Seafood dishes make great additions to any restaurant menu, but not all restaurateurs feel confident in their ability to profitably incorporate them into their business’ operations. The good news is that no matter whether you’re worried about pricing, sourcing, or patrons’ tastes, there is always a seafood dish out there that will meet your needs. Keep reading to learn more about our customers’ most successful seafood menu items and what makes them such great candidates for your next menu expansion.
1. Salmon Fillets
Baked, grilled, or pan-seared, salmon fillets are a classic seafood option for restaurants. Although they taste best when prepared fresh and are sold this way by most seafood distributors, they also freeze well and can be kept on ice for up to 6 months. Prepare them with butter, garlic, and herbs and garnish them with a little fresh lemon juice for a simple yet succulent dish your patrons will love.
2. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is another simple seafood dish that looks and tastes like it took much longer to prepare. It’s easy to whip up each portion on the spot without holding up the rest of the patron’s order, and since butter, white wine, and garlic are common kitchen staples, you won’t need to worry about running out of them. Serve your scampi on a bed of pasta to bulk up the portion size of the dish without inflating costs.
3. Crab Cakes
Crispy, buttery crab cakes are always a hit with patrons who love bar food-style items with an upscale twist. You can mix them up quickly with just a handful of common ingredients, and their relatively neutral flavor profile helps them taste great with a wide range of different seasonings. Coming up with your own spin on this old favorite could win you some new regular customers.
4. Sushi
Sushi is growing in prominence in the American dining scene, particularly in casual dining settings. You can use almost any type of seafood to make it depending on your budget and menu profile, making it an extremely versatile dish addition for restaurants that like to experiment with different fishy flavors. Some common options include seared salmon, eel, unagi, and even imitation crab meat.
5. Fish and Chips
Fish and chips is one of the more popular seafood dishes around, managing to entice even those who rarely eat fish with its greasy goodness. It can also be made with almost any kind of fish you have available, including cod, halibut, and tilapia. Ask your restaurant food supplier to help you choose the most cost-effective option in your area.
6. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Adding lobster to this indulgent dish makes it feel like an extravagant treat for your customers, but it’s actually one of the most cost-effective ways to incorporate this high-end seafood into your menu. Just a few lobster tails can provide enough meat to make dozens of servings.
7. Lobster Rolls
Need a use for your leftover knuckle and claw lobster meat? Whip up some lobster rolls! The filling in these savory sandwiches is served cold, so it’s easy to make ahead and add to each incoming order. Make your own buns using a traditional brioche recipe or have your wholesale foods supplier source some high-quality hot dog buns you can toast in butter.
8. Seafood Gumbo
Spicy seafood gumbo makes a hearty and delicious addition to any restaurant menu. You can make it with just about any seafood you have on hand, including crab meat, oysters, shrimp, and white-fleshed fish. Serve it with fresh-baked bread or a scoop of rice to round out the meal and keep your customers coming back for more.
9. Clam Chowder
Rich, savory clam chowder makes a great impression on patrons without costing an arm and a leg. It also complements a wide range of different cuisines and is easy to incorporate into most menus. To make it extra special, consider serving it in a homemade bread bowl and topping it with some cheese, bacon bits, or both.
10. Ceviche
Ceviche offers two major advantages for restauranteurs: it’s served cold and it requires very little prep time. It can be served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or as a main dish on top of rice or with sweet potatoes. While it’s traditionally made with mahi mahi, you can also make it with other firm-fleshed fish like halibut, cod, or grouper in a pinch. For best results, make sure the fish is fresh and the vegetables are crunchy and vibrant.
Make Foods Galore Your Wholesale Seafood Distributors Today
Ready to give seafood a try at your restaurant? Foods Galore is here to help. Our agents will keep you supplied with all of the fresh and frozen seafood you need to make this new endeavor a success. Contact us today and discover why we’re so many restaurant owners’ go-to “food distributors near me.”
