This seafood guide provides information about different types of fish, how to prepare them, and how to cook them. Find new ideas and delicious recipes to try!
All About Seafood
Whether you like it grilled, fried, baked, or raw, one thing is for sure: fish is delicious. High in protein and healthy fats, fish is something you should consider adding to your diet if you don’t already enjoy it and it aligns with your dietary preferences. Though there are countless species of fish out there, this guide provides a look at a few of the most common freshwater fish, saltwater fish, mollusks, and crustaceans and delicious ideas to enjoy them.
Read on to learn more about seafood!
Saltwater Versus Freshwater Fish
Fish that live in the ocean are considered saltwater fish. They are, of course, fish that thrive in the salty water of our oceans and seas, although don’t let their name fool you. Just because they live in saltwater doesn’t necessarily mean that they themselves are salty. In comparison to freshwater fish, they tend to have a more pronounced taste as opposed to the more mild flavor of those that live in freshwater. Popular saltwater fish include tuna, grouper, snapper, cod, halibut, mahi-mahi, and salmon (although salmon is born in fresh water and migrates to saltwater).
Freshwater fish are born and thrive in rivers, lakes, and streams. As previously stated, they tend to be milder in flavor and feature much smaller bones compared to saltwater fish. Popular freshwater fish include crappie, trout, catfish, walleye, perch, and striped bass.
Mollusks
The mollusk family features a number of edible bivalves such as mussels, clams, oysters, octopus, scallops, and squid. They can be found in both fresh and saltwater, and are packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals.
Mollusks with shells have tender flesh that offers a small bite and taste of the sea. Though they have a prominent taste, they also take on the flavors in which they’re cooked nicely. Those that don’t include shells tend to be sweet and also take on other flavors beautifully. Depending on the variety, the texture can vary from chewy (squid or octopus) to butter-soft (scallops).
Crustaceans
Crustaceans are a group of invertebrate anthropods which are actually more closely related to insects than they are to fish. How fascinating, right? This group includes shrimp, crab, lobster, crawfish, and prawns. Varying species can be found in either saltwater or freshwater.
Known for their decadence, crustaceans are highlighted in a number of well-loved and recognized dishes like Lobster Rolls, Shrimp Cocktail, or the “special occasion” meal in my household: Steamed Crab Legs with melted garlic butter.
How To Select Seafood
Maybe you’ve had a bad experience with fish. Whether it was fish you purchased yourself or ate at a restaurant, it can be enough to turn anyone off to seafood. The key, of course, is selecting the freshest fish possible, or else visiting establishments that you trust to deliver on the best quality as they turn out dishes from their kitchen.
Below are a few guidelines I always use when shopping for fish, mollusks, or crustaceans. I find it best to first and foremost find a fishmonger I know and trust, which will look different depending on where you live.
- The fish should smell like the sea. As counterintuitive as it may seem, your fish shouldn’t smell fishy. It should be a clean fish scent, which is briny and reminiscent of the salty spray you get from a big wave.
- The flesh should be firm. If it appears mushy, that isn’t a good sign.
- The eyes should be bright and black (when purchasing whole fish). Keep an eye out for eyes that are sunken in or cloudy which indicates spoilage.
- Give it the spot check. Avoid any slime, spotting, or discoloration.
How To Store Seafood
The critical key to storing your fish is keeping it at the proper temperature to avoid spoilage. If you purchase fresh fish, I highly recommend eating it as soon as you can. If you don’t plan to prepare it for more than 2 days, I would recommend freezing it to be sure your fish stays fresh and safe to consume. Fish can be stored in the paper packaging it came in from your fishmonger (or the plastic trays from the supermarket). Keep it in the coolest spot in your refrigerator, and be sure to mind cross-contamination, which occurs when raw food comes into contact with ready-to-eat foods. Essentially, store your fish on the lowest shelf you can and don’t place it over fresh fruits or vegetables.
If you’re purchasing frozen fish, you’ll typically find a Best By date on the package which you should abide by. When ready to prepare, thaw the fish in the refrigerator overnight or by placing it in a sealable plastic bag and soaking it in a bowl of cool water for no more than 30 minutes.
How to Prepare Seafood
There are a number of preparations that are delicious for different types of seafood, depending on what you like and what type of seafood you’re working with. Various seasonings and aromatics can be used. Check out my articles for the Basics of Spices, Herbs, Alliums, and Citrus for more detail on how to select flavors that you love.
Keep an eye out for more delicious seafood recipes coming this month, and be sure to check out my Shrimp Boil, Sweet and Smoky Grilled Salmon, or Perfectly Seared Scallops until then!
Ways to Cook Seafood
Just as there are a number of ways to prepare and season your seafood, the versatility in cooking methods is vast as well.
Grilling imparts lovely smokiness and char, making it a delicious way to enjoy seafood during the warmer months. Virtually any seafood will grill nicely, with some requiring special equipment such as skewers, a grilling basket, or a cast iron pan to collect juices and keep things contained.
Although grilling is possible during the chillier months as well, baking, sauteéing, and roasting tend to be more desirable and simple options for when the weather is too cool to fire up the grill (or if you don’t have access to one). This is also a great way to enjoy seafood on busy weeknights: bake fish with some vegetables on a sheet pan and you could have dinner ready in 30 minutes!
Time For Seafood!
Summertime is the quintessential season to try all sorts of seafood recipes. Whether you’re making a feast to be strewn out over a paper-lined picnic table, grilling a thick cut of flaky fish for tacos, or roasting a piece of salmon for a quick weeknight meal, there are so many different ways to enjoy seafood.
As I mentioned, I’ll be sharing a number of new seafood recipes this month, so be sure to check back or follow along in my So Happy In The Kitchen series!
Find this Seafood Guide helpful? Check out my “So Happy In The Kitchen” page, where I share helpful roundups of products, ingredient and cooking method education, and recipe tips and tricks!
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