15 Grilled Seafood Recipes You Fire Up for Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is one of my favorite excuses to keep the grill going a little longer. By then, we’ve had our share of burgers and hot dogs, and I’m usually ready for something lighter but still worthy of a long summer meal outside.

Grilled seafood does exactly that. It cooks quickly, takes beautifully to smoky heat, and feels special without asking much from the cook. These 15 recipes are made for that last big weekend of summer, when the grill is still warm and nobody is ready to go inside.

Grilled Scallops With Lemon, Mint, And Pinot Grigio Sauce

You do not need to sweat over hot coals all afternoon to pull off an elegant patio dinner that tastes like a luxury beach vacation. A splash of chilled white wine, lime, and torn fresh mint keeps these fast-searing scallops crisp, light, and wonderfully refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops With Lemon, Mint, And Pinot Grigio Sauce

Grilled Scallop Skewers

If you ever had nightmares about delicate sea scallops slipping right between the hot grill grates, wooden skewers are your best backyard insurance policy. A warm brush of citrus garlic butter right off the fire turns a simple ten-minute cook into a breezy seaside feast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallop Skewers

Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Putting a scoop of warm, smoky barbecue shrimp over hearty grains and summer greens is the easiest way to serve a lunch that will not weigh anyone down. A drizzle of homemade citrus herb vinaigrette ties the charred seafood and crisp vegetables together in one effortless bowl.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Cedar-Plank Grilled Rockfish Tacos

These wood-smoked fish tacos completely remove the fear of delicate white rockfish sticking to your barbecue bars when you want to feed a backyard crowd. Resting the seasoned fillets on a damp cedar board infuses a rich forest aroma while you set out bowls of crunchy lime slaw.
Get the Recipe: Cedar-Plank Grilled Rockfish Tacos

Grilled Salmon in Foil

Wrapping fresh salmon in heavy-duty aluminum foil guarantees you will never have to scrape torn fish skin off your grill bars during a chaotic holiday cookout. The sealed packet gently steams the fish in buttery seasoning, trapping every bit of savory moisture until you unfold it at the picnic table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon in Foil

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Plump jumbo shrimp tossed in lemon, garlic, and dried oregano are my trusty rescue meal when hungry barbecue guests show up earlier than planned. Skewering them means you can flip dozens of juicy shellfish in under five minutes without losing a single piece to the coals.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Laying an entire seasoned side of fish right over crackling outdoor wood fire is the easiest way to look like a campfire pro with almost zero kitchen cleanup. The intense heat crisps the outer skin while keeping the center flaky and juicy, leaving you free to enjoy the long holiday evening.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon

Scented cedar smoke and a pinch of warm holiday spice turn plain salmon fillets into the most talked-about platter at your long-weekend cookout. A dusting of brown sugar and aromatic spices caramelizes gently under the closed grill lid without risking direct flare-ups.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon

Grilled King Salmon

High-grade King salmon has such rich, natural flavor that you really only need high heat, simple seasoning, and a hint of wood smoke to create a feast. A quick sizzle over medium-high flames melts the delicate fats, delivering thick, flaky steaks that taste like a coastal getaway.
Get the Recipe: Grilled King Salmon

Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

This juicy sweet-and-spicy skewer setup is my favorite excuse to throw late-summer market fruit straight over charcoal before patio season ends. Threading ripe peach wedges alongside thick salmon cubes keeps the fish tender while a dollop of jalapeno crema wakes up every bite.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

Whole Grilled Mackerel

Tucking a whole fresh mackerel into a secure foil envelope with garlic and woody rosemary is my favorite low-stress secret for outdoor entertaining. The closed foil locks every drop of rich herb juices inside over the flames while everyone kicks back on the porch with cold drinks.
Get the Recipe: Whole Grilled Mackerel

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

These sticky, sweet-and-savory salmon fillets give you all that craveable barbecue glaze flavor without hours of complicated kitchen prep. Brushing the glossy teriyaki sauce over the fish during the final two minutes on the grates creates a bubbly, caramelized crust.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

Grilled Scallops with Parmesan and Lemon

Getting that golden steakhouse crust on fresh sea scallops is surprisingly simple once you crank the heat and leave your grates well-oiled. A quick sprinkle of salty shaved parmesan and a squeeze of charred lemon, right off the coals, turn a quick sear into pure cookout magic.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Parmesan and Lemon

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Firm mahi mahi fillets are a grill master’s best friend because they stay perfectly intact over blazing flames without falling apart on your spatula. A generous rub of savory fish spice and a side of caramelized grilled lemons add a punchy citrus pop to every flaky forkful.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mahi Mahi

Grilled Shrimp

This easy double-seasoned shrimp platter is my favorite trick to make sure both the spicy-food fans and the garlic-butter lovers at your picnic stay happy. The shellfish cook over hot charcoal in barely four minutes, leaving you plenty of time to toast crusty bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp

If seafood is getting a turn on the grill this Labor Day, which recipe would you fire up first?