Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Air-fried salmon glazed with soy, mirin and brown sugar.
What counts as pescatarian, and what can trip you up
A pescatarian diet typically includes fish and seafood, alongside vegetables, pulses, grains, eggs and dairy, while excluding meat such as beef, pork and poultry. The grey areas are usually not the fish itself but the supporting ingredients. Stocks, broths and sauces can be meat-based even when the finished dish looks seafood-forward, and cured meats are sometimes used as a seasoning in pasta sauces, stews and salads.
It also helps to distinguish between fish and shellfish in your own kitchen. Many people who eat fish also eat shellfish, but some avoid it for preference or allergy reasons. Treat that as a separate decision from the pescatarian label itself.
Top picks in Pescatarian
Air Fryer Miso Glazed Salmon
Air-fried salmon with a sweet miso glaze.
Tilapia en Salsa Verde (Tilapia in Tomatillo Green Sauce)
Tilapia simmered in tomatillo salsa verde with coriander and lime
Anguilla alla Griglia (Italian Grilled Eel with Lemon and Garlic)
Italian grilled eel with lemon, garlic and parsley
Sichuan Glazed Salmon
Pan-seared salmon with a sticky Sichuan-style soy glaze
Spaghetti al Tonno (Tuna and Tomato Pasta)
Spaghetti with tuna, tomato, capers and parsley
Simple ways to convert a dish to pescatarian
If a recipe uses meat mainly for salt and savoury depth, you can often replace that role rather than trying to mimic the meat. Olives, capers, anchovies, miso, soy sauce, hard cheese, seaweed and well-browned onions can all contribute savouriness, depending on the dish. For soups and risottos, swapping chicken stock for vegetable or fish stock changes the flavour direction without changing the method.
When the meat is the main element, choose seafood that suits the cooking style. Firm fish and prawns hold up well in quick sautés and curries; delicate fillets are better added gently to avoid breaking up; and tinned fish can be folded into pasta, salads and spreads where you want intensity without extra cooking.
All recipes in Pescatarian
Insalata di Polpo alla Luciana (Luciana-Style Octopus Salad)
Tender octopus salad with tomatoes, garlic, chilli and parsley
Arroz a la Tumbada (Mexican Tomato Rice with Seafood)
Tomato rice finished with mixed seafood, coriander and lime
Latin American Seafood Stew with Tomato, Pepper and Lime
Seafood stew with prawns, fish, mussels and lime
Thai Coconut Prawn Bowl
Coconut prawn curry served over jasmine rice with crisp vegetables
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Vegetables and Sushi Rice
Teriyaki salmon traybake with vegetables and sushi rice
Dill Pesto Salmon (Nordic-Style Baked Salmon)
Baked salmon topped with dill pesto and toasted pumpkin seeds
Sild med Løg (Pickled Herring with Onions)
Pickled herring served with sliced onion
Polvo à Lagareiro (Roasted Octopus with Potatoes and Garlic)
Roasted octopus with potatoes, garlic, bay and olive oil
Prawn Masala with Curry Leaves and Mustard Seeds
Prawn masala tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves
Vietnamese Rice Paper Wrap Bowl with Prawns
Rice paper and vermicelli bowl with prawns and herbs
Nordic Glazed Salmon with Mustard, Honey and Dill
Baked salmon with honey mustard and dill glaze
Branzino al Sale (Salt-Crusted Sea Bass)
Salt-crusted sea bass served with lemon, parsley and extra-virgin olive oil
Allergy and label checks that matter with seafood
Fish and shellfish are major allergens, and sensitivity varies widely. A pescatarian label does not make a recipe safe for someone with a fish or shellfish allergy. Check ingredient lists for fish sauce, shrimp paste and seafood stocks, and be cautious with packaged items such as sauces and spice pastes. If you are cooking for an allergy, consider cross-contact from shared frying oil, grills and utensils, especially when cooking for mixed diets in the same kitchen.
Where to look next
Ingredient pages are helpful when you want to choose between types of fish, shellfish and tinned seafood, or when you need a swap for fish sauce or stock. Allergen guidance is also worth consulting, because seafood cooking often involves hidden ingredients and cross-contact considerations.
Cock-a-Leekie Soup with Prunes
Chicken and leek soup with prunes in a light broth
Five-Spice Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
Sticky roasted jerk chicken drumsticks with five-spice and lime
Mousse al Cioccolato Fondente (Dark Chocolate Mousse)
Chilled dark chocolate mousse folded with cream and egg whites
Asado de Boda (Mexican Wedding Pork Stew)
Mexican pork stew simmered with ancho chilli and tomatoes
Fish
Smoked Mackerel Pâté with Rye Toast
Smoked mackerel pâté with lemon and horseradish on rye
Eggs
Spätzle (German Egg Noodles with Butter and Chives)
Soft spätzle noodles tossed with butter and chives
Milk
Gigot d’Agneau Pascal (French Easter Roast Leg of Lamb)
Roast leg of lamb with garlic, rosemary and Dijon mustard
Eggs
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Giant skillet cookie with dark chocolate chips and vanilla
Frequently asked questions
Is pescatarian the same as vegetarian plus fish?
Broadly, yes: it is a plant-forward way of eating that includes fish and seafood while excluding meat. Whether eggs and dairy are included depends on the individual, so check the recipe if that matters to you.
Do pescatarian recipes include shellfish?
Often they can, but not always. Fish and shellfish are different ingredients with different allergy considerations, so treat shellfish as a separate choice.
What ingredients can make a dish non-pescatarian even if it contains fish?
Meat-based stocks and broths, bacon or pancetta used as seasoning, and some sauces made with meat extracts are common examples. Packaged components are worth checking closely.
Can I replace chicken stock with fish stock?
Usually, but it changes the flavour profile. Vegetable stock is a more neutral swap; fish stock makes the dish more overtly seafood-led.
What is a good substitute for fish sauce in a pescatarian recipe?
If you are avoiding fish sauce for allergy or preference reasons, you can often use soy sauce, tamari, miso or a seaweed-based seasoning for savouriness, depending on the dish.
Are tinned fish recipes considered pescatarian?
Yes, tinned fish is still fish. It is often used for strong flavour and convenience, but check added ingredients such as oils, sauces and seasonings.
Build around seafood, then check the supporting cast
Pescatarian cooking is usually straightforward once you choose your fish or seafood and match it to the method. The main work is checking broths, sauces and seasonings for hidden meat, and keeping allergy needs clearly separate from the diet label.
