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

FAQs

What is the best fish for broiling? ›

Turning is not necessary. Baste occasionally by spooning stock over the fish. Try Poached Halibut with Ginger and Cilantro opens in a new tab. Grilling: Place steaks or fillets on an oiled grill over medium-hot coals.

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.

Place the fish skin-side up on the pan. Baste the seafood with melted butter, wine or fish stock to prevent it from drying out. Check the seafood every 2 to 2 ½ minutes as it broils to prevent it from overcooking.

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.

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.

Too Much Cooking Oil. Food marinated or drizzled with cooking oil can catch fire under the broiler's intense direct heat. To avoid the risk (not to mention, ruining dinner), cook the dish on a lower rack and cover it with tin foil to keep oil splatters contained. Or, consider baking it instead.

The normal practice is to leave the oven door slightly ajar. This allows heat to escape and forces the broil element to stay on rather than cycling off and on. Open door broiling is good for when you are broiling for short periods of time, like cooking thinner meats, top browning or searing meat.

Baking Temperatures for Fish

Chefs recommend baking fish at between 350° Fahrenheit and 450° Fahrenheit. The best temperature to bake fish depends on the cut of fish.

Some ovens will have one broil option, which is typically 500°F to 550°F, while others will let you select between low, med and high or even key in the temperature yourself. Low is usually 400°F, medium 450°F and high ranges from 500°F to 550°F.

Do you need to flip fish in the oven? ›

The second part of the Rule—only flipping the fish once—is as important as the cooking time. Since fish is more delicate than other meats, it can fall apart if you turn it frequently. Another benefit of only turning it once is that you will get a nice sear, resulting in fish that is mouthwateringly delicious!

All fish should be brushed lightly with butter or oil before being placed on the grill or under the broiler. The butter or oil prevents sticking and helps leaner fish retain moisture. For most fish, a simple seasoning of salt and pepper suffices.

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.

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.

Best Foods for Broiling

Also, because broiling is a dry-heat method of cooking, you'll want to use tender beef cuts or steaks, including ribeye, tenderloin, top loin, top sirloin, tri-tip (bottom sirloin), flank, porterhouse, rib, and T-bone. Ground meat patties are also suitable for broiling.

Salmon (Atlantic and Pacific) – Rich, buttery flavor and a tender texture. Sardines – Full, oily flavor and a tender texture. Tilapia – Mild and sweet flavor with a medium to firm texture.