18 Meatless Lent-Friendly Meals to Try This Season!

Christians observe Lent to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. In 2025, Lent runs from March 5 through April 17, ending the day before Good Friday. During this period, some observers abstain from meat on Fridays. This may pose a challenge for many households regarding what to eat during Lent, but Red Gold is here with a collection of 18 meatless Lenten recipes packed with options to satisfy every palate! From comforting classics to creative twists on your favorite dishes, we’ve carefully curated these meals to ensure they’re perfect for the Lenten season. Each dish comes with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, so you can confidently create the perfect meal every time.

Find Your Next Friday Meal for Lent

Check out the flavorful soups, fresh salads, hearty pastas, and more in the recipes below as you celebrate Lent with meals that are not only meatless but truly unforgettable.

Spring Roll Bowl with Crispy Salmon

The Spring Roll Bowl with Crispy Salmon is a flavorful twist on the classic spring roll. It features marinated salmon cubes cooked to perfection. The marinade, made with Red Gold's Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Ketchup, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce, adds a tangy and spicy kick.

Linguine & Mussels

Linguine & Mussels is a classic dish featuring tender mussels in a spicy arrabbiata-style tomato sauce made with Red Gold Tomato Paste and Whole Peeled Tomatoes. Tossed with al dente linguine and garnished with fresh parsley and optional parmesan, this flavorful meal is sure to delight.

Mexican Seafood Cocktail

This recipe is perfect for Lent, with a refreshing appetizer combining plump shrimp, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, and a spicy kick from jalapeño ketchup. It’s perfectly paired with tortilla chips for a zesty and light dish.

Sriracha Cocktail Sauce

This delicious recipe is a tangy, sweet, and garlicky homemade sauce with Sriracha ketchup. It is perfect for pairing with raw, steamed, or fried seafood and for dipping.

Spicy Linguine with Shrimp and Capers

Our Spicy Linguine with Shrimp and Capers is a vibrant pasta dish featuring a light tomato sauce with fresh herbs, garlic, and capers. Tossed with tender shrimp and linguine, it’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and entertaining.

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs 

These easy-to-make shrimp skewers are seasoned with a smoky dry rub and basted with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Although they’re a summer BBQ favorite with bold flavors, they’re also a great meal for Lent!

Puttanesca Sauce with Shrimp

If you've never tried making Puttanesca Sauce, consider this your cue to start. Its bold, robust flavor comes together effortlessly with just a handful of simple ingredients! This recipe features a robust tomato-based sauce with capers, olives, and anchovies, paired with shrimp and served over pasta.

Shrimp and Tomato Bisque

This Lent dinner recipe features a creamy, indulgent soup with tender shrimp and a rich tomato base. This silky bisque is quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal.

Tuna Casserole

Our Tuna Casserole recipe is a comforting classic made with tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and peas, all mixed together and baked to perfection. This dish is a hearty and satisfying family favorite topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy fried onions.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits are great for breakfast, lunch, or a Lent meal! This southern classic dish is elevated in our recipe with cheesy Gouda grits, crispy bacon, and a flavorful Creole sauce. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal for any occasion.

Salmon with Tomatoes & Mint

This recipe is a winner all the time, especially during Lent! Baked salmon is paired with fresh tomatoes, mint, and lemon for a light, omega-rich dish. It’s quick enough for a weeknight yet perfect for entertaining.

Paella

This dish is a traditional Spanish classic. It features a sofrito base of garlic, tomatoes, onion, and red peppers, combined with saffron-infused rice, fresh seafood, and chorizo. This vibrant one-pan meal is perfect for Lent or any other occasion.

Chinese Ginger Shrimp

Our Chinese Ginger Shrimp recipe includes sweet and spicy shrimp marinated with ginger and Sriracha, fried to crispy perfection, and coated in a tangy sauce. It’s perfect as a light meal or appetizer.

Grilled Tuna Burger

Who says you can’t have a burger during Lent? Our Grilled Tuna Burger recipe is a flavorful alternative to beef. These tuna patties are mixed with panko, veggies, and spices and then grilled to golden perfection. They are served on buns with a dollop of dill or ranch dip.

Fish Taco with Lime & Cilantro Aioli

Taco Tuesday? Make it Taco Friday during Lent with this flavorful recipe! It includes marinated and grilled flaky fish like cod or tilapia, served in warm tortillas with crunchy cabbage and a zesty lime-cilantro aioli. It’s a light and flavorful taco option.

Roasted Halibut with Greek Relish

This recipe is flavorful and delicious. It’s a grilled halibut topped with a Mediterranean-inspired relish of tomatoes, Kalamata olives, basil, and feta. It’s a fresh and elegant dish for any occasion, especially during Lent. This refreshing Latin American appetizer is made with shrimp cured in citrus juices mixed with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and avocado. It can be served with tortilla chips or tacos.

Ceviche

This refreshing Latin American appetizer is made with shrimp cured in citrus juices mixed with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and avocado. It can be served with tortilla chips or tacos.

Herb Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes

This quick and easy roasted salmon recipe features the salmon filet topped with a savory tomato sauce and fresh herbs. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, which makes it ideal for a Friday Lent meal.

Red Gold Tomatoes, Enhancing the Flavor of your Meal

Red Gold Tomatoes are the ultimate secret to elevating the flavor of your meals. With Lent almost here, we hope you enjoy the recipes we've put together!

With a versatile range of products—from diced and crushed varieties to flavorful blends with herbs and spices—Red Gold has something for every recipe. Our award-winning quality, recognized for exceptional taste and freshness, ensures that each dish you create bursts with vibrant flavors. Trusted by home cooks and professional chefs alike, Red Gold Tomatoes are more than just an ingredient—they're the foundation of unforgettable meals.