Best 6 Pan Fried Whitefish Recipes

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Pan-fried whitefish is a classic dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's a simple yet delicious way to cook this mild-flavored fish, and it can be paired with a variety of sides. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, pan-fried whitefish is a great option for a quick and easy meal.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

PAN FRIED FISH



Pan Fried Fish image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 large or two small skin-on fish fillets, about 8 ounces (rainbow trout, small salmon, brown trout)
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
Flour for dredging
2 tablespoon Canola oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons capers, drained
1 lemon, juiced

Steps:

  • Heat a heavy pan over medium high heat.
  • Season fish on meat side with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge fish in flour and shake off excess. When pan is good and hot, add Canola oil followed immediately by 1 tablespoon butter. As soon as foaming subsides, place fish in pan with the skin side down. Jiggle pan for the first 10 seconds to keep the fish from sticking. Cook until golden crust forms on meat. Carefully turn fish away from you and again jiggle pan for the first few seconds. Cook until skin turns golden brown. Remove to a warm plate.
  • Pour out the cooking fat, add remaining butter and quickly fry the capers. Remove pan from the heat, add lemon juice to pan and swirl. Pour sauce over the fish and serve.

PAN-ROASTED FISH FILLETS WITH HERB BUTTER



Pan-Roasted Fish Fillets With Herb Butter image

A blast of heat in a cast-iron pan and a basting of golden butter does wonders for plain fish fillets. This life-changing method is adopted from a former chef and current fishmonger, Mark Usewicz of Mermaid's Garden in Brooklyn, who also teaches cooking classes in topics like "How to Cook Fish in a New York City Apartment." The cooking time is so short that the smell - which, if your fish is fresh and not funky, should not be overpowering - will dissipate quickly. And in the meantime, you have an easy dinner of tender fish with a toothsome crust, anointed with nutty, lemony brown butter and perfumed with herbs. You can use virtually any fish fillet, skin on or off, as long as it is not too thick. If the butter is browning too fast, reduce the heat and add a nut of cold butter to prevent scorching, or squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, lunch, quick, main course

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 5- to 6-ounce fish fillets, like black bass, haddock, fluke, striped bass, tilefish, snapper or salmon, 1/2- to 1-inch thick
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 sprigs fresh thyme, tarragon, chives or another herb
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley, optional
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Pat fillets dry with a paper towel. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a heavy 10-inch nonstick or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Place the fillets in the pan, skin side down (if applicable), laying them down away from your body. If fillets have skin, press down gently with a spatula for about 20 seconds to prevent curling.
  • Lower heat to medium and let sizzle until fish is golden and caramelized around edges, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip fillets and add butter and thyme to pan. Tilt pan slightly to let the melted butter pool at one end. Use a spoon to baste the fish with the pooled butter. Continue basting until golden all over and cooked through, 45 to 90 seconds more, depending on the thickness of your fish. Serve immediately with chopped parsley (if using) and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 461, UnsaturatedFat 25 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 29 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 471 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 1 gram

EASY PAN-FRIED FISH FILLET



Easy Pan-Fried Fish Fillet image

This is a very easy method to make any type of fish fillets. Choose mild-flavored fish - flounder, halibut, cod, catfish, or tilapia are great candidates.

Provided by Anonymous

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Seafood Main Dish Recipes     Halibut

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 (5 ounce) mild white fish fillets
1 lemon, juiced
salt to taste
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Steps:

  • Wash fish fillets under running cold water and dry with a paper towel. Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt on both sides.
  • Combine flour and Chinese five-spice powder in a shallow bowl. Dip fish fillets into the flour mixture so they are covered on both sides.
  • Heat canola and sesame oils in a large skillet over medium heat. Add fish to hot oil and pan-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully turn and continue cooking until fish flakes easily with a fork, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 60.8 mg, Fat 18.6 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 125.9 mg

PAN FRIED WHITEFISH



Pan Fried Whitefish image

Easy to make. Note1: Don't fry at to high of a temp or the coating will burn before the fish cooks. Note2: I like to serve with steamed broccoli and baked potato or wild rice.

Provided by ChasMan

Categories     Whitefish

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 (8 ounce) white fish fillets, skin removed. (trout, tilapia, etc.)
21 saltines (finely crushed)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup parsley
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 -4 tablespoons olive oil
lemon slice

Steps:

  • Combine crackers, parmesan, and parsley in a shallow bowl.
  • Combine flour and pepper in another bowl.
  • Place lemon juice and beaten egg in separate bowls.
  • Heat oil in 12" frying pan.
  • Dip fish in lemon juice, then flour, then egg, and finally the crackers. Place fish in a single layer into the frying pan and fry over low - medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side. Fish should flake when done.
  • Drain on paper towel and serve with lemon slices. Garnish with rosemary, parsley, and dill if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.2, Fat 18.1, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 211.5, Sodium 449.1, Carbohydrate 20.7, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 0.6, Protein 48.5

PAN FRIED WHITE FISH



Pan Fried White Fish image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 12m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 1/4 pounds sea bass fillets, skin on
Coarse salt and cracked black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, to coat fish
2 teaspoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Unwrap fish but leave it on the butcher paper. Season with salt and pepper on flesh side only. Sprinkle generously with flour, and then shake off the excess.
  • In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium high heat until hot but not smoking. Place the fish in the pan skin side down. Cook until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook until the flesh is just cooked through and is no longer translucent, about 3 more minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 213 calorie, Fat 5.3 grams, SaturatedFat 1.1 grams, Carbohydrate 11.6 grams, Fiber 0.42 grams, Protein 27.7 grams

BATTERED BLUE HAKE OR WHITEFISH PAN FRIED



Battered Blue Hake or Whitefish Pan Fried image

Blue Hake is from New Zealand. I cut the loins in chunks and batter. Pan fried is quick, easy and does not require a lot of oil. I love to use paprika in my batter. Everything is a golden brown to deep brown and very light tasting.NOTE: DO NOT FORGET THE WATER IN THE EGGS AND YOU MAY HAVE TO USE MORE MILK IF YOU WANT THE BATTER THINNER BUT IF YOU DO IT MAY NOT COVER THE FISH, IT MAY RUN OFF. DEPENDING ON YOUR ALTITUDE IS DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COOK. If you want more spicy then add caynne pepper to the batter or other peppery spices.

Provided by Montana Heart Song

Categories     Whitefish

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2-2 lbs thick blue hake fillets or 1 1/2-2 lbs white fish fillets
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon mccormick adobo seasoning (without Peppers)
1 teaspoon salt or 1 teaspoon salt substitute
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons milk (MORE MILK MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THINNER BATTER)

Steps:

  • I use 3 long thick pieces of fish. I cut it in 3 inch chunks. Dry the chunks of fish with paper towels. Set Aside.
  • In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs, water, salt and paprika.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, cornstarch and baking powder. Mix well.
  • Add egg mixture and beat in, if too thick, add milk 1 tablspoon at a time. The batter should be thick to hold on to the fish, not runny.
  • Preheat frying pan to medium high heat with 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
  • Use tongs to dip the fish chunks into batter. Use a spoon to place batter on the top of the chunk after it is in the pan.
  • After bottom is golden brown, turn once, press down on top slightly with spatula to insure heat distribution.
  • Fry fish in two separate batches using the balance of vegetable oil for the second batch.
  • Keep warm in the oven until all fish is cooked.
  • The batter is very light tasting, not soaked with oil.
  • Use a dipping sauce of your choice.
  • If you use this batter on thin fillets, use a slotted spoon to dip the fish into batter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610.6, Fat 31.6, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 167.3, Sodium 896.2, Carbohydrate 41, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 0.3, Protein 38.7

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Fish: Pick a mild-flavored whitefish like cod, tilapia, or flounder.
  • Freshness Matters: Use fresh, high-quality fish for the best flavor and texture.
  • Proper Seasoning: Season the fish generously with salt and pepper, and don't forget the herbs and spices.
  • Crispy Skin: Pat the fish dry before cooking to achieve crispy skin.
  • Hot Pan, Gentle Touch: Make sure the pan is hot before adding the fish, but don't overcrowd the pan.
  • Cook in Batches: If cooking multiple fillets, cook them in batches to maintain the pan's temperature.
  • Monitor the Heat: Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning or undercooking.
  • Baste the Fish: Baste the fish with melted butter or oil during cooking to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Perfect Timing: Cook the fish until it flakes easily with a fork, but avoid overcooking to maintain its tenderness.

Conclusion:

Pan-frying whitefish is a simple yet delicious cooking method that highlights the delicate flavor and flaky texture of the fish. With the right ingredients, proper seasoning, and careful cooking techniques, you can create a restaurant-quality whitefish dish at home. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a refreshing salad, and enjoy a satisfying and nutritious meal. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, pan-frying whitefish is a versatile and rewarding recipe that will impress your taste buds.

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