How To Choose The Perfect Fillet:
Learning how to pan sear fish starts with learning how to choose the perfect fillet of fish. If you’re lucky and live near the water, we always recommend sourcing fish locally. There’s nothing quite like freshly caught fish! Otherwise, you can head to the fish counter at your local grocery store. Wherever you purchase yours, look for fillets with a mild smell. Fresh is preferable, though frozen and defrosted are very common as well. A strong “fishy” or ocean smell is an indicator that the fish is not fresh, so be on the lookout!
Different Types of Fish Fillets:
Fish comes in all shapes and sizes. It makes sense considering how many different types of fish there are on the market. Thin fillets, like tilapia or sole, will require less cooking time and are more prone to breaking when flipped. Thicker fillets like halibut, sea bass, or cod are much sturdier and will hold together better. Fish steaks like swordfish or salmon require much longer cooking times, about 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness. Choose your preference!
A Note On Frozen Fish:
Fish can be purchased frozen in single filets or larger quantities. Fish should thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or can thaw immersed in cold water only. Once defrosted, fish should be used immediately.
Should I Remove The Skin?
We’re personally huge fans of seared fish with the skin on it. It crackles and crisps up so nicely, and the added bit of fat from the skin can lend a lot of extra flavors. If you choose to cook your fish with the skin on, sear it skin side first. And, if you want to remove skin, make sure to do so carefully with a sharp knife before you get started.
Can I Marinate Pan Seared Fish?
Absolutely! Seared fish is delicious when it’s been marinated. An important point to mention is that you should never marinate fish for longer than 15 minutes. Unlike other proteins like beef or lamb, the acidity of the marinade will break down the fish if you leave it for longer. If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious fish recipes:
Beer Battered Fish And ChipsSimple Grilled SwordfishEasy Lemon Baked Cod FishThai Grilled Fish
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