When you think about BBQ & Grilling season, it’s easy to picture beef burgers, chicken legs, or pork ribs first. But seafood absolutely belongs on the grill.

From shrimp skewers to cedar plank salmon, seafood delivers quick-cooking, flavorful meals that shine over open flame—when seasoned correctly.

The key is choosing the right seasoning for the right type of seafood, and using simple grilling techniques that prevent sticking, drying out, or overcooking.

We’re highlighting some of our favorite seafood seasonings for the grill, plus easy ways to cook with them so you can fire up the grill and dive in.

How to Choose Seafood Seasonings for Grilling

Seafood is more delicate than most grilling proteins, so seasoning choice matters more than people realize.

A good rule of thumb:

• lighter fish, like trout, tilapia and snapper = lighter seasoning
• richer fish, like salmon, swordfish and mahi mahi = bolder seasoning
• shellfish like shrimp, scallops, and lobster = bright, fast, high-impact flavor

Below are some of our favorite blends for grilling seafood—and how to use them.

Pyramid Peak Lemon Pepper

The marriage of citrus and pepper is a classic combination, and this blend takes it even further with layered brightness and spice. It’s ideal when you want clean, fresh grilled seafood flavor that enhances without overpowering.

For those watching sodium, try the salt-free version of this blend: Citrus Pepper Seasoning.

Best seafood to try grilling with Pyramid Peak:

• trout
• snapper
• shrimp skewers
• white fish fillets

Use to Make Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers

Bright citrus and pepper flavors make this quick-grilling shrimp recipe perfect for summer cookouts. The marinade also works well with scallops, chicken, or vegetable skewers.

Cherry Creek Seafood Seasoning

A balanced blend of lemon, pepper, and herbs with a subtle dill-forward profile.

It works across a wide range of seafood, making it one of the most versatile grilling blends in this lineup.

Best Seafood to Grill With Cherry Creek:

• halibut
• salmon
• swordfish
• shrimp skewers

Use to Make a Lemon-Dill Sauce for Shrimp Skewers

The dill and citrus notes in Cherry Creek Seafood Seasoning shine in creamy sauces and seafood dips. Pair this bright lemon-dill sauce with grilled shrimp skewers or salmon for an easy summer meal.

Pearl St. Salmon Rub

Designed for cedar plank grilling, this blend brings sweet, smoky, and lightly spicy flavor that pairs beautifully with rich fish.

It enhances salmon while complementing the subtle smoke from the cedar plank.

Best Seafood to Grill With Pearl St. Salmon Rub:

• cedar plank salmon
• scallops
• shrimp
• grilled veggies
• sweet potatoes

Use to Make Cedar Plank Salmon

This signature grilled salmon recipe is cooked over cedar plank for smoky depth, gentle heat, and incredibly tender texture.

Hidden Cove Lemon Garlic Blend

Bright, savory, and garlic-forward, this blend works especially well as both a seasoning and a quick marinade base.

It’s ideal for lighter fish that benefit from clean, bold flavor without overwhelming the seafood itself.

Best Seafood to Grill With Hidden Cove:

• trout
• whitefish
• shrimp
• veggie skewers

Use to Make Grilled Trout

A simple grilled trout recipe that highlights bright lemon garlic flavor while letting the fresh fish remain the star.

Coastal Cali Fennel Pollen Rub

Aromatic, lightly sweet, and deeply complex, this blend adds a more elevated flavor profile to grilled seafood.

Fennel pollen pairs especially well with richer fish because it enhances natural sweetness without overpowering delicate textures. It’s one of those ingredients that feels subtle at first—but adds surprising depth once grilled.

Best Seafood to Grill With Coastal Cali Fennel Pollen Rub:

• salmon
• tuna steaks
• scallops
• shrimp
• crab legs

Use to Make a Butter Sauce for Crab Legs

A rich butter sauce that pairs beautifully with grilled crab legs, shrimp, salmon, or white fish.

Or, Make Crispy Rice Salmon Bowls

Grilled salmon seasoned with Coastal Cali Fennel Pollen Rub adds smoky richness and aromatic depth to crispy rice bowls.

Coastal Bay Seafood Seasoning

Our answer to the Maryland favorite Old Bay seasoning, Coastal Bay Seafood Seasoning delivers the savory, peppery, herb-forward flavor people love in classic coastal seafood dishes.

It’s an easy all-purpose blend for grilling shrimp, salmon, crab legs, lobster, and seafood boils, bringing familiar East Coast seafood flavor to everything from weeknight fish dinners to backyard cookouts.

Best Food to Use Coastal Bay On:

• shrimp
• salmon
• crab or lobster
• mixed seafood platters
• seafood boils
• grilled potatoes or corn
• potato salad

Use Coastal Bay the same way you'd use a classic seafood seasoning blend: sprinkled over grilled shrimp, seafood foil packets, crab legs, roasted potatoes, or buttery corn alongside fresh fish off the grill.

Grilling Seafood: Simple Rules That Make a Big Difference

Before we get to recipes, a few quick grilling tips can make or break seafood on the grill.

1. Preheat your grill fully

A hot grill helps prevent sticking and creates a quick sear.

2. Don't move seafood too early

Fish naturally releases from the grill once it has a proper sear.

3. Watch cook time closely

Seafood cooks fast—often in just a few minutes per side.

4. Use the right method for the right fish

• delicate fish → grill basket or indirect heat
• firm fish → direct grill
• salmon → cedar plank for easier handling
• shrimp → high heat, quick cook

These small adjustments help ensure any piece of fish or seafood you're grilling stays intact, juicy, and flavorful.

Seafood Belongs on the Grill!

Seafood doesn’t have to be intimidating on the grill.

With the right seasoning and a few simple techniques, you can confidently cook everything from delicate trout to rich salmon and quick-cooking shrimp.

Once you understand how to match seasoning to fish type—and how to manage heat—you unlock one of the most flavorful, fast, and versatile parts of grilling season.

For even more grilling flavors, check out our BBQ & Grilling spices or our collection of Fish & Seafood seasonings, or leave a comment below with your favorite seafood friendly flavors.