Vocabulary Guide to Seafood in Spanish

Are you going out to dinner with Spanish-speaking friends and wish to know the names of seafood in Spanish? 

Or are you looking for an excuse to learn Spanish and want to cook seafood dishes using Spanish recipes?

Mariscos (seafood) are an important part of Hispanic cuisine. Many of these traditions come from different parts of the globe and landed in Spain and Latin America. 

This vocabulary guide to seafood in Spanish is practical and easy to use. I divided it into sections based on the different types of sea animals. You’ll also find questions, cooking styles, and parts of the sea animals so you can practice your Spanish right away!

¡Aprendamos de los mariscos en español!
Let’s learn about seafood in Spanish!

Table of Contents:

• Seafood Vocabulary
• Cuts
• Cooking Seafood in Spanish
• Serving Seafood in Spanish
• More Presentations of Seafood in Spanish
• Example Sentences in Spanish
• Learn More About Seafood in Spanish

Seafood Vocabulary

There are two ways to say fish in Spanish and they depend on whether it is dead (el pescado) or alive (el pez):

Compré un pez, y ya lo puse en la pecera.
I bought a fish, and I already put it in the fish tank.

Voy a pedir un filete de pescado.
I will order a fish filet. 

Here is a list with common types of fish and of seafood in Spanish-speaking countries. 

See also: Top 16 Latin American Sauces to Impress Your Friends

Crustaceans – Los Crustáceos

Crustaceans have a hard shell for protection, articulated legs, and antennae. They’re delicious and are ideal to eat in coastal cities where they’re served fresh. 

In Latin America, we use an idiom that goes like this: 

Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.
The shrimp that falls asleep gets carried away by the current. 

Meaning that if you don’t “wake up” you will have to deal with the consequences of your laziness or negligence. 

Mollusks – Los Moluscos

Mollusks have a tender, limp body inside a hard shell and breathe through branqui. Mollusks have no legs, and you can see the inside of their shell. 

Recommended reading: 52 Authentic Mexican Foods That Have Influenced Global Cuisine

Parts of Seafood

This seafood in Spanish guide wouldn’t be complete without a list of animal body parts. Don’t forget to take the scales off and to avoid the pin bones!

Cuts

Cutting fish in chunks is perfect when you make Peruvian ceviche or Mexican aguachile, while filets are better for the traditional breaded fish. 

Cooking Seafood in Spanish

Now that you know the names of so much seafood in Spanish, let’s cover how they can be prepared. 

Hand-picked for you: The Mexican Meat Market: Your Guide to the Spanish Butcher Shop

Serving Seafood in Spanish

Here are more preparations and garnishes you’re likely to find in Latin America and Spain. 

Check out: 200+ Vocabulary Words: Herbs and Spices in Spanish

More Presentations of Seafood in Spanish

Check out these examples of other ways to eat seafood in Spanish-speaking countries.

Adobado

Adobado is a sauce whose main ingredients are butter, jitomate (red tomato), guajillo chili, chile de árbol, English sauce, and ajo (garlic). 

A la talla 

Pescado a la talla (char-broiled fish) is a dish made with guajillo chili and ancho chili. It is called a la talla (to the size) because it’s cooked on the grill and impaled on sticks of the same size.

Empapelado 

This is marinated fish, empapelado (wrapped) in aluminum and cooked over fire, in an oven or a comal (flat griddle).

Galician style – A la gallega

One of the most famous dishes with seafood in Spanish-speaking countries is pulpos a la gallega (Galician-style octopuses), cooked with pimentón (paprika), salt, and olive oil. The preparation is simple and delicious. 

Mexican Style – A la mexicana

This one has chili, onion, and red tomato, not only for the flavorful mix but also because they’re the colors of the Mexican flag. Almost any dish goes with this sauce. 

Roman Style – A la romana 

Calamares a la romana (Roman-style calamari) are a delicious Spanish dish. The calamari is bathed in a mix of egg, flour, milk, olive oil, salt, and turmeric—and fried.

Veracruz or Biscayan style – A la veracruzana o A la vizcaína 

The bacalao a la Vizcaína (Biscayan cod) is a traditional Christmas dish in Mexico. It is served with olive oil, onions, red tomatoes, garlic, chiles güeros, green olives, chambray potatoes, and parsley.

Zarandeado 

Pescado zarandeado is roasted fish in a wooden griddle called a zaranda. Enjoy it on the beautiful beaches of Nayarit, Mexico. 

See also: 10 Spanish Dishes That Influenced Global Cuisine

Example Sentences in Spanish

¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante de mariscos por aquí?
What’s the best seafood restaurant around here?

¿Qué tan grande es la langosta rellena del menú?
How big is the stuffed lobster from the menu?

¡Amo abrir ostras!
I love to shuck oysters!

¿Eres alérgico a los mariscos?
Are you allergic to seafood?

Normalmente me como la cáscara cuando pido langostinos. 
I normally eat the shell when I have prawns.

¿Sabes cómo cocinar pulpo?
Do you know how to cook octopus?

¿Qué tipo de marisco te gusta más?
What kind of seafood do you like best?

No me gusta pelar camarones. 
I don’t like peeling shrimp.

Continue reading: For Here or to Go? How to Order Food in Spanish

Learn More About Seafood in Spanish

In our globalized, ever-evolving world, camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente. If you fall asleep while everyone is learning and acquiring new tools, you’ll be at a disadvantage. 

Learning Spanish is a brilliant idea because it can help you get better-paying jobs, travel easier, connect with new people, and enhance your brain functions. That’s a lot of benefits by doing one activity!

It’s key to use your vocabulary in real-time with real people! Homeschool Spanish Academy offers individualized, online, flexible sessions to more than 24,000 monthly enrolled students. Trust our 10 years of experience and our time-tested method. Check our affordable pricing and flexible programs and sign up for a free trial class with our certified, friendly instructors from Guatemala. 

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

• Spanish Words with Multiple Meanings in Latin America
• World Mental Health Day: A Vocabulary Guide for Mental Health Workers
• Expressing Appreciation in Spanish on World Teachers’ Day
• Art and Painting Vocabulary in Spanish
• Fall En Español: Exploring Autumn Activities for Kids
• Words You Need to Know: Common Spanish Vocabulary
• Blueprints en Español: Construction Spanish Made Simple
• Mastering Hard Words in Spanish

• Author
• Recent Posts

Nicole Canún

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

Blogger, content creator, and marketer. Proudly Mexican. Been to 30 countries. I love learning from different cultures and trying their cuisines. Obsessed with Asia. Fluent in Spanish and English, not so much in French.

Latest posts by Nicole Canún (see all)

• Latinos in the Game: Meet NFL’s Latino Players - October 24, 2023
• How Many Spanish Speaking Countries Are? - October 18, 2023
• World Mental Health Day: A Vocabulary Guide for Mental Health Workers - October 12, 2023