Spring is the perfect time to explore the Raleigh Farmers’ Market and pick up seasonal vegetables for easy seafood recipes you can make at home. Local farmers bring vibrant produce, from asparagus and spinach to broccoli, that pairs perfectly with shrimp, tilapia, and other simple seafood dishes.
To help you make the most of the season, here are three quick and easy seafood recipes featuring spring’s best vegetables.
Table of Contents
Seasonal Vegetables for Easy Seafood Recipes
Asparagus
With a bright flavor and earthy undertones, asparagus is at its peak in spring. It’s rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, and it works beautifully in quick meals. Lightly steaming, roasting, or stir-frying asparagus brings out its best texture and taste.
Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry
This shrimp and asparagus stir fry is one of the quickest, easy seafood recipes for spring. It’s light, flavorful, and a great way to enjoy a healthy source of protein. Shrimp offers a variety of vitamins and minerals while staying low in calories, making it an ideal choice for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound raw shrimp
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Preparation
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and season with ½ teaspoon salt and red pepper. Cook until pink, then remove and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil to the pan with asparagus, garlic, and ginger. Season with the remaining salt and stir until tender but still crisp.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, add soy sauce, and toss together. Stir in lemon juice just before serving.
Recipe brought to you by Tasty.
Spinach
Leafy greens thrive in spring, making this a great time to cook with tender spinach. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, spinach adds a healthy boost to any meal whether sautéed, blended, or baked.
Baked Tilapia and Spinach
This baked tilapia recipe keeps things simple with fresh spinach and light seasoning for an oven-ready dinner that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 tilapia fillets
- 8 to 12 ounces spinach
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread spinach evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and onion powder, then drizzle with chicken broth.
- Season tilapia with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning.
- Arrange fillets over the spinach and top with tomato and green onions.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
Any mild white fish, such as flounder or trout, can be used in this recipe. Each variety has its own subtle flavor and texture, giving you plenty of options when choosing the best fish for your dinner table. Serve with rice or a baked potato for a balanced meal.
Recipe brought to you by The Spruce Eats.
Broccoli
Broccoli reaches its peak in the cooler months, making spring a great time to grab it from the Farmers’ Market. It’s full of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, and roasting brings out its natural sweetness.
Roasted Tilapia and Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet-pan recipes are perfect when you need easy seafood recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor—this one brings roasted broccoli and flaky fish together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 5 tilapia fillets
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
- Cooking spray
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 425°F and coat a large sheet pan with non-stick spray.
- Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, and tarragon in a small bowl.
- Arrange tilapia fillets on the pan and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the oil mixture over the fish.
- Add broccoli and tomatoes around the fillets and drizzle with the remaining oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the fish is flaky and vegetables are tender.
Like the spinach bake, flounder or another mild fish can be used here. This quick, healthy meal is ready from start to finish in half an hour.
Recipe brought to you from No Plate Like Home.
Visit NC Seafood at the Raleigh Farmers’ Market
After your visit to the Raleigh Farmers’ Market, stop by NC Seafood for a classic Calabash-style meal. Our plates feature shrimp, flounder, oysters, and other coastal favorites, served with hushpuppies, coleslaw, and homefries.
Planning ahead? View our menu or order online for convenient takeout.