Boiled Fish

This is how to boil fish in broth on the stove is a fast way to get fork tender salmon, cod, tilapia or other fillets. From fresh fillets to cooking frozen fish in broth is is an easy healthy dinner anyone can do.

This is easier than you might think. We have cooked super duper moist fillets or salmon bites this way week after week with success. Cooked right in the broth, your pieces will soak up up the seasonings in just a few minutes.

We explained a bit ago how to cook frozen mussels a bunch of different ways, including boiling in your liquid of choice like this because it is a great way to infuse flavor if you use broth that has been seasoned. For fillets you can really use any variety you choose. We love this vibrant pink fish you see here but others like cod, flounder and catfish work well too.

The thing you want to remember when choosing your variety is that submerged in boiling liquid makes it want to fall apart more than baking or air frying. That is why this type works the best because it is a bit more firm. You can marinate the fish first, or leave as is. I prefer fresh or defrosted but frozen will work.

Boiling fish is a simple and healthy cooking method that can help retain the natural flavors and nutrients of the fish. Whether you want to cook a whole fish or fish fillets, a fish boil recipe is a great option.

Ingredient Notes

Select fresh or defrosted salmon fillets (or other variety) suitable for boiling. Fish varieties such as cod, haddock, sockeye salmon, tilapia, or trout work well for boiling. Ensure that the fish is properly cleaned and scaled, if necessary.

To enhance the taste of the fish, you can start by preparing a flavorful poaching liquid like Instant Pot bone broth. You can use ingredients like water, herbs, spices, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and lemon slices to create a tasty broth. Simmer the broth for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

If you’re not using a separate broth, you can season the boiling water directly. Add ingredients like salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, lemon juice, or other herbs and spices to the water to infuse flavor into the fish.

How long does it take to boil fish?

Boiled whole fish may take 15 – 20 minutes or more. The fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. With that said, How to Fry a Whole Fish is a better texture for this.

There are two ways to do this; Poached fish is cooked for longer in liquid at 140 F to 180 F vs. boiling is faster at 210 F or so. Your choice. A poached boil salmon recipe will yield a bit more flavor.

Tips

You want to gently place the fish into large pot filled with boiling liquid submerged. If you’re using whole fish, you can wrap it in cheesecloth or a cooking mesh to prevent it from falling apart. In the case of how to cook frozen scallops I would put on a metal slotted spoon and lower down to submerge, those only take 3-4 minutes.

Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. You want the liquid to maintain a low simmer throughout the cooking process. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness and type of fish. As a general guideline you cook salmon for about 5-10 minutes

How to Tell When Boiled Fish is Done

Use a fork to gently flake a small section of the fish off. It should easily separate into flakes and appear opaque throughout. If it is still translucent or slightly translucent in the center, continue boiling for a few more minutes.

Carefully lift cooked fish out of the liquid using a slotted spoon or spatula. Be gentle to avoid breaking it apart as it will be very tender. Serve with your favorite sauces, garnishes, lemon wedges, or sides.

How to boil fish is a simple and healthy cooking method that allows the natural flavors of the fish to shine. With just a few ingredients and careful attention to cooking time, you can enjoy a tender and flavorful boiled fish dish.

Boiled Salmon

For this example we are using pink salmon cut into individual portions as you see here. It is very delicate once cooked so I recommend slicing into portions at the beginning as it cooks more evenly this way and serves up quickly this way as well.

I like having a metal slotted spoon to lift it out. Using a fork or tongs can press it together which will flake it into a bunch of little pieces which isn’t ideal at all. GENTLE is the key here. White fish is best using a brine or fish stock. It’s a good idea to cook fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel in a flavored liquid.

You can add a bit of dry white wine like Pinot Grigio for fattier choices too to add a bit of acidity. I will sometimes do that when boiling a whole chicken.

Boiled Cod

White fish will be more delicate, point blank. For that reason you might want to leave the skin on to keep it together better and just peel it off when you’re ready to eat. If you want it to cook really fast I would opt for making fish nuggets which are pretty great for kids since they are already bite sized. You just;

Bite size pieces will be closer to 2 minutes or so depending on their size. To check either one use a slotted spoon to lift it out. Use a fork to cut off one end to see if it is still translucent at all. If so lower it back down for another minute and check again.