Psari Plaki (Baked Fish with Tomato and Potatoes)
Greek baked fish with tomato sauce, potatoes and onions
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 Teriyaki Salmon
Air-fried salmon glazed with soy, mirin and brown sugar.
Gochujang-Glazed Salmon
Baked salmon with gochujang, soy, sesame and garlic glaze
Quick Poke Bowl
Quick tuna poke bowl with rice, avocado and cucumber.
Smoked Salmon with Potatoes, Sour Cream and Dill
Smoked salmon with new potatoes, sour cream and dill
Insalata di Polpo e Patate (Octopus and Potato Salad)
Octopus and potato salad with lemon and capers
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
Besugo al Horno (Baked Sea Bream with Potatoes and Onion)
Whole sea bream baked over potatoes and onions with lemon and parsley
Marmitako (Basque Tuna and Potato Stew)
Traditional marmitako with tuna and potatoes simmered in a light paprika broth
Air Fryer Salmon
Flaky air fryer salmon with lemon, dill, mustard and rapeseed oil.
Prawn Masala with Steamed Rice
Prawns simmered in a spiced tomato and onion gravy, served with rice
Prawn and Avocado Marie Rose Salad
Classic prawn and avocado salad with Marie Rose sauce, served on romaine lettuce
Pulpo a la Gallega con Patatas (Galician Octopus with Potatoes)
Simmered octopus sliced over potatoes, finished with olive oil, paprika and salt
Samke Harra (Lebanese Spiced Baked Fish)
Lebanese baked fish with a warm walnut, chilli and coriander sauce and lemon
Zuppa di Pesce (Italian Fish Stew)
Italian fish stew with mussels and prawns in tomato, garlic and white wine broth
Acqua Pazza (Fish Poached in Tomato and White Wine Broth)
White fish gently poached with tomato, white wine, garlic, parsley and chilli
Malabar Prawn Biryani
Fragrant prawn biryani with caramelised onions, mint and coriander
Orata al Cartoccio (Sea Bream Baked in a Parcel)
Sea bream baked in a sealed parcel with tomatoes, lemon, basil and white wine
Ceviche Bowl with Lime-Cured Fish, Rice and Avocado
Ceviche bowl with lime-cured white fish, rice, avocado, cucumber, onion and coriander
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
Gluten
Berry Kefir Smoothie Bowl
Kefir smoothie bowl with berries, banana, granola and chia.
Gluten
Rinderrouladen (German Beef Roulades with Mustard and Bacon)
Beef roulades with mustard, bacon, gherkins and gravy
Fish
Modern Salmon Potato Cakes
Crisp salmon and potato cakes with lemon
Milk
Arrosto di Vitello al Forno (Roast Veal)
Roast veal with garlic, rosemary and reduced pan juices
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.
