviar. Marky's is one of Miami's best-known gourmet food shops and a popular stop for luxury ingredients before heading down to the Florida Keys.

FAQ

What seafood is best for a special occasion?

Lobster, scallops, shrimp, salmon, and fresh fish like mahi mahi or snapper are all excellent choices for special dinners at home. They feel elegant without requiring complicated cooking techniques.

Can special occasion seafood recipes be made ahead?

Some parts can be prepared ahead of time. Sauces, side dishes, salads, and appetizers can often be made earlier, but most seafood tastes best when cooked just before serving.

What's the easiest seafood to serve for a dinner party?

Shrimp, salmon, scallops, and thick fish fillets are some of the easiest seafood options for entertaining. They cook quickly, pair well with simple sides, and look impressive on the table.

What sides go well with special occasion seafood?

Simple sides work best with seafood dinners. Rice, roasted potatoes, asparagus, salads, tropical fruit salsa, and roasted vegetables pair well without overpowering the seafood.

What drinks pair well with seafood dinners?

White wine, champagne, sparkling water with citrus, and light tropical cocktails all pair well with seafood. Crisp drinks help balance buttery sauces and fresh seafood flavors.

What desserts go best after a seafood dinner?

Light desserts are usually best after seafood dinners. Key lime pie, fruit desserts, chilled pies, and simple tropical desserts finish the meal without feeling too heavy.

More Florida Seafood Recipes