10 Best Bluefish Recipes to Try for Dinner

Try these bluefish recipes for easy meals the family will love!

Bluefish is a muscular fish, with translates to a firm, meaty cut of fish. It boasts a similar fishy flavor (like tuna) and makes a great protein dinner option when baked, fried, grilled, or even eaten raw!

Bluefish goes bad quickly, and its lovely flavors turn bitter if it’s not stored correctly.

When shopping for bluefish, fresh is always best. Instead of heading to a big chain grocery store, opt for your local seafood market.

This will ensure you get the best cut of bluefish for these bluefish recipes. 

Tired of tuna for seafood night? Check out these fantastic recipes below!

1. Oven-Baked Bluefish 

This simple oven-baked recipe celebrates the tender flavor of bluefish.

Plus, it’s so quick and easy for a hectic weeknight meal!

Rich spices like thyme and oregano add a pop of herbal goodness.

They pair perfectly with acidic tomatoes and a drizzle of lemon juice. 

It bakes up quickly in the oven and goes perfectly with savory side dishes like potatoes or crunchy, creamy coleslaw. 

2. Quick and Easy Broiled Bluefish Fillets With Lime Aioli 

I love a good aioli sauce and this bright and acidic lime aioli pairs well with bluefish!

When broiled in the oven until tender and delicious, the lime aioli sauce adds bright flavors.

They work well with the fishy flavors of bluefish. 

Plus, this dish comes together in a snap! Broiling bluefish is a fool-proof method of cooking.

This oily and moist fish is almost impossible to dry out.

You can achieve a good char on top without worrying about drying out your cut of fish. 

3. Bluefish With Beer Batter 

There’s nothing I love more than beer-battered fish!

The humble bluefish is one of the best deep-fried options due to its firm, meaty texture and rich flavor. 

And while you can’t go wrong with a quick mix of Mexican beer and flour, adding a little lemon pepper seasoning takes this recipe to a new level.

It’s savory and deep-fries like a dream. 

It’s excellent with a hot batch of freshly cut french fries, and don’t forget the tartar sauce!

4. Fast Vietnamese Caramel Bluefish 

Looking for something a little different? This recipe is bursting with robust flavors that balance perfectly with the taste of bluefish. 

While it’s called Vietnamese caramel bluefish, the recipe doesn’t require making caramel (thank goodness).

Instead, the fish marinates in a sweet and salty mixture of brown sugar, soy sauce, and ginger. 

It’s rich and aromatic and helps tame the intense flavors from the bluefish. 

5. Smoked Bluefish Pâté 

Don’t worry, this smoked bluefish pate isn’t raw!

This creamy pate is a great way to enjoy the flavors of bluefish.

It utilizes tender, flaky pieces of smoked bluefish that you can make yourself or pre-prepared at your local seafood market. 

With bright flavors of cream cheese, lemon, and dill, it’s the ultimate summer snack that goes great with crackers!

6. Whole Grilled Bluefish With Mayonnaise 

Feeling bold? I know I was apprehensive the first time I cooked a whole fish.

It’s surprisingly simple, and you can’t beat the rich flavors that ooze into every bite. 

Since whole fish need to cook longer than fillets, adding a wet rub on the skin is essential to prevent your fish from drying out.

A simple rub of mayo and mustard keeps your fish moist and prevents it from drying. No one wants a dried-out fish!

It’s the perfect dish when you want to break out the grill but are tired of burgers and hot dogs!

7. Bluefish Chowder 

Bluefish is a tender cut of fish that explodes with meaty flavors when cooked into a fish stock.

For chowder, this cut of fish provides wonderful fishy flavors with tender chunks of fish that makes the ultimate chowder. 

Seriously, this bluefish chowder is worth checking out.

With smoky bacon, hearty root vegetables, and aromatic spices, it’s super filling and hosts a boatload of nutrition. 

It comes together in just 45 minutes but has so much depth of flavors it tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. 

8. Smoked Bluefish Rillettes 

Looking for a decedent appetizer to bring to your next potluck or holiday meal?

While this traditional French cuisine sounds fancy, it’s straightforward to make at home. 

Rillettes are similar to pate, incorporating a ton of rich and aromatic spices and veggies. 

It’s like a super fancy tuna salad that packs a ton of rich flavors that spreads like a dream on crunchy crackers.

It makes a great snack, or you can bring it to your next potluck for something a little different!

9. Grilled Bluefish Salad 

It’s no surprise that bluefish makes an amazing bluefish salad. You’ll never look at tuna salad the same way ever again!

While it’s constructed similarly to tuna salad, rich and flavorful bluefish makes all the difference in the world.

Grilled bluefish with bright lemon flavors transforms a simple seafood salad into an addictive treat. 

You can pile this grilled bluefish salad on sandwich bread, spread it on crackers, or eat it by the bowlful!

10. Fresh Wild Bluefish with Leeks 

On its own, bluefish impart massive flavors that shine well on their own.

If you can master the art of perfectly cooked bluefish, there’s no need for aggressive seasoning or additions. 

Perfectly cooked bluefish requires a bit of practice and patience.

This meaty fish cut doesn’t flake the same way as tuna or salmon, so you must monitor it while it cooks on the stove or grill.

Cook your bluefish for 10 minutes per inch of thickness on each side, and let it rest after taking it off the heat. 

With simple additions of leeks to soften the flavors, this wild bluefish and leek recipe is simple yet delicious. 

Since it doesn’t use excess spices, you can pair this recipe with just about anything.

Try roasted veggies, potatoes, or a crisp garden salad.