How to Cook A Whole Fish at Home

Written by PJ Lobster House on . Posted in Blog, Fish Market.

You may be under the impression that you have to be a professional chef to be able to cook a whole fish. This isn’t the case. If you like to cook for fun, you can prepare a whole fish at home. Read on to learn how.

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There are three different ways to prepare a fish: grilled, roasted, and streamed. You can pick your preparation method based on your tastes and what you have available to you.

Be sure to add flavor to your fish before cooking. You can prepare a whole fish with the seasonings you already have in your cabinet and the foods you already have in your pantry. You want to stuff the cavity of the fish with slices of citrus, fresh herbs, and aromatic vegetables. Don’t forget the olive oil, pepper, and salt. If you don’t want to stuff the cavity, you can marinate the fish with olive oil, citrus juice, chopped chile peppers, and chopped garlic and ginger.

If you choose to grill your whole fish, brush the skin with olive oil and grill over medium-high heat. Flip the fish gently once it is seared. You will know the fish is done when the eyes and flesh are opaque.

You can steam a fish in a steamer basket in a stockpot, a wok with a lid, or an oven-safe casserole dish with a rack that fits the size of the fish. To steam your fish, add just enough water to reach below the rack or basket without touching it. Bring this water to a boil or heat it in the oven at 400 degrees. Add the seasoned fish and cover with a lid or foil until the internal temperature of the fish is 145 degrees.

Roasting is the most accessible option for those without a grill, stockpot, or wok. Smaller and more delicate fish are ideal for roasting because this cooking method really brings out their flavors. Roast a fish on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish at 425 to 450 degrees in your oven. The fish is ready when it flakes easily with a fork.

You can purchase the whole fish at PJ Lobster House. Visit our fish market to find a wide variety of fresh and flavorful fish to choose from. For more information about what we have to offer, call us at 631-473-1143 today!