Skip to content
Home Appliances
Log in / Register

How to Cook Fish Right

How to Cook Fish Right

Cooking fish can be a challenge - one minute too soon, and your fish comes out pink, slightly slimy and underdone; one minute too long, and you end up with tough, chewy meat. But it’s also a pretty exact science, which means that once you get your timing and technique down pat, you should end up with a perfect fish dish every single time. Not sure where to get started? This guide to cooking fish right will help you on your journey to delicious dinners.

Step One: The Right Cooking Style

The variety of fish available can be mind boggling - and different fishes have flesh of different textures which in turn suit different styles of cooking and preparation. In a nutshell, here’s a list of popular fishes and how you should be cooking them.

Cooking Fish at a Glance

Fish Texture Type of Fish Cooking Method
Firm-fleshed Tuna, Salmon, Swordfish, Mackerel, Sea Bream Barbecue, Baking
Delicate Sea Bass, Pomfret, Kurau Fish Steaming
Oily Cod, Salmon, Herring Baking, Pan-frying
Flat Fish Slices/ Fillets Sole Fish, Sardines, Tuna, Cod, Whiting Fillets On the Grill, Pan-frying

Barbecue:

Works best with fish that has firm flesh, and have been cut into thicker steaks. Barbecuing adds a wonderfully smoky flavour to the fish and is a great, fuss-free way to prepare it. Try barbecuing tuna, salmon, swordfish, mackerel, or even a whole sea bream.

Steaming:

This is the healthiest way to prepare super fresh, whole and delicate fishes like sea bass, pomfret, and kurau fish. Minimal seasoning is needed, and the moisture is sealed in by the indirect heat.

Pan-frying:

Perfect for soft white fishes like sole, tuna, cod and whiting fillets, or even oilier fishes like salmon and cod which work well in a non-stick pan.

On the Grill:

Grilling is perfect for flat fish slices or thin fillets. The heat is direct and strong, so you won’t even need to flip it. You’ll also enjoy that yummy, char-grilled aroma. Suitable for sole fish, sardines and tuna.

Baking:

This cooking method also suits firm-fleshed meat better as fishes with a more delicate, soft texture tend to dry out in the oven. Try preparing your fish en papillote (steamed in parchment paper), to retain the juices and moisture. Baking fish is also a great way to cater to parties because it's so convenient and preparation for larger numbers is simple. Works well with oilier fishes like cod, salmon, and herring.

Step Two: Pump Up the Flavour

When it comes to flavouring and marinating your fish, follow this rule - delicate, soft-fleshed fishes should be flavoured simply with clean, clear seasonings like ginger, lemongrass, butter or simply salt and pepper to preserve its natural sweetness. Firmer-fleshed fishes taste better when curried, or marinated in stronger, spicier flavours and herbs. What you need to look out for is how long you marinate them for. Marinate whole fishes for no longer than overnight; thin fillets for no longer than 45 minutes; and small chunks for no more than 2 hours. Anything longer will turn the fish mushy, especially if the marinade is acidic and contains ingredients like lemon and lime.

Step Three: How Do I Achieve Perfectly Cooked Fish?

The rule of thumb when it comes to cooking fish is 8 minutes of cooking time per inch of fish. But the timing changes when you use high or low heat, and also varies when the fish is cut thicker or thinner. So try this instead.

When cooking thicker cut fish pieces, cook for 1 minute on high heat on each side to sear and lock in the moisture. Then bring it down to medium or low heat, cook approximately for 8 minutes per inch of fish. When it comes to thinly sliced fish fillets - about ¼ inch thick, cook just a minute on each side, on medium to high heat.

Remember to take the fish immediately off the heat when you're done - or it will continue to cook and may overcook very quickly on residual heat, causing it to fall apart.

This may seem like a lot to digest at one go, but once you get it right, you'll be whipping up fish dishes like a professional, with endless possibilities!

Recommended For You

Vegetables 101 : How to Cook Perfect Greens

Vegetables are chock full of nutritious goodness and a must at every meal, but we all know there are few things as difficult - or unpleasant - to eat than soggy, overcooked, discolored vegetables. Unfortunately, vegetables are extremely sensitive to cooking and heat - and can go from very delicious to very slimy in just under a minute.

How to Cook Meat Right

Cooking meat can be a breeze or a task depending upon the kind you choose. Every meat comes with its own set of challenges that can make or break your dish. But there are a few basic rules, which, if followed, can help you excel at handling your chosen delicacy.

A Quick Guide to Cooking with Grains

For most of us, when we think of staple grains, the plain white rice is the first thing that comes to mind. Most meals don't seem to be complete without this carbohydrate. However, adding a variety of whole grains to your diet can actually introduce a whole new dimension of flavor and nutrition to your daily meals. Before white rice, the diets of our ancestors were actually more varied, and most consumed a combination of interesting whole grains which are far less common now.

Soup-er Ways to Fast, Healthy Dinners

We all want to eat well – and most of us would love to come back to a hearty, good-for-the-soul home cooked meal.

MyBosch

Register for free and enjoy many benefits!

Our service

Outstanding service – before and after the purchase.

0800 245 700

Monday - Friday: 8.30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)

Bosch Shop

The Bosch shop offers a wide range of accessories and clean & care products for Bosch appliances. Buy spares, accessories and fulfill all your maintenance needs directly from Bosch.

Find a dealer

Find dealers or service shops near you!