12 best quick & healthy fish recipes | Jamie Oliver (2024)

Fish is such a versatile ingredient and it’s good for you, too, so get more of it into your midweek meals with our quick and easy recipes.

Whether you’re trying to get more fish into your diet, or looking for new ways to cook it, we’ve got your back with plenty of inspiration for quick and nutritious fish recipes. We should all be aiming for two portions a week, with at least one being oily (think salmon, sardines, mackerel). And don’t forget that the tinned variety can be just as good as fresh, is great to have on hand for last-minute meals, and is easier on the wallet too.

Fish is so good for us — it’s a fantastic source of protein and typically low in fat. As an added bonus it’s also quick to cook, so is an ideal centrepiece for a speedy and healthy midweek meal. Shredded in tacos, stirred through pasta or heroed in salads and stews… there are so many tasty ways to get those nutrients. Just try to buy your fish from sustainable sources whenever possible.

Crispy salmon tacos

You can’t go wrong with this flaky Cajun-spiced salmon paired with a rainbow salsa of juicy tomatoes, soft mango, creamy avocado and zingy lime. Swap in strawberries, pineapple or grapes to mix it up. And if you have the time for an extra special touch, check out the tips on how to make your own tortillas.

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Soy-baked trout

Baking trout with spring onions, fresh ginger and soy is so simple, yet really packs a flavour-packed punch. This aromatic fish dish is so good served with rice or noodles and steamed greens, and it’s on the table in under 20 minutes — a total winner!

Transport yourself to sunnier climes with this easy pasta dish. Heroing tinned tuna, it beautifully combines sweet mixed-colour cherry tomatoes and crispy capers with the soft fish. This five-ingredient recipe is a real stunner.

One-pan fabulous fish

Fluffy rice, perfectly steamed white fish and juicy cherry tomatoes are taken up a notch with the addition of green olive tapenade. Not only that, but this dish is all cooked in one-pan, meaning maximum flavour with minimal washing up!

Smoky chorizo salmon

Wonderfully simple to whip up, this is the kind of dish you can easily commit to memory. And as it’s on the table in under 20 minutes, you’ll be making this dish on the regular. The bold, smoky flavours are delicious, and the dressed tomatoes add an extra punch.

Miso-seared tuna, cooked until golden on the outside but blushing in the middle, with crunchy green veg, is a real treat for the taste buds. Complete with a coating of nutty sesame seeds, this vibrant, five-ingredient dish is great on its own, or served with fluffy rice.

Thai-style crispy sea bass

Cooking a whole fish is easier and quicker than you might think. This sea bass dish is cooked in 10 minutes and, rubbed with Thai red curry paste and stuffed with herbs, it couldn’t be tastier. Grate over a little lime zest and serve with lime halves for a beautiful zing.

Quick fishcake

Fishcakes are a real family favourite, and this one couldn’t be easier to rustle up. Jamie heroes tinned tuna here, which is a great source of protein and vitamin B12. And when paired with the crunchy slaw, it’ll give you two of your 5-a-day. Result!

Trout fish finger baps

Switching cod for trout in this classic dish is a great way to try something new. Plus, trout is good for you — it’s packed with omega 3 and vitamin D. It’s so easy to make the homemade tartare sauce and really takes the dish up a notch — trust us, you won’t go back!

Quickest white fish tagine

Beautiful harissa-spiced flaky fish is the star of the show here, although this dish celebrates some amazing veggies, too — sweet cherry tomatoes and vibrant asparagus also come into their own. All cooked in one pan, this is next-level food. Love it!

Mighty mackerel

Mackerel is such an underrated ingredient. Here it’s fried with garlic and herbs for fish that’s beautifully crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s so good with a salad of nutty quinoa and juicy mixed tomatoes, and it’s on the table in 15 minutes.

Fish in a bag

By creating a foil parcel, you not only steam the fish beautifully, but also cook in the wonderful flavours of the lemon, olives and chunky fennel. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a flavour-packed, satisfying meal. Treat this recipe as a principle, swapping in your favourite fish and flavourings.

Looking for more recipe inspiration? Our fish recipes will provide plenty of ideas

12 best quick & healthy fish recipes | Jamie Oliver (2024)

FAQs

12 best quick & healthy fish recipes | Jamie Oliver? ›

To reduce exposure to contaminants, remove the fish skin and visible fat before cooking. Grill, broil, or bake the fish. Let the fat drip off during cooking. Avoid using the fat for gravy or sauces.

What is the best and healthiest way to cook fish? ›

To reduce exposure to contaminants, remove the fish skin and visible fat before cooking. Grill, broil, or bake the fish. Let the fat drip off during cooking. Avoid using the fat for gravy or sauces.

How do you make Jamie Oliver fish batter? ›

Whisk the flour, beer and baking powder together until nice and shiny – the texture should be like semi-whipped double cream (i.e. it should stick to whatever you're coating). Dust each fish fillet in a little of the extra flour, then dip into the batter and allow any excess to drip off.

What is the best way to cook fish when on a diet? ›

5 Healthiest Ways to Cook Fish at Home
  1. Grilling.
  2. Poaching.
  3. Roasting or Baking.
  4. Air Frying.
  5. En Papillote (In paper)
Jan 29, 2024

How to cook fish simply? ›

For direct heat method, cook fish 4 to 6 minutes per side (per inch of thickness) over medium to medium-high heat or until done. For indirect heat method, place fish on grate over cool side of grill and cook 15 minutes with lid closed. Or sear fish on grate over heat, then move to cool side of grill to finish cooking.

What is the number one healthiest fish to eat? ›

7 Healthiest Fish to Eat, According to Experts
  1. Sardines. “Sardines are one of the healthiest fish to eat because they're very high in omega-3s,” says Gomer. ...
  2. Mackerel. Mackerel is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, says Sauceda. ...
  3. Anchovies. ...
  4. Salmon. ...
  5. Herring. ...
  6. Trout. ...
  7. Tuna.
Mar 28, 2024

Is pan frying fish in olive oil healthy? ›

Olive oil is one healthy option. Summary: Frying can increase the amount of fat in your fish and negatively affect its ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. If you're frying, pan-fry rather than deep-fry your fish, and use a healthy oil like olive oil.

Why do people soak fish in milk before frying? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

Why put fish in milk before frying? ›

milk will remove some of the fishy taste and smell of old fish. If flesh of fish is firm and shiny it is good to cook. Soaking in milk for about 30 mins is to remove the odour.

Why put flour on fish before frying? ›

Don't skip the flour coating since it provides a delicious crispy texture, protects the fish from soaking up too much oil, and also keeps the fillet in one piece.

What is the best fish for weight loss? ›

Best: Lean Fish

For example, low-fat fish like tilapia, cod, flounder, and sole have fewer than 120 calories in a 3-ounce serving and give you plenty of protein. If you don't like fish but want to get more seafood into your diet, tilapia and cod can be a good starting point. Neither has much of a fishy taste.

Is it better to bake or pan fry fish? ›

Baking fish is a great way to keep the important nutrients intact without upping the fat content to unhealthy levels. The key to baking fish in a healthy way is to use minimal oil and if you do add oil to the cooking process, make sure it is a heart-healthy one such as olive oil.

Will I lose weight if I only eat fish? ›

Absolutely. The good news about fish, shellfish, and crustaceans is that they're low in calories but high in those healthy fats and lean proteins. Protein-rich foods can keep you feeling full and help regulate blood sugar — meaning you won't be craving extra calories.

What not to do when cooking fish? ›

7 Common Fish-Cooking Mistakes (and How To Avoid Committing Fish Faux Pas)
  1. Starting With Sub-Par Seafood. Fish cooking solution: To cook great fish you need to start with quality fish. ...
  2. The Surface is Soggy. ...
  3. Seasoning Too Soon. ...
  4. Your Heat is Too Low. ...
  5. Cooking Skin-Side Up. ...
  6. Flipping it Multiple Times. ...
  7. Cooking Too Long.
Apr 29, 2021

How to cook good frozen fish? ›

Best Ways to Cook Fish From Frozen
  1. Preheat: Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Prepare: Arrange fish on a baking sheet, then cover the dish with foil.
  3. Steam: Cook for 15 minutes, then remove foil. ...
  4. Bake: Cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, aiming for a flaky tenderness.
Feb 23, 2024

Is it healthier to bake or pan fry fish? ›

Baking fish is a great way to keep the important nutrients intact without upping the fat content to unhealthy levels. The key to baking fish in a healthy way is to use minimal oil and if you do add oil to the cooking process, make sure it is a heart-healthy one such as olive oil.

Is it healthier to grill or bake fish? ›

The healthiest cooking method is the one that retains the greatest amount of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins because both can be lost in the cooking process. To retain these nutrients, you will ideally want to bake or steam your fish.

Would it be healthier to have fried fish or grilled? ›

Grilling drains excess fats from cooked foods while pan-frying boosts grease and fats since you've used oils for cooking. Grilling vs. pan-frying is another crossroads food lovers often come to; however, it's crucial to know that grilling helps maximize the healthiness of what you're about to devour.

Which is healthier grilled or fried fish? ›

Protein and fat contents of cooked Anchovy by grilling and frying were 25.55%, 17.51% and 24.44%, 23.30%, respectively [2]. The highest protein, the lowest fat and energy contents were found in the grilled fish, therefore grilling can be recommended as the best cooking method for healthy diet [2].

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