20 Best White Fish Recipes

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
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Updated on 02/17/21
Ginger soy steamed fish recipe

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

White fish are crowd-pleasing with a tender, but meaty texture and mild taste that makes them well suited to a wide variety of preparations. While the name "white fish" is commonly applied to a long list of species that fit this description, there is technically a fisheries class called whitefish that specifically includes haddock, pollock, Atlantic cod, and whiting. However, when a standard recipe calls for white fish, it's typically referring to any white-fleshed fish.

Cod, flounder, tilapia, catfish, whiting, halibut, and haddock are all white meat fish and can easily be found in the freezer aisle, seafood aisle, or at a fishmonger. They are a naturally low-fat main dish option and cook up quickly and easily. Look for the freshest fish possible or opt for high-quality frozen fish, defrosting for several hours, or overnight in the fridge, before use. If you're consuming fish regularly, familiarize yourself with mercury levels in different types of fish.

  • 01 of 20

    Cornflake-Crusted Baked Cod

    Baked cod with cornflake crust

    The Spruce

    Topped with a simple mixture of mustard and buttery cornflakes, this baked cod is a super quick main dish. It has the crispy texture of fried fish without all of the fat and mess.

  • 02 of 20

    Creamy Fish Chowder

    Creamy fish chowder

    The Spruce 

    Haddock and cod are both great choices for this easy, creamy fish chowder. The tender potatoes and thickened milk base help make this soup extra creamy. Feel free to use defrosted frozen fish.

  • 03 of 20

    Moroccan Fried Whiting Fish

    Moroccan fried whiting fish

    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

    Purchase already gutted and cleaned whole hake or whiting from the fish counter for a delicious and easy meal. Fried until crisp, this Moroccan fish is seasoned with a fragrant spice blend.

  • 04 of 20

    Thai Fish Curry

    Thai fish curry

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    You can use any kind of white fish you like for this flavorful Thai fish curry. With a coconut milk sauce featuring ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and lots of spices, it's a full meal when served with rice.

    Continue to 5 of 20 below.
  • 05 of 20

    Classic Southern-Fried Catfish

    Classic southern-fried catfish

    The Spruce / Katarina Zunc

    It's hard to beat crispy fried catfish. Dipped in buttermilk and coated in a cornmeal breading, the fish cooks in just minutes. Serve with slices of lemon and tartar sauce for dipping.

  • 06 of 20

    Broiled Tilapia Fillets With Lemon and Butter

    Broiled tilapia with lemon and butter

    The Spruce / Anfisa Strizh

    Even with a few minutes of marinating in a mixture of lemon juice, soy sauce, and butter, these tilapia fillets are ready in about 30 minutes. As they marinate, steam some rice and prep some asparagus for a weeknight meal.

  • 07 of 20

    Baked Flounder With Lemon and Butter

    Baked flounder with lemon and butter

    ​The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Baked flounder is a simple but tasty way to cook fish, and it goes well with a range of vegetable and grain sides. The recipe includes an optional aioli that pairs nicely with any type of white fish.

  • 08 of 20

    Easy Provençal Fish

    Easy Provençal fish

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Provençal fish is a rustic dish from southern France with lots of flavor. Cooked in a tomato sauce with sautéed peppers, onions, and olives, the cod is perfectly tender.

    Continue to 9 of 20 below.
  • 09 of 20

    Chinese Ginger-Soy Steamed Fish

    Chinese ginger-soy steamed fish

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Gently steamed in a soy, ginger, and garlic sauce, Chinese steamed fish is a low-fat but flavorsome way to enjoy fillets. Halibut is a good choice since it will hold its shape better than some white fish fillets.

  • 10 of 20

    Easy Fried Fish Fillets

    Fried fish fillets

    The Spruce

    Toss some fish fillets in a spiced flour mixture and pan-fry them for a lightning-fast fish that's sure to be a family favorite. Serve fried fish fillets with tartar sauce and, for a real treat, french fries.

  • 11 of 20

    Blackened Tilapia

    Blackened tilapia

     The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    A vibrant spice mixture of paprika, garlic, pepper, cayenne, and herbs makes for less-than-ordinary fish. Make extra seasoning mix to save a few minutes next time you make blackened tilapia.

  • 12 of 20

    Healthy Baked Lemon Garlic Cod

    Baked lemon garlic cod

     The Spruce

    Baked in a lemon, garlic, and herb mixture, this baked cod is healthy and satisfying. For a complete meal, serve with roasted potatoes or a whole grain and a green vegetable like bok choy.

    Continue to 13 of 20 below.
  • 13 of 20

    Easy British Fish Pie

    Easy British fish pie

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    You can use a mixture of chopped fish for a hearty British fish pie. The filling is deliciously creamy and topped with a mound of mashed potatoes before being baked until bubbly.

  • 14 of 20

    Baked Stuffed Cod or Haddock

    Baked stuffed cod

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Impress your dinner guests with stuffed cod or haddock served over potatoes with bacon. Buy the fish already cleaned, scaled, and prepared to save time and effort.

  • 15 of 20

    Easy Thai Grilled Fish Fillets

    Easy Thai grilled fish fillets

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

    White fish is also delicious when grilled. Make sure your grill is squeaky clean, and the grates are well-oiled before cooking these Thai fish fillets. The marinade can be boiled and also used as a sauce.

  • 16 of 20

    Meen Kulambu: South Indian Fish Curry

    South Indian fish curry

    The Spruce

    This South Indian fish curry features strong but balanced flavors from tamarind, chile pepper, curry leaves, and a variety of spices. Cod or halibut work well for this dish. Serve with freshly steamed rice.

    Continue to 17 of 20 below.
  • 17 of 20

    Panko-Crusted Oven Fried Haddock

    Panko-crusted oven-fried haddock

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Panko breadcrumbs add delicious crunch to oven-fried haddock without all of the oil. Kids will love this crispy fish that is similar in flavor and texture to fish sticks.

  • 18 of 20

    Slow Cooker Fish Chowder

    Crock pot fish chowder

    ​The Spruce

    Use any type of frozen and thawed white fish fillets for this easy slow cooker chowder. Bacon adds salty goodness, and evaporated milk makes the soup creamy.

  • 19 of 20

    Baked Flounder With Crabmeat Topping

    Baked stuffed flounder with crabmeat topping

    The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

    For something special, top flounder fillets with a spiced crabmeat mixture and bake. Mayonnaise is added at the end of baking, lending the dish a bit of richness. Baked flounder is fancy enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a family meal.

  • 20 of 20

    Grilled Onion-Butter Cod

    Grilled onion-butter cod

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Grilled cod has a wonderful smoky flavor that pairs nicely with a simple onion and butter sauce. Baste the fish while it cooks to add flavor and keep it moist.