When it comes to seafood, timing is everything. Choosing seasonal seafood ensures that you’re not only getting the freshest catch but also supporting sustainable practices and enjoying unparalleled taste.
At NC Seafood Restaurant, where seafood is celebrated for its quality and variety, knowing what’s in season can help create dishes that highlight the best flavors each season has to offer. Join our Raleigh seafood enthusiasts as we prove our seasonal seafood guide for what’s fresh throughout the year and how to pair your meals with perfect sides for a complete dining experience.
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What is Seasonal Seafood?
Seasonal seafood refers to fish and shellfish that are at their peak during specific times of the year. This can depend on their natural life cycle, migration patterns, or when they’re most abundant. Seasonal seafood is typically fresher, more sustainable, and offers better taste and texture compared to seafood that is caught or farmed out of season.
Why is Eating Seasonal Seafood Important?
Choosing seasonal seafood is more than a culinary decision—it benefits you, your community, and the environment. Celebrated for its superior freshness, local sourcing, and environmental benefits, eating seasonal seafood enhances your meals and lifestyle.
Freshness and Quality
Seasonal seafood offers unmatched freshness and quality. Caught at its peak, seafood has the best flavor and texture, ensuring meals that are juicier and more vibrant. This also means you’re eating fish that hasn’t been preserved or transported long distances, maintaining its nutritional value.
Local Sourcing
Seasonal seafood is often locally sourced, supporting regional fishing communities and small-scale fisheries. This strengthens the local economy and keeps traditional fishing practices alive. Plus, locally sourced fish reduces transit time, which lowers the carbon footprint and ensures fresher seafood on your plate.
Environmental Impact
Eating seasonal, sustainable seafood supports fish populations to replenish during off-seasons and maintain a healthy ecosystem. This reduces the risk of overfishing and promotes responsible industry practices, ensuring seafood availability for future generations.
Nutritional Benefits
Seafood caught at the right time is richer in essential nutrients like omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals. Fresh fish retains its nutritional content better than preserved or shipped alternatives, making seasonal choices more beneficial for your health.
Culinary Variety
Seasonal seafood adds variety to your meals, allowing you to explore different flavors year-round. Enjoy flounder and shrimp in the spring, blue crab and swordfish in summer, oysters and red snapper in the fall, and scallops and cod in winter. This rotation keeps meals exciting and aligns with nature’s rhythm.
Cost-Effectiveness
In-season seafood is more abundant, making it more affordable. With supply meeting demand, prices remain competitive, unlike out-of-season options that require costly imports and preservation. Choosing seasonal seafood is budget-friendly without sacrificing taste or quality.
What Fish is in Season Right Now?
Understanding what fish and seafood are in season can help you choose the freshest, most flavorful options for your meals. Each season brings a unique array of seafood to enjoy, highlighting the natural cycle of the ocean’s bounty. Here’s a detailed seasonal seafood guide to what fish are at their peak throughout the year, so you can plan your dishes with confidence and excitement.
Spring
Spring marks the beginning of warmer weather and a shift toward lighter, more refreshing meals. The following seafood options are at their freshest during this season:
- Flounder: This mild fish is perfect for pan-frying or baking with a delicate texture.
- Mahi-Mahi: Firm and slightly sweet, ideal for grilling with marinades.
- Shrimp: Sweet and succulent, great for dishes like shrimp scampi or tacos.
Summer
Summer is the peak season for an array of seafood. It’s perfect for outdoor dining and light, refreshing summer seafood dishes:
- Blue Crab: Sweet, tender meat, popular for crab boils and cakes.
- Sea Bass: Delicate fish that pairs well with summer vegetables when pan-seared.
- Swordfish: Meaty texture perfect for grilling and summer skewers.
Fall
Fall signals the start of cooler weather and a shift to heartier, more comforting meals. The seafood that’s in season reflects this change, offering deeper flavors and textures:
- Black Drum: Mild, slightly sweet, excellent for roasting or blackening.
- Oysters: Briny and oceanic, best enjoyed raw or baked.
- Red Snapper: Subtly sweet, great for baking or grilling whole.
Winter
Winter’s cold temperatures call for warm, comforting dishes. The seafood available in this season is perfect for hearty, rich meals that can warm you up from the inside out:
- Scallops: Sweet and tender, perfect for searing or baking.
- Cod: Mild and flaky, ideal for chowders or fish stews.
- Clams: Great for hearty dishes like clam chowder or pasta.
What Fish Are Fresh Year-Round?
Some seafood is consistently available and fresh throughout the year, providing versatility and reliability in the kitchen. Here’s a closer look at these staples.
Salmon
Salmon is popular for its rich flavor and nutritional value, packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Thanks to sustainable aquaculture, it’s available year-round and perfect for grilling, baking, or poaching. Whether it’s lemon dill or miso-glazed, salmon remains a favorite choice any time of the year.
Catfish
Known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor, catfish is a Southern staple available year-round due to reliable farming. Affordable and versatile, it shines in comfort dishes like fried catfish or grilled with herbs. Rich in protein and low in calories, catfish is a budget-friendly option.
Tilapia
Tilapia’s mild taste and adaptability make it a year-round favorite. It absorbs marinades and seasonings well, perfect for baking, pan-searing, or using in tacos. Sustainable farming keeps tilapia accessible year-round, offering a protein-rich, vitamin-packed option.
Sides to Serve with Seasonal Seafood
Pairing your seasonal seafood with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience by enhancing the natural flavors and adding depth to your meals. Whether you’re serving a light spring fish or a hearty winter seafood dish, choosing complementary sides that reflect the season will ensure a balanced and delicious meal. Here is our seasonal seafood guide for side dish ideas to inspire your seafood menu.
Spring Seafood Sides
Spring sides should be fresh, light, and vibrant to reflect the season’s renewal. These sides pair wonderfully with delicate seafood flavors:
- Citrus Arugula Salad
- Grilled Asparagus
- Lemon Rice Pilaf
- Steamed Baby Carrots
- Pea and Mint Salad
- Herb-Roasted Potatoes
Summer Seafood Sides
Summer is the perfect time for sides that highlight seasonal produce and bright flavors. These options complement the bold and fresh taste of summer seafood:
- Quinoa Tabbouleh
- Fresh Corn on the Cob
- Tomato-Basil Salad
- Watermelon and Feta Skewers
- Grilled Zucchini and Squash
- Chilled Cucumber Salad
Fall Seafood Sides
Fall brings in earthy flavors and hearty ingredients that pair well with richer seafood dishes. Here are some side dishes that highlight the season’s produce:
- Wild Mushroom Risotto
- Roasted Root Vegetables
- Creamy Polenta
- Warm Apple and Kale Salad
- Butternut Squash Puree
- Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Winter Seafood Sides
Winter sides are all about warmth, comfort, and depth of flavor, perfect for pairing with hearty winter seafood:
- Ratatouille
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Sautéed Spinach
- Wild Rice with Cranberries
- Baked Cauliflower Gratin
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Experience the Best of Seasonal Seafood at NC Seafood Restaurant
Ready to savor the finest seasonal seafood paired with the perfect sides? At NC Seafood Restaurant, we bring the freshest, most flavorful catches to your table year-round. Our carefully curated seafood menu showcases the bounty of each season, ensuring you enjoy the peak taste and quality of local seafood.
Join us for an unforgettable dining experience where seasonal flavors come to life. Visit us at our Raleigh location, order take-out from our online menu, or sign up for a newsletter to stay up to date on local, events and recipes year-round.