60 Meat-Free, Seafood and Veggie-Centric Suppers That Are Perfect For Lent 2025

Krista Marshall

Wed, March 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM UTC

9 min read

Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday where Christians commemorate Jesus' time in the desert by fasting and giving up luxuries, starting on Ash Wednesday and ending the night before Easter.
The tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent, but still eating fish, is believed to have originated from meat being considered a luxury compared to fish, and some see it as a way to recognize the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday.
To spice up Lenten meals, there are 60 pescatarian and plant-based recipes available, including dishes like Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Slow Cooker Fish Curry, and Nashville Hot Fish Fingers, offering a variety of flavorful options beyond the usual tuna fish or grilled cheese sandwiches.

We're officially in the Lenten season (which starts on March 5, 2025 and goes until April 17, 2025), so if you're Catholic (or Lutheran too) and celebrate the 40 days of Lent, many of us are looking for meat-free, seafood options for dinner. So many find themselves in a rotating rut of pizza and fish , and things can get a bit boring, which is where these easy Lent recipescome in. They are sure to breathe new life into your meat-free meals over Lent!

This collection is full of delicious meals you can use over the next month before Easter sneaks up on us. And there are lots of seafood dishes in the mix so you're not just making tuna fish , grilled cheese sandwiches , or ordering cheese pizza every Friday night.

Related: Classic Tuna Salad Recipe

Why Do We Celebrate Lent?

Lent is a significant season for Christians. It is the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the time Jesus spent wandering in the desert, which is also why many commit to giving up luxuries and fasting during this time. The idea is to remember Christ's sacrifice during his time in the desert. It begins Ash Wednesday and ends the night before Easter. It also includes Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday, leading up to Good Friday, and then Easter.

Why No Meat During Lent?

Many believe the idea of giving up meat, but still eating fish, in the time of Lent came to be because meat was considered a luxury since it wasn't as readily available as fish. Others believe not eating meat, or warm-blooded animals, on Fridays is to recognize the bloodshed of the crucifixion of Christ, which occurred on Good Friday.

Related: 40 Best Easter Cookie Recipes

Easy Lent Recipes

To accommodate these traditions, I rounded up 60 pescatarian and plant-based recipes to switch up your Lenten meal routine. These are sure to please, and still super easy for our busy schedules. Try seafood pasta like Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Tuna Macaroni Salad and Spicy Peanut Noodles with Shrimp. Savory soups such as Greek Lemon Rice Soup or Slow Cooker Tomato Veggie Soup. And vegetarian Black Bean and Green Chile Enchiladas for when you're craving meatless Mexican recipes for Lent .

Related: Classic Egg Salad Recipe

Exhausted by the time Friday night comes? Get help from your favorite kitchen appliances with Air Fryer Fish and Chips , Instant Pot Fish Taco Bowls and Slow Cooker Fish Curry. Love salmon ? There are a few varieties including Teriyaki Glazed and Honey Mustard. Have a box of fish sticks sitting in the freezer? Spice them up with a Nashville Hot version that is sure to have you licking your fingers in no time!

Lenten food doesn't have to be boring or repetitive. There are so many options out there just waiting for you to explore and taste. By the time Easter rolls around, you will love these recipes so much, they just might become a part of your regular supper rotation year-round!

Best Meals For Lent

Pip and Ebby<p>A fish supper on a busy night? Yes! Thanks to your air fryer!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Pip and Ebby

A fish supper on a busy night? Yes! Thanks to your air fryer!

**Get the recipe:** **Air Fryer Salmon**

**Related:** **55 Best Air Fryer Fish Recipes**

Krista Marshall<p>A childhood favorite that never goes out of style.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

A childhood favorite that never goes out of style.

**Get the recipe:** **Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole**

Stephanie Mullins<p>Avocado and crab salad? Talk about a flavor explosion!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Stephanie Mullins

Avocado and crab salad? Talk about a flavor explosion!

**Get the recipe:** **Crab Salad Avocado Boats**

Clare Barboza<p>An easy fish recipe bursting with flavor thanks to orange juice and soy sauce.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Clare Barboza

An easy fish recipe bursting with flavor thanks to orange juice and soy sauce.

**Get the recipe:** **Zesty Grilled Fish**

Krista Marshall<p>Simple sandwich suppers are great for busy nights.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — Krista Marshall

Simple sandwich suppers are great for busy nights.

**Get the recipe:** **Shrimp Salad Sub Sandwiches**

Andrew Purcell<p>Mexican nights during Lent just got tastier.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Andrew Purcell

Mexican nights during Lent just got tastier.

**Get the recipe:** **Corn and Poblano Tostadas with Guacamole**

Ben Rayl<p>Perfect for date night at home during Lent.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Ben Rayl

Perfect for date night at home during Lent.

**Get the recipe:** **Best Crab Cakes**

Krista Marshall<p>Imitation crab makes this budget-friendly but still delicious.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Imitation crab makes this budget-friendly but still delicious.

**Get the recipe:** **Crab Pasta Salad**

Krista Marshall<p>So flavorful, nobody will ever miss the meat.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

So flavorful, nobody will ever miss the meat.

**Get the recipe:** **Black Bean Lasagna**

Alison Ashton<p>Fish tacos with so much flavor, you will keep making them after Lent is over.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Alison Ashton

Fish tacos with so much flavor, you will keep making them after Lent is over.

**Get the recipe:** **Fish Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce and Pico de Gallo**

**Related:** **65 Best Taco Recipes**

Mark Boughton Photography<p>Hummus is the secret ingredient to your new favorite sheet pan dinner.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — Mark Boughton Photography

Hummus is the secret ingredient to your new favorite sheet pan dinner.

**Get the recipe:** **Crunchy Hummus Crusted Fish Sheet Pan Dinner**

Rober Bredvad<p>Perfect for a weekend lunch or light supper.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Rober Bredvad

Perfect for a weekend lunch or light supper.

**Get the recipe:** **Arugula Salad with Grilled Shrimp**

Sweetgreen<p>The classic components of fish tacos, in a protein-packed meal.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Sweetgreen

The classic components of fish tacos, in a protein-packed meal.

**Get the recipe:** **Fish Taco Bowl**

James Stefiuk<p>Frozen fish gets a crunchy topping and cooks quickly in a hot oven.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — James Stefiuk

Frozen fish gets a crunchy topping and cooks quickly in a hot oven.

**Get the recipe:** **Parmesan-Crusted Cod**

Aubrie Pick<p>Pho lovers won't believe this is meatless.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Aubrie Pick

Pho lovers won't believe this is meatless.

**Get the recipe:** **Meatless Vietnamese Meatball Pho**

Krista Marshall<p>All the flavors from your favorite sushi, no rolling required.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

All the flavors from your favorite sushi, no rolling required.

**Get the recipe:** **California Sushi Roll Bowls**

iStock<p>A Mardi Gras tradition you can enjoy throughout the season.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — iStock

A Mardi Gras tradition you can enjoy throughout the season.

**Get the recipe:** **Portia and Ellen's Vegan Red Beans and Rice**

Parade<p>A festive shrimp salad served in tortilla cups.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Parade

A festive shrimp salad served in tortilla cups.

**Get the recipe:** **Quinoa Shrimp Salad**

James Stefiuk<p>Grab some bagged coleslaw mix to save you time on these.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — James Stefiuk

Grab some bagged coleslaw mix to save you time on these.

**Get the recipe:** **Instant Pot Fish Taco Bowls**

Eve Kolenko<p>Traditional Indian curry made right in your Crock Pot.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Eve Kolenko

Traditional Indian curry made right in your Crock Pot.

**Get the recipe:** **Slow Cooker Fish Curry**

**Related:** **44 Keto-Friendly Curry Recipes**

Parade<p>A simple, healthy fish supper perfect for a weeknight.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — Parade

A simple, healthy fish supper perfect for a weeknight.

**Get the recipe:** **Spanish Rice and Fish**

Krista Marshall<p>Serve this light dish with crackers and fresh fruit for a simple supper.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Serve this light dish with crackers and fresh fruit for a simple supper.

**Get the recipe:** **Seafood Salad**

Krista Marshall<p>Tomato soup is taken to the next level! Don't forget the grilled cheese for dipping.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krista Marshall

Tomato soup is taken to the next level! Don't forget the grilled cheese for dipping.

**Get the recipe:** **Slow Cooker Tomato Veggie Soup**

The Country Cook<p>A restaurant favorite made at home thanks to your air fryer.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

A restaurant favorite made at home thanks to your air fryer.

**Get the recipe:** **Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>A meat-free gnocchi supper that is still hearty and filling.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

A meat-free gnocchi supper that is still hearty and filling.

**Get the recipe:** **Gnocchi with Spinach and Beans**

Spend With Pennies<p>With a rainbow of colors, you know it has to be good.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

With a rainbow of colors, you know it has to be good.

**Get the recipe:** **Avocado Salmon Salad**

South Your Mouth<p>A quick and easy recipe for baked cod with blackening spices.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

A quick and easy recipe for baked cod with blackening spices.

**Get the recipe:** **Baked Blackened Cod**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>So delicious, the kids won't even care they are eating green stuff.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

So delicious, the kids won't even care they are eating green stuff.

**Get the recipe:** **Baked Cheesy Broccoli and Shells**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>Put down the take-out menu! Look what you can make at home!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

Put down the take-out menu! Look what you can make at home!

**Get the recipe:** **Shrimp Fried Rice**

Spend With Pennies<p>A fresh, filling salad that makes an entire meal.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

A fresh, filling salad that makes an entire meal.

**Get the recipe:** **Blackened Salmon Salad**

**Related:** **50 Best Main Dish Salads**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>Put a little kick into your weekly menu with this sweet and spicy dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

Put a little kick into your weekly menu with this sweet and spicy dish.

**Get the recipe:** **Spicy Peanut Noodles with Shrimp**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>Add a tossed salad on the side for a complete meal combo.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

Add a tossed salad on the side for a complete meal combo.

**Get the recipe:** **Broccoli Stuffed Potatoes**

Spend With Pennies<p>Tender, juicy shrimp simmered in a rich coconut broth.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Tender, juicy shrimp simmered in a rich coconut broth.

**Get the recipe:** **Coconut Shrimp Curry**

Spend With Pennies<p>Crispy, sweet shrimp perfect for dipping.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Crispy, sweet shrimp perfect for dipping.

**Get the recipe:** **Coconut Shrimp**

The Country Cook<p>A restaurant-quality recipe for creamy seafood enchiladas.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

A restaurant-quality recipe for creamy seafood enchiladas.

**Get the recipe:** **Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas**

The Country Cook<p>A salmon dinner with Asian flavors you will love.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — The Country Cook

A salmon dinner with Asian flavors you will love.

**Get the recipe:** **Easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon**

Spend With Pennies<p>A quick dinner that starts with baked cod or halibut.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

A quick dinner that starts with baked cod or halibut.

**Get the recipe:** **Easy Fish Tacos**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>A delicious soup bursting with fresh flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

A delicious soup bursting with fresh flavor.

**Get the recipe:** **Greek Lemon Rice Soup**

South Your Mouth<p>A quick and easy pasta supper made with sauteed shrimp, your favorite sauce and freshly grated cheese.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

A quick and easy pasta supper made with sauteed shrimp, your favorite sauce and freshly grated cheese.

**Get the recipe:** **Easy Shrimp with Pasta**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>No meat? No problem! The black beans give protein and flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

No meat? No problem! The black beans give protein and flavor.

**Get the recipe:** **Black Bean and Green Chile Enchiladas**

**Related:** **32 Cheap and Easy Black Bean Recipes**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>A light pasta salad that is even better the next day!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

A light pasta salad that is even better the next day!

**Get the recipe:** **Tuna Macaroni Salad**

Spend With Pennies<p>A showstopper fish recipe perfect for entertaining during Lent.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

A showstopper fish recipe perfect for entertaining during Lent.

**Get the recipe:** **Garlic Butter Baked Salmon**

Everyday Mom's Meals<p>Homemade Alfredo sauce is easier than you might think.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Everyday Mom's Meals

Homemade Alfredo sauce is easier than you might think.

**Get the recipe:** **Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo**

Spend With Pennies<p>It only takes one pan to make an elegant and tasty supper.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

It only takes one pan to make an elegant and tasty supper.

**Get the recipe:** **Garlic Butter Sheet Pan Shrimp**

Spend With Pennies<p>Tender, flaky salmon with a lemony herb crust.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Tender, flaky salmon with a lemony herb crust.

**Get the recipe:** **Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon**

Spend With Pennies<p>Garlicky, buttery shrimp in about 15 minutes! </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

Garlicky, buttery shrimp in about 15 minutes!

**Get the recipe:** **Garlic Butter Shrimp**

Spend With Pennies<p>If you think honey mustard is delicious with chicken, wait until you taste it with salmon!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

If you think honey mustard is delicious with chicken, wait until you taste it with salmon!

**Get the recipe:** **Honey Mustard Salmon**

South Your Mouth<p>These spicy fish sticks are nothing like your mama made.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

These spicy fish sticks are nothing like your mama made.

**Get the recipe:** **Nashville Hot Fish Fingers**

Spend With Pennies<p>These salmon patties can be baked or pan fried.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

These salmon patties can be baked or pan fried.

**Get the recipe:** **Salmon Croquettes**

Spend With Pennies<p>A tasty seafood spin on Taco Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

A tasty seafood spin on Taco Tuesday.

**Get the recipe:** **Shrimp Tacos**

**Related:** **50 Best Grilled Shrimp Recipes**

<p>This dish is one you'll be dreaming about long after Lent is over.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — This dish is one you'll be dreaming about long after Lent is over.

**Get the recipe:** **Thai Noodle Salad**

South Your Mouth<p>Get your Friday fish fry on!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — South Your Mouth

Get your Friday fish fry on!

**Get the recipe:** **Southern Fried Fish**

Spend With Pennies<p>A soy and honey glaze gives this salmon an extra sweet and savory flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

A soy and honey glaze gives this salmon an extra sweet and savory flavor.

**Get the recipe:** **Honey Glazed Salmon**

The Country Cook<p>Pair this with some baked fish, or some store-bought shrimp egg rolls!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — The Country Cook

Pair this with some baked fish, or some store-bought shrimp egg rolls!

**Get the recipe:** **Vegetable Fried Rice**

Spend With Pennies<p>An entire fish supper right in your air fryer.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

An entire fish supper right in your air fryer.

**Get the recipe:** **Air Fryer Fish and Chips**

Spend With Pennies<p>You will love how crunchy shrimp can get in the air fryer.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Spend With Pennies

You will love how crunchy shrimp can get in the air fryer.

**Get the recipe:** **Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp**

Julia's Simply Southern<p>A pasta supper that includes shrimp and a veggie in every bite.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Julia's Simply Southern

A pasta supper that includes shrimp and a veggie in every bite.

**Get the recipe:** **Blackened Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo**

<p>Enjoy serving this seafood dish for your whole family.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Enjoy serving this seafood dish for your whole family.

**Get the recipe:** **Shrimp Etouffee**

Half Baked Harvest<p>An elegant scallop supper in only 20 minutes!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Half Baked Harvest

An elegant scallop supper in only 20 minutes!

**Get the recipe:** **20 Minute Honey Garlic Butter Scallops and Orzo**

Half Baked Harvest<p>Yes, you can still have a burger piled high with flavor during Lent!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Half Baked Harvest

Yes, you can still have a burger piled high with flavor during Lent!

**Get the recipe:** **Blackened Salmon Burgers**

**Related:** **28 Healthy Burger Recipes**

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Don't Miss:

Why Do We Celebrate Lent?

Why No Meat During Lent?

Easy Lent Recipes

Best Meals For Lent