How to Bake Fish

If you want to make a quick and healthy meal that will warm you up, baked fish is a great choice. You can let the oven most of the work to make a delicious meal in just 30 minutes, or less.

Choosing the Right Fish

When you are baking fish in the oven, you want to choose a heartier fish like cod, salmon, artic char or striped bass. We recommend buying center-cut fillets because they have a more uniform thickness which will help it to cook evenly.

Make sure to do the smell check for freshness when you pick it up from your local grocery or fishmonger. The fish should smell salty, like the ocean, not rancid or overly “fishy.” When you press down on the meat, it should quickly bounce back.

Prepping the Fish Fillets

Run cool water over the fillets and then pat dry with paper towels. Brush the fillets with olive oil or melted butter. You could also brush it with a glaze or pesto to add extra flavor. Or season the fillets with fresh herbs and seasonings. Chives, parsley and dill pair well together. Lemon, garlic and freshly ground pepper are also great flavors together. Along with these aromatics, lightly dust the fillets with salt and pepper.

If the fillet tappers to a narrow thickness on one end, it is a good idea to tuck it under when you place it on a baking sheet or pan. This will help it to stay tender and moist as it cooks by creating a more even thickness.

You can lay the fish on top of a bed of vegetables like bell peppers or potatoes or flat on the pan.

Baking Fish Fillets

To make tender, slow-roasted fish, preheat the oven to 300°. Cook for 20-30 minutes or until the fillets flake easily when you press on them with a fork. The fillets may still look slightly translucent because of the low heat but you can trust that they are done if the meat flakes.

If you would like to make crispier roasted fish, preheat the oven to 450°. Cook for 6-9 minutes per 8 ounces of fish. Be sure to check it at the earliest time. You will know it is done when the fish is opaque and easily flakes.

Don’t forget the sides

When you make fish, you cannot forget about the sides. Baked fish is great with pilaf and a salad. Or serve it with roasted fingerling potatoes and roasted bell peppers.

After you’ve pulled the fish out of the oven and plated it with a generous spoonful of vegetables and grains, add a slide of lemon for a final touch of citrus.

We hope that these instructions help you make picture perfect baked fish at home. If you want to learn more about cooking fish, check out more of our blog! You can stop by City Fish Market to get the best fish steaks or fillets to bake at home.