Americans love their seafood, and for good reason! From coast to coast, our waters provide some of the world’s most delicious fish and shellfish.
Whether you prefer something mild and flaky or bold and meaty, there’s a perfect seafood choice waiting for you.
Here are the top 20 most popular seafood options in America, ranked by how much we actually eat them.
1. Shrimp – The Undisputed Champion
Nothing beats shrimp when it comes to American seafood favorites. We eat about 5 pounds per person every year, making it our number one choice by far.
Shrimp works in almost any dish you can imagine. Toss them on the grill for a quick dinner, bread and fry them for a classic Southern meal, or serve them cold with cocktail sauce at your next party.
The sweet, tender meat cooks super fast, which makes shrimp perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Plus, they’re packed with protein and low in calories, so you can feel good about eating them regularly.
2. Salmon – The Rich and Buttery Favorite
Salmon’s rich, buttery taste has made it America’s second most loved seafood. We consume nearly 3 pounds per person each year, and that number keeps growing.
Wild Alaskan salmon offers the best flavor, but farmed varieties work great too. Grill it with some herbs, smoke it for bagels, or even eat it raw in sushi rolls.
This pink fish is loaded with healthy omega-3 fats that are great for your heart and brain. The meaty texture holds up well to different cooking methods, making salmon a reliable choice for both beginners and expert cooks.
3. Canned Tuna – The Lunchbox Hero
Every American kid grew up with tuna sandwiches, and for good reason. Canned tuna is cheap, lasts forever, and packs serious protein power.
Mix it with mayo for classic tuna salad, melt it into a grilled cheese, or toss it with pasta for a quick dinner. The possibilities are endless when you have a few cans in your pantry.
Albacore offers the mildest taste, while chunk light tuna costs less and works great in casseroles. Either way, you’re getting a healthy meal that takes just minutes to prepare and won’t break your budget.
4. Alaska Pollock – The Hidden Star
You probably eat more Alaska pollock than you realize. This mild white fish shows up in fish sticks, frozen fillets, and even fake crab meat.
Food companies love pollock because it has almost no fishy taste and a texture that works in many products. Kids especially enjoy it since the flavor won’t scare them away from seafood.
Wild-caught in the cold waters of Alaska, pollock is sustainable and affordable. The flaky white meat takes on whatever flavors you add, making it perfect for fish and chips, baked dinners, or breaded strips that even picky eaters will enjoy.
5. Tilapia – The Mild Crowd-Pleaser
Tilapia wins over families because it tastes like almost nothing at all. This super mild fish is perfect for people who want to eat seafood but don’t like strong fishy flavors.
Most tilapia comes from farms, which keeps the price low and the supply steady. Pan-fry it with butter and herbs, bake it with lemon, or use it in fish tacos.
The tender, flaky texture cooks quickly and evenly, making tilapia foolproof for beginners. Since it absorbs flavors well, you can season it however you like and know it will taste great every time you make it.
6. Pangasius (Swai) – The Budget-Friendly Option
Swai fish offers an incredibly affordable way to get white fish on your dinner table. This farmed fish from Southeast Asia tastes similar to tilapia but costs even less.
The mild flavor and flaky texture make swai perfect for families on a tight budget. Bread and fry it, bake it with vegetables, or add it to curry dishes.
While some people worry about farmed fish quality, properly sourced swai provides good nutrition at rock-bottom prices. The neutral taste means kids will actually eat it, and parents can feel good about serving affordable protein that doesn’t taste fishy or weird.
7. Cod – The Fish and Chips Legend
Cod built its reputation in British fish and chips shops, and Americans have loved it ever since. This white fish has a clean, mild taste that works in countless recipes.
The firm, flaky meat holds together well when you fry it in batter or bake it in the oven. New England fishermen have been catching cod for hundreds of years, making it a true American classic.
Fresh cod costs more than some other white fish, but the superior texture and taste make it worth the extra money. Whether you bread it, poach it, or grill it, cod delivers consistent results every single time.
8. Crab – The Special Occasion Treat
Crab meat feels like a celebration every time you eat it. From Maryland blue crabs to Alaskan king crab, these crustaceans offer sweet, delicate meat that’s worth the effort to extract.
Dungeness crab from the West Coast provides excellent value, while snow crab legs make dinner feel fancy. Steam them whole, pick the meat for crab cakes, or stuff it into rolls.
The sweet flavor needs very little seasoning – just some butter, lemon, and maybe a pinch of Old Bay. Cracking shells can be messy work, but that first bite of fresh crab meat makes all the effort completely worthwhile.
9. Catfish – The Southern Comfort Food
Down South, catfish is serious business. These whiskered fish from farm ponds provide mild, sweet meat that’s perfect for frying in cornmeal batter.
Mississippi and Louisiana lead catfish farming in America, ensuring a steady supply of this beloved fish. The tender, flaky meat has almost no muddy taste when properly raised.
Served with hush puppies, coleslaw, and hot sauce, fried catfish represents true Southern comfort food. The mild flavor appeals to kids, while adults appreciate the crispy coating and tender interior that makes every bite absolutely perfect.
10. Clams – The Coastal Classic
Clams bring the taste of the ocean straight to your bowl. Whether you’re slurping New England clam chowder or steaming littlenecks with garlic, these shellfish deliver pure coastal flavor.
Hard-shell clams work great raw on the half shell, while soft-shell clams are perfect for frying. Canned clams make quick chowders and pasta sauces possible any day of the week.
The briny, slightly sweet meat pairs beautifully with butter, white wine, and fresh herbs. Digging for clams at the beach creates fun family memories, but buying them from the fish market works just as well for dinner.
11. Mussels – The Sustainable Superstar
Mussels might be the most environmentally friendly seafood you can eat. These filter-feeding shellfish actually clean the water while they grow, making them incredibly sustainable.
Belgian-style mussels cooked in beer and cream create an amazing dinner that feels fancy but costs very little. The sweet, briny meat soaks up whatever flavors you cook them with.
Fresh mussels cook in just minutes – simply steam them until the shells open. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal at home for a fraction of the price.
12. Scallops – The Sweet Delicacy
Sea scallops are like candy from the ocean. These large, round shellfish offer incredibly sweet, tender meat that melts in your mouth when cooked properly.
The key to perfect scallops is high heat and short cooking time. Sear them in a hot pan for just 2-3 minutes per side to get a golden crust while keeping the center tender.
Bay scallops are smaller and cheaper, perfect for pasta dishes and seafood stews. Either way, scallops feel luxurious and special, turning any dinner into something memorable without requiring advanced cooking skills to prepare them correctly.
13. Oysters – The Briny Treasure
Oysters are having a major moment in America right now. These filter-feeding mollusks offer a taste of pure ocean that varies depending on where they grow.
East Coast oysters tend to be saltier and more mineral-rich, while West Coast varieties are often sweeter and creamier. Slurp them raw with mignonette sauce or grill them with garlic butter.
Each oyster reflects the specific waters where it grew, creating unique flavors that seafood lovers enjoy exploring. Raw bars and oyster festivals have made these shellfish more popular than ever, introducing new generations to their briny magic.
14. Lobster – The Ultimate Luxury
Nothing says special occasion quite like lobster. These spiny crustaceans from cold northern waters provide sweet, tender meat that feels like pure luxury on your plate.
Maine lobster rolls have become famous across America, stuffed with chunks of fresh lobster meat and just a touch of mayo. Steamed whole lobsters make impressive dinner presentations for celebrations.
The sweet meat requires minimal seasoning – just melted butter and lemon bring out the natural flavors perfectly. While lobster costs more than most seafood, the incredible taste and special feeling make it worth saving up for those important moments.
15. Flounder/Sole – The Delicate Flatfish
Flounder and sole are the gentle giants of the seafood world. These flat fish offer incredibly delicate, mild meat that practically melts when you cook it right.
The thin fillets cook super quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy and delicious. Pan-fry them in butter, bake them with herbs, or stuff them with crabmeat.
Dover sole represents the premium end of flatfish, while regular flounder provides similar taste at a much lower price. Either way, you’re getting clean, sweet flavor that even people who don’t usually like fish will probably enjoy eating.
16. Squid (Calamari) – The Crispy Favorite
Fried calamari rings have become a must-have appetizer at restaurants across America. These tender squid pieces, when cooked properly, offer a slightly chewy texture and mild ocean flavor.
The secret to good calamari is cooking it either very quickly or very slowly – anything in between makes it tough and rubbery. Most restaurants flash-fry the rings for just a couple minutes.
Whole squid can be stuffed with herbs and rice for an impressive dinner, while the tentacles make great additions to pasta dishes. Served with marinara sauce and lemon, calamari brings a taste of the Mediterranean to American tables.
17. Mahi-Mahi – The Tropical Delight
Mahi-mahi brings tropical vacation vibes to your dinner table. This colorful fish from warm waters offers firm, lean meat with a slightly sweet flavor that works great in many dishes.
The meaty texture holds up well to grilling, making mahi-mahi perfect for fish tacos with mango salsa. You can also blacken it with Cajun spices or bake it with tropical fruit.
Unlike some fish that fall apart easily, mahi-mahi stays together during cooking, making it foolproof for beginners. The mild taste appeals to people who want something more interesting than tilapia but not as strong as salmon or tuna.
18. Swordfish – The Meaty Marvel
Swordfish is the steak of the seafood world. This large ocean predator provides dense, meaty flesh that you can cut with a knife and fork just like beef.
The firm texture makes swordfish perfect for grilling – it won’t fall through the grates like more delicate fish. Marinate thick steaks in herbs and olive oil, then grill them over high heat.
The mild, slightly sweet flavor appeals to people who usually prefer meat over fish. Swordfish costs more than many other options, but the substantial, satisfying texture makes it feel like you’re getting your money’s worth from every single bite.
19. Haddock – The New England Classic
Haddock is New England’s answer to cod, offering similar mild flavor and flaky texture at a often lower price. This white fish has fed coastal families for generations.
Fish and chips shops love haddock because it holds together well in batter and doesn’t taste too fishy. The sweet, delicate meat also works great baked with breadcrumbs or poached in milk.
Smoked haddock, called finnan haddie, creates incredible breakfast dishes when mixed with eggs and cream. Fresh haddock fillets cook quickly and evenly, making them perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something healthy and satisfying without much fuss.
20. Snapper – The Southern Gulf Gem
Red snapper from the Gulf of Mexico represents some of the finest eating fish in American waters. This beautiful pink-red fish offers sweet, nutty meat with a firm but tender texture.
Whole snapper grilled with simple seasonings makes an impressive presentation for dinner parties. The skin crisps up beautifully while protecting the delicate meat inside from overcooking.
Snapper works great in fish tacos, blackened with Cajun spices, or simply pan-fried with butter and herbs. The clean, sweet flavor needs very little help to shine, making this Gulf Coast favorite a reliable choice for both simple family dinners and special occasions.
