The Very Best Fish Recipe Ever | Easy Broiled Fish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What type of fish is best for broiling? ›

Opt for firm-fleshed varieties from Sea to Table such as Wild King Salmon, Northwest Pacific Halibut, or Pacific Black Cod. These fish hold up well to the high heat of the broiler and won't fall apart during cooking. Plus, they're rich in flavor and packed with essential nutrients.

Use Lemon 🍋

You can incorporate lemon into a marinade and marinate your fish, you can simply cook it with lemon juice and butter on top, or you can squeeze fresh lemon juice on top of a deep fried and battered fish.

Heat the broiler to 500 F. Oil the rack of the broiler pan and place it in the oven about 4 inches from the heat source. Heat until the pan is very hot. Carefully place the fish on the broiler pan and broil for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side—depending on thickness—or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Season top side of fish with salt and pepper. Place on pan. Broil about 7-8 inches from broiler unit or flames about 5-7 minutes per side, or until fish is opaque when flaked. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime and serve immediately.

Seafood steaks or fillets thicker than ½” should be turned over halfway through cooking time. Fish less than ½” thick does not need to be turned. When grilling or pan frying, place fillets skin side down (the skin will remove easily after cooking).

Use gentle heat even on a grill.

Whether you are pan searing it or grilling it, use a lower heat than you would with other meat. If you are planning to grill it, consider wrapping it in foil to keep in the moisture and ensure it doesn't absorb too much of the charcoal taste.

Fish that might otherwise be broiled can be baked at higher temperatures, ranging from 400 F to 450 F. The broiler incinerates fresh herbs and many other garnishes, but oven-baked fish can take full advantage of these light, low-fat flavoring options.

Over-cooking fish might result in dry, tough meat that is unsuitable for consumption. To avoid this, do not cook it for too long or at a high temperature. Instead, cook on low heat until the meat flakes easily with a fork.

How do you keep fish from falling apart when cooking? ›

Fish proteins break apart pretty easily at warmer temperatures, so keep it refrigerated until ready to use. Dry off the fillets/nuggets/tenders before battering to ensure better adhesion, which helps support the fish such that it falls apart less easily. Cook at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

Baking in foil

Lots of people prefer to bake their fish by wrapping it in foil. This method is very efficient, as it cuts down on oven and utensil cleaning time. By wrapping the fish in a protective covering, it has a similar effect to steaming, as moisture is sealed within the foil rather than escaping into the oven.

The best are fish with high levels of natural oils, such as salmon, mackerel and swordfish. Their natural fat provides a degree of protection against overcooking under the intense heat of the broiler, and the fish will brown beautifully.

A whole fish, in addition to being cheaper than the same weight in individual filets, is an excellent container for cooking (hey, look, it comes wrapped in a tough, scaly skin!), so barbecuing, roasting, broiling, pan-frying, poaching, and deep frying are all excellent methods for producing a moist, delicious result.

Broiling is a good way to cook thinner, leaner cuts of meat like butterflied chicken breasts, pork tenderloin medallions, strip steaks, kabobs and vegetables. Broiling is also a way to add color, crispness and flavor to a baked or roasted food.