What Is Whitefish and How Can I Use It?
Wondering what to do with whitefish? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it — with 20 recipes to put it to work.
What is whitefish?
A whitefish is a broad term that refers to a category of fish that generally live near the bottom of water sources, such a lakes, oceans, ponds, and aquariums.
They are equipped to comfortably reside in close proximity to loose sand and debris. Due to being located near the bottom of water sources near sand, members of this fish category generally have a dry and flaky texture to their flesh when they are cooked and consumed, especially compared to fish who reside closer to the surface of the water and tend to have an oilier texture. Some common types of whitefish are cod, pollock, and halibut.
When whitefish is caught by fisherman and packaged and sold for food, its proximity to the bottom of the water source provides its distinctive texture once it is cooked. The fish has a drier texture, which adds firmness and allows the fish to maintain its shape while it cooks.
Fish that live closer to the surface of water sources have an oil content that can make it too delicate to withstand high temperatures during cooking. The firm texture of whitefish makes it able to hold up during many cooking methods, especially deep frying in hot oil.
Where found
Whitefish is usually found in the salad dressings section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
| In Chinese: | 白鱼 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | poisson blanc | |
| en español: | pescado blanco |
Recipes using whitefish
There are 20 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Basic Fish Mousse
It may be a basic way to make this fish mousse, but the flavor was definitely very sophisticated. Light, silken-smooth with the creamy and rich Hollandaise sauce that Sean made from the scratch, it was an ultimate enjoyment!
Curried Oysters with Banana Salsa
Grilled oysters on the half shell drenched in a rich curry cream sauce made with homemade fish fumet, topped with a tropical red banana salsa spiked with serrano chiles, tamarind, and fresh mint. A showstopper.
Cioppinio
San Francisco-style seafood stew loaded with shrimp, clams, crab, and whitefish simmered in a garlicky tomato-wine broth. A homemade shellfish stock from the shrimp shells builds deep, briny flavor.
Salmon Pate
Baked salmon and whitefish pâté with cream, eggs, wine-softened onions, coriander, and nutmeg. A classic French-style terrine cooked in a water bath and served cold with toast or crackers.
Spicy Stir Fried Fish
Spicy stir-fried whitefish in a wok with dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, red pepper flakes, tomato sauce, rice wine, and soy sauce. A Sichuan-inspired fish dish with serious heat and a glossy, clingy sauce.
Salmon Pate #2
Salmon pate made with fresh salmon, whitefish, white wine, cream, and warm spices, baked in a water bath until silky smooth. An elegant make-ahead appetizer for crackers or toast.
Fish Baked in Coconut Chutney
Baked white fish topped with a fresh coconut chutney made from cilantro, mint, jalapeño, cumin, and lime. A vibrant Indian-inspired weeknight dinner ready in 40 minutes.
Spicy Garlic Fish Fry
Indian-style deep-fried whitefish marinated in a garlic, cumin, coriander, and star anise paste with lemon juice. Crispy, golden, and packed with warm spice.
Whitefish with Leek Risotto
Oven-baked risotto cooked in clam juice with anchovies and herbs, topped with flaky whitefish and silky leeks, then drizzled with a lemony Dijon vinaigrette. No stirring required.
Easy Fish Bisque
Easy fish bisque built on canned cream of cheddar and tomato bisque soups, then simmered with milk, dry sherry, dill and flaky whitefish. A creamy seafood soup ready in under 10 minutes.
Blaff
Blaff: traditional French Caribbean poached whitefish in a spicy broth of lime, allspice, thyme, garlic, and chili. A Martinique and Guadeloupe specialty for seafood lovers.
Barbecued Skewers of Fish
Indian-style barbecued fish skewers marinated in a spiced yogurt paste with garam masala, coriander, ginger, garlic, and cayenne. A tandoori-inspired grilled fish kebab.
Barbecued Fish
Barbecued Fish uses a strained BBQ syrup of apple cider vinegar, dry mustard, and cloves to marinate firm white fish before grilling. A clean, concentrated glaze for red snapper or halibut.
Coriander Fish (Bharia Machli)
Whole whitefish stuffed with a fiery coriander, ginger, and chili masala paste, baked until tender and finished under the broiler. Bharia Machli brings bold Indian spice to your dinner table.
Portuguese Fisherman's Stew
Portuguese fisherman's stew with white beans, whitefish, stewed tomatoes, and thyme. The fish poaches separately in lemon water to stay tender, then joins the hearty bean broth.
Sole in Wine
Sole fillets baked in Sauterne wine with whole mushrooms, then glazed with a reduced wine and egg yolk cream sauce. A classic French fish dish with elegant simplicity.
Whitefish Baked with Fiddlehead Ferns
Tender whitefish fillets baked in white wine and Dijon mustard, topped with earthy fiddlehead ferns and finished with a swirl of butter. Spring on a plate in just 25 minutes.
McDonalds Filet-O-Fish®
Make it better than McDonalds and do it yourself with this Filet O Fish recipe.
Russian Pickled Whitefish
Russian pickled whitefish briefly baked in a white wine, vinegar, and dill brine with coriander and mustard. Served cold as a tangy, elegant chilled fish dish.
Seafood Sausage
Homemade seafood sausage made with whitefish, salmon, and shrimp, seasoned with parsley and cayenne. Poached then grilled for a crispy skin and tender, briny bite.
