When you want to cook fish, it should be handled appropriately to make it pleasant and safe to eat without burning or uneven cooking. If you wonder how to cook different types of fish, then we have listed various kinds of fish and how to cook them below. As a rule, you can cook fish by frying, baking, grilling, deep-fried, and broiling. Different methods of cooking fish produce a different taste.
How to cook different types of fish?
The cooking time of fish differs with fish type, size, and thickness. You should include them in your diet as an excellent protein and omega-3 rich source.
Some ways on how to cook different types of fish are as follows:
Thin fish-White thin fish like sole, tilapia, haddock produce the best flavor results when cooked from frozen.
Thicker fish- The firm and thick fish or fillets such as cod, salmon, and halibut are best cooked after being appropriately thawed. Cooks and chefs recommend not to buy swordfish and tuna frozen to avoid discolored and dry fish.
Fillets-Fish fillets come in varying thicknesses and should be checked for even cooking. Keep a check on thinner fillets as they cook quickly. On a positive note, the fish fillet is the easiest to cook.
Steaming fish- If you steam fish fillets, that will keep them moist, flavorful, and aromatic with herbs or spices.
Grilling or Baking- For a flaky finish and an opaque center, you should cook fish on a grill or by baking. Spices are welcome here.
In all the different fish cooking methods, poke a knife in the thickest section of fish to see if it flakes easily and is opaque all over. Or, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check for the internal temperature to be at least 145 degrees F, or better 158 deg F. When the tip is warm, your fish is cooked all through and ready to be eaten safely.
Let us look at how to cook different types of fish like salmon, tilapia, cod, catfish, Pollock, and Pangasius.
1. How to cook Salmon fish
Salmon fish is abundant in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of protein. It is cooked as a main dish as it is tender with a flaky texture. It has a rich to mild flavor, based on its variety. You can baked, smok, fry, grill, broil, and poach it.
Best for: Grilling, cedar plank cooking, and roasting.
Cooking instructions
- You can broil salmon without burning. This method is best when you want to add a marinade or a glaze to your salmon.
- Pan-frying is best when you want flaky and delicate/tender salmon to eat. It provides a crispy crust.
- Grill salmon by not drying it out for that charred flavor.
- You can use an olive oil coat on both sides to cook salmon. This way, salmon will remain juicy and moist when pan-fried.
- Cook your salmon in a pan on high heat. Cook it for 2 to 3 minutes evenly.
- Do not overcook as it can dry out salmon, making it tough.
Amount to eat per person: The optimum amount that one can eat is 3.5 oz per person per serving. Or, double that. Consider eating it a couple of times a week according to American Heart Association.
On the other hand, like any fish, salmon may contain some mercury or other elements and should not be eaten every day. Of course, you can bake or steam salmon or any other fish we describe in this article.
How long does it take to cook salmon?
For a regular fillet of salmon that is around one and a half thick, it takes around 3-5 minutes on each side. Cook it until it is somewhat charred and cooked through with opaque pink color. If it is thicker, then add in some more minutes.
How do you know salmon is cooked?
The easiest way to find if your salmon is cooked would be to press down gently on the fillet top using a finger or a fork. If the salmon flesh is flaking and separates along the white fat striped lines easily, it is done cooking.
2. How to cook Tilapia fish?
Tilapia fish are mainly warm freshwater fish. They generally are found in temperatures below 60 deg F. They are a rich source of nutrients and proteins. They are mildly sweet when it comes to their flavor while firm and white in their texture. They are identical to catfish. Tilapia fish can be cooked by broiling, baking, frying, grilling, steaming, and poaching.
Best for pan-frying and marinades
Cooking instructions
When you cook tilapia, preheat your oven to about 400 deg C.
- You can season tilapia with pepper and some salt or other seasoning. I prefer sea salt.
- Place it on a baking sheet.
- You can pour your zest over tilapia like lemon juice with red pepper, garlic, and butter.
- Bake tilapia for around 10 to 12 minutes.
- Check if tilapia is tender and cooked all through by testing using a fork.
- If not, then bake for another minute or two.
- If you want to broil tilapia fish, then preheat the broiler and broil till its flesh becomes opaque.
- Preheat to 190 deg F and cook it with seasoning and veggies.
Amount to eat-It iis best to serve 3.5 oz or 100g per person. Or double that.
How long does it take tilapia to cook?
Tilapia takes about 10 to 12 minutes when you cook by baking. In a preheated oven, it will take about 25 to 30 mins to cook tilapia.
How do you know when Talipia is cooked through?
To know if tilapia is cooked through is to check for the opaqueness of its flesh. It should be firm when touched but flake when poked with a fork.
3. How to cook Pangasius fish?
These fish are also referred to as iridescent sharks. They are native to the Mekong River of Southeast Asia. Pangasius is mid to large-sized freshwater catfish. They can be safely cooked by grilling, pan-frying, and baking.
Best for baking and grilling or pan-frying.
Cooking instructions
- You can panfry, broil and grill Pangasius.
- When you take Pangasius fillets, run them under cold water.
- Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper on a baking pan.
- Space them evenly for even cooking.
- You can season the fillet with lemon juice and salt. Add some butter as well.
- Preheat the oven to a temperature of 400 deg F and slide the baking pan in the mid-rack.
- Cook for about 10 minutes.
- The fillet should be firm to touch and opaque in the center.
- Frying in a pan with vegetable oil takes 3-5 minutes for each side.
Amount to eat- An adult can consume 3.4 oz or 100-200 g of pangasius fillet at a time without any harmful effects.
How to know if Pangasius is cooked?
When you bake your Pangasius at 400 deg F for around 8 to 10 minutes, it should be evenly cooked and be firm. If it feels firm when pressed gently and turns opaque in the thickest section or the core of the fish’s flesh, it is done cooking.
How long does it take to cook Pangasius?
Pangasius cooking by baking takes around 10 minutes for one-inch thickness. It may take 3-5 minutes per side when frying. Pieces below half an inch thick may not need cooking on both sides—test for the cooking and its doneness.
Now that you know how to cook three different types of fish, let us continue to the rest.
4. How to cook Codfish?
Cod is a saltwater fish with flaky white meat. It is mild in its taste and can be blended with other fish types often. Cod can be baked, broiled, and pan-fried.
Best for: Stews, tacos, and chowders
Cooking instructions
- Pan-frying is the best option for cooking cod loin or fillet.
- You will get lovely crispy skin with pan-frying.
- Do not overcook the flaky, delicate codfish.
- Coat the pan base with olive oil and keep the flame to medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle the codfish with salt.
- When the pan is hot, place the cod skin side down.
- Lightly coat the base of a non-stick frying pan with olive oil, then place the pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook around 2-3 mins till the skin is crispy and golden. If the skin is not on, the fish should turn golden in color.
- Cautiously flip the codfish and cook for another 2 minutes to 3 minutes, based on its thickness.
- Cook it until the flesh is opaque, and to ensure crispiness, pat dries the fillets with a kitchen roll before seasoning it.
- Do not add in a lot of oil as it can burn the fillets.
- For a very thick cod loin or fillet, cooking skin side down is best and then put in a preheated oven to a temperature of 180 deg C.
- Cook it for about 4 minutes to 6 minutes. Flip and bast the fish for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add butter to keep fish moist.
Amount to eat- An adult can consume a minimum of 0.8 g of protein in a day and up to 8 oz of sea fish in a day. But health professionals do not recomend overeating of sea fish may contain traces of mercury.
How to know if codfish is cooked?
You can know when codfish is cooked by taking a fork and stick it to an angle at the thickest point—test by twisting the fork gently. You can see the codfish flakes easily if it is thoroughly cooked. It will lose its raw or translucent appearance. You can also stick to check for an internal temperature of fish to be around 145 deg F.
How long does codfish take to cook?
Codfish cooks very quickly when placed in a preheated oven to 400 deg F. When your oven is heated before; the cooking time does not take long. It will take around 10 minutes to 12 minutes. The time also depends on the thickness of the codfish. If the oven is preheated to 350 degrees, it can take about 25-30 minutes, while preheating to 375 degrees F will take 13 minutes to 20 minutes. As usual, pan-frying takes 3-5 minutes per side, depending on fish piece thickness.
5. How to cook Catfish fish?
Catfish are usually farm-raised and grown with a high protein diet like corn, soy, and wheat. They grow in the wild waters too and are mild in flavor. Catfish generally are best for baking, deep-frying, and pan-frying.
Best for Deep-frying, baking and pan-frying
Cooking instructions
- Heat butter or oil in a frying pan for pan-frying the catfish.
- Use a cast-iron pan for frying to cook evenly and inside out.
- Add a coat of your favorite zest and pan-fry catfish.
- Let them cook for about 5 to 7 mins on every side.
- Cook it until it gets golden brown and crispy and easily flakes with a fork.
- To cook in an oven, take a pan and repeat the above process with a pan on medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to a temperature of 200 deg F.
- Lay a cookie sheet and wire rack on top of it.
- Soak the catfish in buttermilk or milk, and then add in cornmeal, spices, and flour.
- Then place them over the rack.
- Let them heat in the oven for about 15 minutes.
- You can even shallow fry them in oil.
Amount to eat- Catfish is firm enough to hold onto when frying without burning. You can have up to half of the catfish per individual, depending on the taste and occasion. Of course, it can be more per person if desired.
How to know if catfish is cooked?
Catfish is cooked when it is golden brown in color and flakes easily using a fork. Cook the catfish until it turns opaque. You can also check for an internal temperature to be 145 deg F.
How long do catfish take to cook?
You may have to cook catfish for about 15 minutes or so for it to cook evenly through. If the internal temperature is 180 deg F, then it is cooked. If not, add in a couple of more minutes to cook.
6. How to cook pollock fish?
Pollock fish has firm flesh and white meat. It nicely flakes when cooked. They are great for sauteing, steaming, baking, broiling, poaching, and frying. Pollock are saltwater fish.
Best when you use it for baking, broiling, and frying.
Cooking instructions
- Take your Pollock fish and prepare it by seasoning it properly.
- Place it on an aluminum foil spread on a baking dish.
- Bake your fish for around ten minutes for one inch of thickness of the fish.
- If the fillet is about 1 – ½; an inch in its thickness, bake it for around 5 minutes. Ensure it does not become rubbery.
- The other method is to dip the fillets into a flour mix with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Coat all of them and then heat them in a pan with an inch of oil.
Amount to eat- Pollocks can be eaten about one and a half pounds for each serving.
How do you know Pollock is cooked?
When Pollock turns opaque in color, then it is cooked. It flakes easily using a fork.
How long to cook it?
You can cook Pollock fillets for about 25 to 30 minutes when baked and 15 to 25 minutes when cooked in a preheated oven.
Conclusion
There are different ways on how to cook different types of fish. Different types of fish taste different based on the method of cooking used. How to cook different types of fish methods is based on the fish type, the thickness of the fish, the oil type, and how it is cooked.