Yellowtail Recipes for Light and Healthy Weeknight Dinners

Tired of your usual meals consisting of chicken or beef?

Maybe it’s time you try these delicious and fresh yellowtail recipes!

I never knew how versatile the yellowtail is until I realized the name applies to many types of fish.

What exactly does that mean?

It simply gives us different kinds of yellowtail to choose from for a variety of yellowtail dishes.

Pan fried yellowtail recipes, yellowtail tuna recipes, California yellowtail recipes, you name it!

There’s so much freedom to work with when using yellowtail as your main ingredient.

Just like with any other meat, you can cook it in many different ways.

Feast your eyes (and taste buds) on these delicious fish dishes for a happy and healthy tummy!

1. Lemon Peppered Yellowtail with Sauteed Spinach

Lemony and peppery with a touch of healthy sauteed spinach—if that’s not a perfect combination for a yellowtail recipe, I don’t know what is.

What’s more is that it’s quick and easy to do:

You’ll just need two grilled yellowtails for this recipe, then pair them with the perfect side dish, sauteed spinach.

Remember to season the yellowtail filets generously before grilling.

You’re free to get creative with the flavors and spices you wish to add.

I usually just go for some lemon pepper mix and a dash of chili flakes for an added kick.

2. Pan-Seared Yellowtail

When in doubt, just pan-sear the yellowtail.

This recipe is fool-proof and won’t take you any longer than five minutes.

Use your preferred seasoning to add flavor to the fish.

I prefer using kosher salt since its flaky texture works well with the yellowtail.

Let the pan do the work as you add in your choice of aromatics.

Simple and delicious—end of the story.

3. Braised Yellowtail

Have you ever thought of braising fish?

If not, this braised yellowtail recipe might just be what you need to try it out.

Oh, and trust me, it works.

It’s actually one of the simplest ways to prepare a fish.

If you’ve got some frozen yellowtail filets in your fridge, that’d be perfect.

Salt and pepper should be enough, but you can use other spices, too.

Go with whichever spices you like to satisfy your taste buds.

Let the fish soak in all those spices for an aromatic flavor.

You’ll know it’s done when the yellowtail has a nice bounce and firm texture.

4. Oven-Baked Whole Yellowtail Snapper

Baked yellowtail snapper recipes are one of the best dishes to prepare for your family.

But here’s the catch (no pun intended):

You get to use the whole yellowtail when cooking. That’s right.

No cutting it up into parts like filets and such.

However, you need to cut three slits into the fish if that counts for something.

You’ll use these slits later as pockets for lemon slices.

Let that bake in the oven with your chosen seasoning mix.

Soon enough, your mouth will start to water as the oven bursts with fragrant aromas.

5. Yellowtail Teriyaki

There are two main reasons why I had to add this yellowtail recipe to the list.

One, I love Japanese food, and two, it tastes so delicious!

Japanese chefs have a unique way of preparing food, whether fresh or cooked.

Don’t get intimidated, though! This dish is quite easy to make and won’t take you longer than 20 minutes.

If you’ve never tried making your own teriyaki sauce, now’s your chance.

You’ll feel like a pro chef when you’re done. I know I did.

Pan-sear the yellowtail for a few minutes and let it bathe in that glistening teriyaki sauce.

6. Crispy Fried Yellowtail

Another way of cooking a yellowtail is by simply frying it.

It won’t take too much time and effort, but it can still come out as delicious as you want it to be.

A good mix of seasoning is the way to go.

I’d suggest marinating the fish before frying it for a better flavor.

Garnish with some lime wedges, fresh herbs, and bell peppers before serving, then eat it while it’s hot!

7. Oven-Roasted Yellowtail Snapper

Normally, when you hear the word “roasted,” you think of chicken or beef.

Well, to my surprise, it’s also a good idea to roast fish.

Now, what makes this all work as a healthy and delicious recipe? It’s the fact that we’re using fish and roasting is the cooking method.

Want to know the best part:

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week to prevent many heart diseases.

I’m not one to pass up on a healthy heart and a happy tummy.

This yellowtail snapper recipe’s burst of flavors from the roasted cherry tomatoes and olives will surely leave you asking for seconds!

8. Yellowtail Tacos with Cilantro Coleslaw

Let’s take a step further into our creative sides and try this fresh take on cooking yellowtail.

I mean, how often do we hear yellowtail tacos in a normal conversation?

It’s nice to spice things up a little in cooking, and with this recipe, you can do just that.

You have to exercise a bit of patience with the marinating, but trust me, it’s worth it.

After an hour of soaking those fresh citrusy flavors, let the fish loose on the grill.

Serve it with your preferred tortillas, cilantro, and other veggies.

You now have a new way to spend Taco Tuesdays.

9. Caribbean Grilled Snapper with Garlic Aioli

The first thing that pops into my head when I hear “the Caribbean” is delicious seafood.

Well, other than pirates, of course!

And in my experience: A Caribbean-inspired marinade is to die for.

The combination of garlic, lime, and habanero pepper is a true work of genius.

Now, if you pair that with a freshly grilled yellowtail snapper, you’ve got yourself the perfect Caribbean experience.

This yellowtail snapper filet recipe is a must-try!

A word of advice: Try not to drool too much when grilling.

10. Glazed Yellowtail

A glazed yellowtail recipe may sound like a lot of work, but it’s actually quite simple.

What’s more? You have a lot of freedom to work with in this dish.

You can use your own style of glaze, but I prefer mine to be sweet and spicy for that contrast.

A good mix of honey, lemon juice, soy, and gochujang should do the trick!

Serve it with some fried rice or salad, and you’re good to go!

11. Grilled Yellowtail Collar (Hamachi Kama)

One Japanese-inspired yellowtail recipe isn’t enough, so here’s another.

Grilled yellowtail collar is a quick recipe that tastes phenomenal and is healthy at the same time. And I’m not kidding about how easy it is to prepare this dish.

You’ll just need five ingredients:

Yellowtail collar, kosher salt, soy sauce, yuzu juice, and lemon.

You can use alternatives, but I recommend sticking to Japanese ingredients for the best results.

12. Whole Yellowtail Snapper and Mango Relish

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s good for sharing, this whole yellowtail snapper recipe is for you.

Want to make your date night fancier?

Try adding some mango relish on a whole yellowtail snapper.

This dish will surely surprise your partner and make them hungry for more.

You can choose which veggies you’d want to add to the relish.

I usually go for some jalapeños for added color and heat.

Serve it with a steaming pile of rice for a mouth-watering combo.

13. Grilled Yellowtail with Herb Butter

Herb butter goes so well with many foods, and this grilled yellowtail recipe is no exception.

Mix a generous amount of butter with some lemon juice, salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs.

I recommend using parsley, chives, and basil, or you could always use all of them.

Once you have your herb butter ready, spread it on your butterflied fish.

Watching that butter melt as you grill your fish is a heavenly sight!

14. Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Potatoes, Olives, and Tomatoes

Who’s up for some hearty seafood supper?

For this yellowtail dish, your oven will be your best friend.

Pair the fish with some potatoes, olives, and tomatoes for a good roasting.

The best way to go about the vegetables is to mix them in a bowl with your chosen blend of seasoning.

Other than salt and pepper, I usually go for some cayenne pepper as well.

This dish will surely give your kids more reasons to eat their veggies.

15. Yellowtail Flounder with Lemon Butter Sauce

Has anyone figured out why lemon and butter work so well with many fish recipes?

To give a perfect example, I present to you the yellowtail flounder with lemon butter sauce.

Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? I can attest to that.

Get your lemon and butter mixture ready in a bowl, then add some seasoning to taste.

You can use a basting brush to apply the mixture to your fish.

Now:

Let all that lemon butter infuse itself with the fish as you pan-fry it.

I can already hear my stomach growling.