Fish Recipes

Discover delicious recipes featuring fresh fish and seafood. From classic British fish and chips to elegant grilled salmon, explore our collection of tried-and-tested recipes.

Classic British Fish and Chips

Classic British Fish and Chips

45 minutes Serves 4 Difficulty: Medium

A British classic that never goes out of style. Crispy beer-battered fish served with golden chips and mushy peas.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large white fish fillets (cod or haddock), about 200g each
  • 225g plain flour
  • 300ml cold beer (lager works well)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1kg Maris Piper potatoes
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Mushy peas and tartar sauce to serve

Instructions:

  1. Cut the potatoes into thick chips and soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  2. For the batter, mix flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the beer until smooth. Let rest for 15 minutes.
  3. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pan to 180°C. Fry the chips in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm.
  4. Dip each fish fillet in the batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully lower into the hot oil and fry for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  5. Drain the fish on kitchen paper and serve immediately with chips, mushy peas, and tartar sauce.

Tips:

  • Use cold beer and cold batter for the crispiest coating
  • Don't overcrowd the fryer - cook fish in batches
  • Serve immediately for the best texture
Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

20 minutes Serves 2 Difficulty: Easy

An elegant and quick dish that showcases the natural flavour of fresh salmon. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 salmon fillets, skin-on, about 150g each
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 50g butter
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Steamed vegetables or salad to serve

Instructions:

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
  3. Place salmon skin-side up in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden.
  4. Flip the salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through but still moist.
  5. Remove salmon from pan and set aside. Reduce heat and add butter, garlic, and lemon juice to the pan.
  6. Cook for 1 minute, then stir in lemon zest and dill.
  7. Pour the lemon butter sauce over the salmon and serve immediately with vegetables.

Tips:

  • Don't move the salmon until it's ready to flip - this ensures a crispy skin
  • Cook until the centre is just opaque - salmon continues cooking after removal from heat
  • Fresh lemon is essential for the best flavour
Grilled Sea Bass with Herbs

Grilled Sea Bass with Herbs

25 minutes Serves 2 Difficulty: Medium

Light, fresh, and full of flavour. This grilled sea bass recipe is perfect for summer evenings and showcases the delicate taste of fresh sea bass.

Ingredients:

  • 2 whole sea bass, cleaned and scaled (about 400g each)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lemons, one sliced, one juiced
  • Fresh herbs: thyme, rosemary, parsley
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • New potatoes and green beans to serve

Instructions:

  1. Preheat grill or barbecue to medium-high heat.
  2. Make 3 diagonal cuts on each side of the fish.
  3. Stuff the cavity with lemon slices, garlic, and herbs.
  4. Rub the outside with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Grill for 6-7 minutes on each side, until the skin is crispy and the flesh is opaque.
  6. Serve with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and your choice of sides.

Tips:

  • Ensure the grill is well-oiled to prevent sticking
  • Don't flip too early - let the skin crisp up first
  • Test doneness by checking if the flesh flakes easily
Fish Pie with Creamy Mash

Fish Pie with Creamy Mash

60 minutes Serves 6 Difficulty: Medium

A comforting British classic. Creamy fish pie topped with buttery mashed potatoes - perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients:

  • 600g mixed fish (salmon, cod, haddock), cut into chunks
  • 200g prawns
  • 50g butter
  • 50g plain flour
  • 500ml whole milk
  • 1kg potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 50g butter for mash
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • Salt, pepper, and nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan.
  2. Cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and mash with butter and milk. Season well.
  3. Poach the fish in milk for 3-4 minutes until just cooked. Remove fish and reserve the milk.
  4. Make a white sauce: melt butter, stir in flour, gradually add reserved milk. Cook until thick and smooth.
  5. Add fish, prawns, parsley, and lemon zest to the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  6. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and top with mashed potatoes.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve hot.

Tips:

  • Use a mix of fish for better flavour and texture
  • Don't overcook the fish when poaching
  • Fork the mash on top for a crispy finish

Recipe Comparison

Recipe Difficulty Time Serves Fish Type Cuisine
Classic British Fish and Chips Medium 45 min 4 Cod/Haddock British
Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Easy 20 min 2 Salmon Modern
Grilled Sea Bass with Herbs Medium 25 min 2 Sea Bass Mediterranean
Fish Pie with Creamy Mash Medium 60 min 6 Mixed Fish British

Cooking Tips & Techniques

Fish Selection & Storage

Choosing Fresh Fish:

  • Look for clear, bright eyes (not cloudy)
  • Fresh fish should have a mild, ocean-like smell
  • Flesh should be firm and spring back when pressed
  • Gills should be bright red or pink, not brown
  • Scales should be shiny and intact

Storage Tips:

  • Store fish in the coldest part of your refrigerator (0-2°C)
  • Use within 1-2 days of purchase
  • Keep fish wrapped in moisture-proof packaging
  • Freeze fish if not using within 2 days
  • Thaw frozen fish slowly in the refrigerator

Cooking Methods

Pan-Frying: Best for fillets. Use medium-high heat and cook skin-side down first for crispy skin.

Grilling: Perfect for whole fish or thick fillets. Oil the grill and fish to prevent sticking.

Baking: Great for larger fish or fish in sauces. Cook at 180-200°C until flesh flakes easily.

Poaching: Gentle method for delicate fish. Use flavoured liquid (wine, stock, milk) at a gentle simmer.

Steaming: Healthiest method. Preserves nutrients and delicate flavours. Steam for 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness.

Seasoning & Flavours

Classic Combinations:

  • Lemon & Dill: Perfect for salmon and white fish
  • Garlic & Parsley: Great for sea bass and cod
  • Butter & White Wine: Elegant sauce for delicate fish
  • Herbs & Olive Oil: Mediterranean style for grilled fish
  • Spices & Citrus: Bold flavours for stronger fish

Timing: Season fish just before cooking. Salt draws out moisture, so avoid salting too early.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes when cooking fish:

  • Overcooking: Fish cooks quickly - check 2-3 minutes before expected time
  • Moving Too Early: Let fish develop a crust before flipping
  • Wrong Pan Temperature: Too hot = burnt outside, raw inside. Too cold = soggy fish
  • Not Patting Dry: Moisture prevents browning - always pat fish dry
  • Crowding the Pan: Give fish space for even cooking
  • Using Dull Knives: Sharp knives prevent tearing delicate fish

Fish Nutrition Guide

Fish Type Calories (100g) Protein (g) Omega-3 (mg) Health Benefits
Salmon 208 20 2260 Heart health, brain function
Cod 82 18 200 Low fat, high protein
Sea Bass 97 18 670 Lean protein, vitamins
Haddock 74 16 180 Low calorie, minerals
Mackerel 205 19 2670 High omega-3, vitamin D
Health Tip

The NHS recommends eating at least 2 portions of fish per week, including 1 portion of oily fish. Fish is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart and brain health.