16 Recipes That Start With Frozen Fish

Instant Pot® Honey-Mustard Salmon from Frozen
Photo: Diana Moutsopoulos

Shop for frozen fish now, and Future You will really appreciate the convenience of having fish on hand, ready to cook when you are. Frozen fish maintains the delicate flavor of a fresh fillet — just transfer it from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan to prepare it (or even the morning of) so that it can thaw, and pat it dry with a paper towel before you cook it. Not convinced? We've reeled in our best recipes that call for frozen fish, plus top-rated fish dishes our reviewers have cooked with frozen fillets.

01 of 16

Really Easy Chowder

Really Easy Chowder
Annalise Benoit

Frozen cod, a can of diced tomatoes, celery, and dried herbs are all you need to make this comforting, convenient dinner. Reviewers recommend adding other veggies like zucchini, chopped onion, or whatever you have on hand.

02 of 16

Fresh Herbed Halibut

Fresh Herbed Halibut
naples34102

"I used frozen halibut and cooked it according to the package instructions," says reviewer csoltow. "I placed all of the seasoning in a bowl and whisked it together. I then coated the fish with the seasoning, placed it in a greased baking dish, and poured the remaining seasoning over it. I served the fish with steamed broccoli and roasted garlic couscous. My two year old and husband gobbled it up. Quick and delicious!"

03 of 16

Curry Fish and Rice

Curry Fish and Rice
The Tipsy Cook

Frozen white fish (which could mean cod, pollock, whiting, hake, and others) has a mild flavor, which makes it the perfect choice for this curry-spiced dish. "This recipe was really a hit with my family. Easy simple, weeknight meal; however, the flavors made it not ordinary," Racheal Raymond says.

04 of 16

Easy, Excellent Baked Flounder

Easy, Excellent Baked Flounder
Deb C

"This is a great recipe for a night when you're feeling lazy — only a few ingredients, nothing to chop, easy cleanup, and very yummy! My husband announced the fish was 'excellent,' and he's not usually one to rave about food," writes recipe submitter ahnjy, who uses frozen flounder fillets.

05 of 16

Instant Pot® Honey-Mustard Salmon from Frozen

Instant Pot® Honey-Mustard Salmon from Frozen
Diana Moutsopoulos

"Frozen salmon fillets are so economical, but I often forget to defrost them! This recipe calls for adding frozen salmon fillets directly to your Instant Pot for a perfectly cooked fillet in mere minutes. I finish the salmon under the broiler for just two minutes with a honey-mustard glaze on top," Diana Moutsopoulos says. "Delicious!"

06 of 16

Will's Spicy New Orleans Catfish Fries

Will's Spicy New Orleans Catfish Fries
Angelgr21

"Discovered this recipe while I was a consultant to one of the long-time landmark New Orleans restaurants 20 years ago. It's still my all-time favorite catfish recipe and I have closely guarded the recipe till now." — WILL321

07 of 16

Super Simple Salmon

Super Simple Salmon
Allrecipes Magazine

"I used a frozen salmon fillet that I'd put in the fridge the night before. Absolutely delicious. And my first time making salmon, too! I'm making it a second time this week," reviewer jessimocha says. "Pat it dry with paper towels before you cook!"

08 of 16

Mexican Baked Fish

Mexican Baked Fish
bd.weld

"I spread salsa across the fish and sprinkled them heavily with cheese. I also used spicy corn chips, which added to the flavor. My fish-hating daughter loved it," Phoebe Jellifffe-Scott says. "One note: If you use frozen fish, make sure to press out the excess water."

09 of 16

Quick and Easy Baked Fish Fillet

fillets of fish in a skillet with lemon and parsley
Buckwheat Queen

"I was looking for a simple whole food recipe for frozen fish fillets and while I did add lots of chopped herbs (chives, oregano, thyme) and used a small amount of onion powder instead of onion, this recipe was exactly what I was looking for." — mccharlotte

10 of 16

Mahi Mahi Ceviche

two bowls of Mahi Mahi Ceviche with tortilla chips
Angela Smith Lamont

Believe it or not, ceviche tastes fresh even with frozen fish! "I used frozen (thawed) mahi-mahi — it was excellent," Roger says. "I will definitely make again."

11 of 16

Pretzel Coated Fried Fish

Pretzel Coated Fried Fish
Mark Crisp

"The pretzels add a great crunchy coating that sticks to the fish when frying. The flavor is excellent and these fillets serve well alone or as a fish sandwich," Wendy says of this recipe for frozen cod.

12 of 16

Torsk

Torsk
Heather B

Forgot to thaw that frozen cod? You're in luck. "This recipe uses frozen fish; defrosting is not necessary. Make sure to use butter. There's too much water in margarine," says recipe submitter DHERDEBU. Reviewers say this buttery dish tastes like lobster!

13 of 16

Instant Pot® Frozen Salmon

Instant Pot Frozen Salmon
Tracey Ferrari Posner

"If you want to prepare salmon without thawing and have it stay warm and moist without overcooking, then this is your recipe," Carol Castellucci Miller says.

14 of 16

Lemon-Pepper Salmon II

Lemon-Pepper Salmon II
enenmarumaru

Home cook LAURASC started with frozen salmon fillets, baking them on 450 degrees for 20 minutes before broiling them for three minutes. "This was really good. Even my youngest, who hates fish, was able to eat it. I'll certainly make it again," she says.

15 of 16

Skillet Tomato-Braised Cod with Bell Peppers and Ouzo

fish fillets in a tomato-based sauce served on a bed of couscous
Diana Moutsopoulos

"This healthy cod recipe marries a lot of freezer and pantry staples into a delicious one-pan meal that's Mediterranean diet-friendly," says Diana Moutsopoulos. "Keep frozen cod, frozen peppers, and a jar of whole plum tomatoes on hand to make this anytime."

16 of 16

Air-Fried Crumbed Fish

air-fried fish fillets on a plate
Launa

"Such an awesome texture. Crisp on the outside, flaky and not dry inside. I used frozen, thawed, and thoroughly dried cod," says reviewer Carrie Carrie. "Any seasoning would work with this recipe. Loved it!"

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