Diving into the world of seafood for the first time can be a little intimidating. With so many different dishes to try involving shrimp, crab, oyster, and much more, it can be tough to know where to start, especially if your palate isn’t accustomed to the stronger flavors of the sea. Here are three tips for easing into the brine and developing a taste for scrumptious seafood.

How to Develop a Taste for Seafood

1. Neutralize the Odor

While it may be surprising, good fish shouldn’t smell fishy. If it does have a very strong, off-putting fishy odor, it might not be fresh. Instead, good fish often has a briny smell. While this scent isn’t unpleasant, it might still be a turnoff for those looking to prepare a seafood dish. Neutralizing the odor, however, is very simple. While preparing your dish, squeeze a lemon over it. The citrus will eliminate any briny smell and won’t overpower the finished product, as most of the juice evaporates while cooking.

2. Try Shrimp First

If starting with fish is too intimidating, try shrimp first. These morsels can be prepared in a variety of ways, included in a huge number of dishes—scampi, gumbo, paella, and stir-fry, to name a few—and dipped in a wide range of delicious sauces. Shrimp also don’t have much of an odor at all, making them an easy gateway for those new to ocean cuisine. 

3. Substitute Fish for Other Meats

A simple way to familiarize yourself with the taste of seafood is to substitute it for other meats in your favorite meals. Instead of grilling up a beef hamburger, for instance, you can put a delicious piece of seared salmon on a bun. Tilapia is also a mild alternative for turkey—and it can be stuffed, too.

If you’re looking to treat yourself to a seafood meal in the Bon Secour, AL, area, there’s no better place than Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Since 2004, the eatery has served up a smorgasbord of seafood such as crab cakes, shrimp, lobster, and mountains of oysters. Even better, the outdoor patio provides a comfy spot for dining with friends and family. Visit the website for a full menu or call (251) 949-5086 to speak with a friendly representative.