The Temperature & Method For Baking Fresh Fish (2024)

Baked fish is a quick and easy dinner option. The downside of baking fish is that it can dry out quickly. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a master chef to learn how to bake a tender, delicious seafood dinner. Follow these recommended cooking temperatures and baking times the next time you make fish.

Baking Temperatures for Fish

Chefs recommend baking fish at between 350° Fahrenheit and 450° Fahrenheit. The best temperature to bake fish depends on the cut of fish.

The Temperature & Method For Baking Fresh Fish (1)450° F = Whole Fish, Fish Steaks & Fillets

If you arebaking a whole fishthat’s been scaled and gutted but has the head and tail attached, cook it at 450° F. Fish steaks and fillets should also be baked at 450° F.

Fish steaks are thick, crosscut slices of a large fish such as halibut, mako shark, tuna, salmon, or swordfish.

Fish fillets are lengthwise, boneless cuts of fish that may or may not be skinned. You can find fillets of large fish like salmon as well as smaller sized fish like cod and tilapia.

350° F = Pan-dressed Fish

Pan-dressed fish is a whole fish that’s had the head, tail, gills, fins, scales, and organs removed. If you are cooking a pan-dressed fish, the best cooking temperature is 350° F.

Baking Times for Fish

Figuring out the best baking time for fresh fish requires a clean ruler and a little math. Chefs recommend following the10-minute rule. According to this rule, you should bake fresh fish for 10-minutes per inch of thickness. Chefs agree that following this rule is the simplest way to ensure you don’t overcook fish.

Follow these three simple steps to calculate the best bake time:

  1. Using a clean ruler, measure the thickest part of the fish. If you are making a rolled fish or stuffed fish recipe, wait to measure it until you’ve filled it.
  2. Convert the measurement to a fraction (example: 1/2 inch equals 0.5).
  3. Multiple the fraction by 10 (example: 0.5 times 10 equals 5).

The answer to the equation is the ideal baking time for the fish you are cooking. For example, if you are making fish fillets that are ½ inch thick, the ideal baking time will be 5 minutes. Since fish can fall apart easily, you should only flip it once, halfway through baking.

Exceptions to the 10-Minute Rule

There are two exceptions to the ten-minute rule: frozen fish and whole fish baked in foil.

Bake Time for Frozen Fish

It is typically best to defrost fish overnight in the refrigerator or under cool running water before cooking it. You can still follow the 10-minute rule if you have defrosted frozen fish. However, if you bake fish when it’s frozen, it will take longer to cook. We only recommend this when baking ready-made frozen fish that’s seasoned or breaded. In that case, it’s best to follow the instructions on the package.

The Temperature & Method For Baking Fresh Fish (2)Bake Time for Whole Fish in Foil

Whole fish baked in foil will also take longer than 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Typically, it will require about 15 minutes per pound plus an additional 15 minutes. For example, if you are baking a 1 pound fish in foil, it would take about 30 minutes.

For an incredible selection of fresh fish for five generations, stop by our location off Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, Connecticut, to find out why we are known as the best Fresh Fish market in Southern New England.

The Temperature & Method For Baking Fresh Fish (2024)

FAQs

The Temperature & Method For Baking Fresh Fish? ›

When baking fish in the oven, it's done when its fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). This is usually achieved at an oven setting of around 350°F (175°C).

What is the temperature for baking fish? ›

When baking fish in the oven, it's done when its fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). This is usually achieved at an oven setting of around 350°F (175°C).

What is the rule for baking fish? ›

Chefs recommend following the 10-minute rule. According to this rule, you should bake fresh fish for 10-minutes per inch of thickness. Chefs agree that following this rule is the simplest way to ensure you don't overcook fish.

What cooking method is best for fish? ›

Baking or Roasting

Roasting is best for whole fish or very large fillets or steaks. Your fish will also get done more quickly when roasting. Bake or roast on a baking sheet or in a baking pan that has been coated with non-stick spray.

How long should fresh fish be cooked? ›

The rule 10-Minute Rule or Canadian Cooking Method is simple: cook fish for 10-minutes per inch of thickness. Then, flip the fish only once, halfway through the cooking time. Whether you plan to follow a recipe or not, start by measure the thickest part of the fish with a clean ruler.

How long should a fish be in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

Breaded and coated fish usually is cooked without being covered, but fillets and whole fish are covered for tender results. How long to cook fish in the oven at 400 degrees? About 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the fish.

How long and what temperature do you bake whole fish? ›

Preheat oven to 450 F (yes, it's better to bake on high heat) for about 30 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature of fish needs to be 145 F to be fully cooked, in case you decide to measure. Transfer to a serving plate. Squeeze with extra fresh lemon juice.

What is the secret to cooking fish? ›

Use gentle heat even on a grill.

Whether you are pan searing it or grilling it, use a lower heat than you would with other meat. If you are planning to grill it, consider wrapping it in foil to keep in the moisture and ensure it doesn't absorb too much of the charcoal taste.

What is the healthiest way to cook fish? ›

Overall, the healthiest cooking methods limit the loss of healthy omega-3 fats, retain the most nutrients and minimize the formation of harmful compounds. In general, this means that sous vide, microwaving, baking, steaming and poaching your fish are your best bets.

Is fish better in the pan or oven? ›

It is also worth noting that while baking is the better option over deep-frying or pan-frying, steaming and poaching are even better than baking in terms of locking in nutrients.

Should you rinse fresh fish before cooking? ›

Washing raw fish carries the same risks as washing poultry — by attempting to clean your seafood in the sink, you're actually spreading harmful bacteria to surfaces that likely won't be sanitized by heat or disinfectants before they come into contact with other food, according to Reader's Digest.

Do you have to flip fish in the oven? ›

Because white fish is delicate and cooks quickly, flipping isn't necessary when baking. When cooking fish in a skillet, you usually do flip the fish, so it cooks evenly.

What is the best temperature for fresh fish? ›

The USDA recommends cooking fish in general to 145ºF/63ºC, to kill harmful bacteria, but some chefs recommend cooking certain types of seafood a little below this to keep it moist.

Do you cover fish when baking? ›

How long to bake: For fillets and steaks, use a ruler to measure the thickness of the fish before cooking, then bake, uncovered, in the preheated 450°F oven 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness of fish.

Does fish have to be cooked to 165? ›

4. Fish: cook to an internal temperature of 145˚F (63˚C) for fifteen seconds. 5. Eggs for immediate service: cook to an internal temperature of 145˚F (63˚C) for fifteen seconds.

Can you cook fish at 300 degrees? ›

The general rule of thumb for slow-roasting fish is to cook at 300° for 20–30 minutes. When cooking at this low temperature, sometimes the fish will remain a bit translucent and trick you into thinking it's undercooked—it's probably not.

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