14 Unbelievably Delicious Kid-Friendly Fish Recipes

I grew up in a predominantly Christian community and during the observance of Lent, I remember red meat being discouraged on Fridays in the lunchroom and fish being served instead. I happily ate a fish sandwich or fish sticks in place of the typical hamburger, but there’s no reason for such limited options when it comes to serving kid-friendly fish dishes at home.

If you are observing Lent this year, you know that starting on March 2, the next seven Fridays require a meal makeover. Let’s take this as an opportunity to eat a variety of fish and cook a wide range of quick, easy, and family-friendly dinners. That sounds like a good goal, no matter if you are observing Lent or not.

If seafood or fish isn’t a part of your typical grocery shopping list, we have a few tips to help you plan the most delicious dinners. 

• Plan to buy about 5 ounces of fish per person. 
• Cook the fish within a day or two to maintain optimal freshness. 
• When purchasing a whole fish, look for bright red gills and eyes that aren’t sunken. Another tell-tale sign your fish is fresh? It will have a very mild fish smell.
• When buying fillets, look for similar sized pre-cut fillets to ensure even cooking. The fillets should be firm, shiny, and not dried out or darker around the edges.
• Another purchasing option is frozen fillets. Look for wild caught if available, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using. 
• Not all recipes require fresh fish, though! Smoked salmon and oil-packed tuna are readily available and require zero prep work. 

Now, that you’re all prepped, let’s dive into some mouthwatering recipes that your entire family will enjoy!