For many people who observe Lent, meatless Fridays are a traditional part of the 40 days. Fish, however, are considered ‘okay’ to have for dinner on Fridays (during Lent) since they are cold-blooded. Growing up, I made it to my fair amount of fish fries held at local churches.
You don’t need to be religious to skip eating meat some days. Producing kinds of red meat can use over 2,000 gallons of water for one pound of beef. There are lots of options to replace your burger, but for those out there who want to give fish a try, here are some Lent-friendly meals you can enjoy.
Brown Sugar Salmon
When fish is on the menu for dinner, often times it’s salmon. While it’s available at many restaurants, it’s also not tricky to make at home. Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for keeping your heart healthy.
Japanese-Inspired Simmered Red Snapper in Soy Sauce
This dish switches things up a little with Japanese style cooking. Preparing the fish this way will make it flaky, and the soy sauce that is added will mask the fish flavor that can drive some people away.
Spicy Tuna Crunch Poke Bowl
Poke bowls have recently gained popularity all over the country, spreading from Hawaii, where they’ve been eaten for decades. This specific recipe has only 6 ingredients and is great for anyone who is a fan of spicy tuna sushi rolls.
Fish Tacos With Cabbage Slaw
It doesn’t have to be a Tuesday for you to enjoy some delicious tacos. In this recipe, the fish is pan-fried and topped with coleslaw. You won’t miss eating meat when you take a bite out of one of these bad guys.
Black Miso Cod
This dish is a look-for-less copycat of the black miso cod served at Nobu. Making it at home will save you from dropping $36, while still allowing you to eat this Japanese style fish.
Tuna and Zucchini Rice Bowl
Tuna is often only thought of as a school lunch add-on and not an ingredient that allows you to make a tasty dinner. With lots of spices added to the mix, you get a flavorful combo of zucchini and tuna in a rice bowl.
Grapefruit Salsa Fish Tacos
This recipe also has an additional shrimp salad recipe built-in to it, which is also Lent-friendly. These fish tacos differ from the other in that they are made with grapefruit salsa for a sweet twist on the dish.
These fish recipes will help you navigate your red meatless Fridays. They are all different enough that there’s something for everyone, even those who aren’t big fish fans (looking at you red snapper). Cruise by your local fish market and get cooking.