--- title: "Pescatarian: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A pescatarian eats fish and seafood but no other meat or poultry. Most also eat eggs and dairy. Here is what that means when you cook and shop." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/pescatarian" --- # Pescatarian A pescatarian eats fish and seafood but no other meat or poultry. Most also eat eggs and dairy. Here is what that means when you cook and shop. Also called Pescetarian, Pesco-vegetarian. A pescatarian eats fish and seafood but no meat or poultry. Most pescatarians also eat eggs and dairy, so their diet is a [vegetarian](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/vegetarian)diet with fish added. People choose it for health, environmental or ethical reasons. There is no legal definition, so ask the person you cook for what they eat. ## How to use it When you cook for a pescatarian: * Fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy, vegetables, grains and legumes are all fine. * Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and game are not. * Anything made from meat or poultry is out too, including meat stock, lard, suet, bacon fat and meat gelatin. ## Substitutes * **Chicken or beef stock:** vegetable stock, fish stock ([fumet](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fumet)) or Japanese [dashi](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/dashi). * **Bacon or pancetta:** smoked fish, smoked paprika, or anchovies for savory depth. * **Meat [gelatin](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gelatin):** fish gelatin or [agar](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/agar). * **Lard or suet in pastry:** butter or a vegetable shortening. ## Common mistakes * Using chicken stock in risotto, soups, rice and sauces out of habit. It is the most common hidden meat in vegetarian-looking dishes. * Missing gelatin in desserts, sweets, marshmallows and some yogurts. * Missing lard in pastry, tortillas and refried beans. * Frying fish in a pan or oil just used for meat. ## In recipes A recipe tagged pescatarian contains no meat or poultry but may include fish or shellfish. A recipe tagged vegetarian also suits pescatarians. Fish-based ingredients such as fish sauce, anchovies and Worcestershire sauce are fine for pescatarians, which is the main difference from cooking for vegetarians. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or feeding young children, follow your national health advice on which fish to limit because of mercury. If you cook for someone with a [fish allergy](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fish-allergy) or a shellfish allergy, that is a separate matter from diet, and they should talk to a doctor about what is safe. ## Pescatarian recipes 2850 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Roasted-Red-Pepper-Hummus-12.jpg)Roasted Red Pepper Hummuswww.skinnytaste.com · 10 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chick-pea-and-roasted-pepper-dip/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lazy-Deviled-Egg-Salad-8.jpg)Lazy Deviled Egg Salad Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 46 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/deviled-egg-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Blueberry-Peach-Crisp-9.jpg)Blueberry Peach Crispwww.skinnytaste.com · 55 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/blueberry-peach-crisp/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Arugula-Salad-3.jpg)Arugula Saladwww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/arugula-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/low-fat-tomato-vinaigrette.jpg)Red Wine Tomato Vinaigrettewww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/skinny-red-wine-tomato-vinaigrette/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lemon-Viniagrette-5.jpg)Lemon Vinaigrette Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/lemon-vinaigrette/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Old-Bay-Sheen-Pan-Shrimp-with-Corn-and-Tomatoes-5.jpg)Old Bay Sheet Pan Shrimp with Corn and Tomatoeswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/sheet-pan-shrimp-with-corn-and-tomatoes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Roasted-Chickpeas_09.jpg)Roasted Chickpeaswww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-chickpea-snack-2-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Insalata-Caprese-6.jpg)Caprese Saladwww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/caprese-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Vegan-Egplant-Meatballs.jpg)Vegan Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 80 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/vegan-eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bruschetta-Pasta-Salad-8.jpg)Bruschetta Pasta Saladwww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/bruschetta-pasta-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Green-Goddess-Dressing_05.jpg)Basil Green Goddess Dressingwww.skinnytaste.com · 5 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/basil-green-goddess-dressing/) ## Related terms * [VegetarianA vegetarian diet leaves out meat, poultry and fish. Most vegetarians eat eggs and dairy, but hidden animal products like gelatin and rennet slip in.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/vegetarian) * [VeganVegan food contains no animal products at all, so no meat, fish, dairy, eggs or honey, and none of the hidden ones such as gelatin, whey or fish sauce.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/vegan) * [FumetFumet is a quick, concentrated fish stock made from white fish bones, wine and aromatics. It cooks in 30 minutes and is the base of fish sauces and soups.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fumet) * [DashiDashi is the light Japanese stock made from kombu and bonito flakes. It is the base of miso soup and many sauces, and takes under 30 minutes to make.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/dashi) * [GelatinGelatin is a setting agent made from animal collagen, sold as sheets or powder. How to bloom it, dissolve it and get a smooth set every time.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gelatin) * [Fish allergyA fish allergy is a reaction to proteins in finned fish such as salmon, cod and tuna. It is separate from shellfish allergy and labeled in the EU and US.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fish-allergy) [More in diets and allergens](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/diets-and-allergens)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)