Top 8 Fish Dishes in the UK
In Ireland and the UK, fish dishes are immensely popular due to their rich coastal heritage that offers abundant fresh and diverse seafood options. From classic favourites like fish and chips to gourmet dishes like herb-crusted salmon and traditional fish stew, these recipes celebrate the region’s culinary culture. They entice locals and tourists alike with their flavourful, comforting, and often innovative preparations, making them a delightful exploration of the sea’s bounty.
So, head to the kitchen, grab your tools and be ready for some ultimately delicious fish dishes that will blow up your taste buds.
1. Fish Chowder
The Seafood Chowder recipe is fascinating for its delightful blend of fresh seafood, like shrimp, crab, and mussels. It is complemented by a creamy base infused with aromatic herbs and spices, making it a savoury and indulgent dish.
Ingredients
- 150 gm cut-up smoky bacon
- 200 gm diced onion (about one medium size onion)
- 100 gm diced celery
- 200 gm small diced carrots
- 50 gm butter (optional)
- 3 cloves small garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon thyme
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Pinch of saffron (optional)
- 5 cups fish stock
- 1 cup milk
- 700 gm cubed potatoes (about 4 medium size potatoes)
- 300 ml clam juice
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can oysters
- 250 gm Atlantic cod fish or any cubed white fish
- 250 gm cubed salmon
- 250 gm cubed shrimp
- 1 lemon zest
- Salt
Instructions
- In a pot on medium-high heat, brown the bacon until its fats are released and melted. You can add the butter only if the bacon fat quantity needs to be larger to make the roux; otherwise, it will be too fatty.
- Add in the onions, some salt, celery, and carrots, then sweat the vegetables for about 4 to 5 minutes. Incorporate the garlic and the thyme and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the flour and mix them well before letting them cook for additional 2 minutes. Then, add the saffron to give your chowder an appealing yellow colour.
- Now, put in go liquid ingredients: stock, milk, and clam juice, along with bay leaves. Lower the heat and let the fish chowder simmer for 30 minutes while stirring every 5 minutes to prevent it from getting burned at the bottom.
- Once it is cooked, add the cream, oysters, shrimp, and fish. Let them simmer for 5 minutes until they are cooked through.
- Remove bay leaves, then add lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve your fish chowder and enjoy!
2. Classic Fish and Chips Recipe
The Fish and Chips recipe is also one of the interesting fish dishes due to its classic British origin. It features crispy battered fish alongside golden and fluffy deep-fried potato chips, creating a deliciously comforting and iconic combination loved by many.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 300 ml sparkling water
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Stripes of cod fish meat
- 8 Marise Piper potatoes
- Sea salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sparkling water, baking soda, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Bring a bigger bowl, fill it with ice, and place the batter bowl over it. This step helps cool the batter as the gas from the sparkling water works better when it is cold.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into chips. Place the potato chips in boiling water and let them cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the chips from the pot and deep fry them until golden and crispy.
Now, Let’s Prepare the Fish
- Season the fish pieces with salt and pepper, and coat them with flour.
- Then, richly dip the fish in the batter and into the hot oil for deep frying.
- Serve the fish and chips on a platter and savour the crunchiness.
3. Classic Fish Pie Recipe
The Fish Pie Recipe is one of the most intriguing fish dishes in the UK. It combines a medley of seafood like salmon, cod, and prawns with creamy sauce and is topped with mashed potatoes, resulting in a delicious and satisfying dish loved for its versatility and rich taste.
Ingredients
- 50 gm butter
- 75 gm plain flour
- 500 ml preheated milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, chopped
- 700 gm smoked Haddock and Cod
- 1 tablespoon chives, chopped
- 700 gm boiled potatoes
- 50 ml milk (for mashing the potatoes)
- 50 gm butter (for mashing the potatoes)
- 2 stalks of green onions, chopped
- A handful of crumbled cheese
- Sunflower oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- In a pot, melt the butter, then add flour and whisk to create a roux base.
- Gradually add preheated milk and whisk vigorously to prevent lumps. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté chopped carrot, garlic, and celery in a hot pan with sunflower oil and season with salt and pepper for enhanced flavours.
- Combine sautéed vegetables with the white sauce. Add the smoked haddock and cod to the sauce and mix.
- Mash the potatoes with milk, butter, salt, and pepper, then add green onions and mix.
- Transfer the fish and vegetable mixture into a pie dish, top with mashed potatoes, and sprinkle crumbled cheese on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 35 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!
4. Marco Pierre’s Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe
The Mediterranean Fish Stew is a fascinating dish known for its regional variations. It features vegetables, flavourful broth, and a delightful mix of seafood, representing the country’s diverse coastal influences. It is best enjoyed in colder months, making it a comforting meal to warm up on chilly days.
The Fish Stew is prepared by Marco Pierre White, a renowned British chef and restaurateur, often hailed as the “godfather of modern cooking.” He became the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars, showcasing his exceptional culinary talent and influential cooking style.
Ingredients
- 500 gm cubed fish meat (it can be prawns, cod, salmon, or snapper)
- 1 knorr fish stock pot
- Pinch of sweet paprika
- Pinch of saffron (optional)
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup blanched shredded carrots and celery
- 1 cup homemade tomato juice (or concentrated tomato juice diluted with water in equal quantities)
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Season the fish with olive oil, paprika, saffron, and thyme and leave it aside to marinate.
- Create the basic roux for the fish stew recipe by melting the butter in a pan, then adding the flour and stirring until they are well combined.
- Add the tomato juice, mix well, and then add the fish stock.
- Incorporate the fish meat into the sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle basil leaves and shredded vegetables on top and serve it hot.
5. Herb-Crusted Salmon Recipe
The Herb Crusted Salmon Recipe is also among the top fish dishes popular in the UK. It features a succulent salmon fillet coated with a savoury blend of fresh herbs and breadcrumbs, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. The interesting aspect lies in its simplicity and elegance, making it a favourite dish for both special occasions and everyday dining.
Ingredients
- 3 slices of white toast bread
- 1 cup parsley
- Lemon zest (optional)
- Fresh thyme or oregano (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 skinless salmon pieces (6 ounces each)
- Dijon mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Combine the bread, parsley, olive oil, and optional lemon zest and herbs in a food processor.
- Spread Dijon mustard over the salmon for a tangy flavour and to help the crust adhere to the fish.
- Apply a generous layer of the breadcrumb mixture on top of the salmon, then bake in a preheated oven for 11 minutes.
- Serve the fish alongside your favourite salad, and enjoy!
6. Jamie Oliver’s Fishcakes Recipe
Jamie Oliver is a well-known British chef, author, and TV personality, celebrated for his passion for promoting healthy and accessible cooking. His exceptional fishcakes recipe is made from a blend of flaked fish, mashed potatoes, and a variety of herbs and seasonings. It is pan-fried to perfection, then served with a creamy sauce, creating a delightful meal enjoyed by all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 600 ml milk
- 1 side of smoked haddock
- 1 kg Maris Piper potatoes, boiled and peeled
- Chives, chopped
- 1 egg
Instructions
- After boiling and peeling, ensure the potatoes are completely dry.
- Sauté the onions in a hot pan until slightly browned, then add flour and mix.
- Pour milk into the pan, and gently poach the fish skin-side down for 5 minutes.
- To prepare the fishcakes, mash the potatoes to a slightly textured consistency, then add the egg and mix well.
- Remove the haddock skin and gently combine it with chopped chives in the potato to preserve the fish’s texture.
- Shape the mixture into equal-sized balls, then form them into patties with damp hands.
- Pan-fry the patties in olive oil until golden brown on each side.
- For the sauce, add chopped chives to the milk mixture, cook briefly, then blend until smooth and velvety.
- Reheat the sauce before serving with the fishcakes and garnish with additional chives.
7. How to Make Fish Casserole
Savour a traditional British fish casserole, brimming with a selection of fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. Finished off in the oven, this heartwarming dish melds flavours to warm you on a cold British evening.
Ingredients
- 1 John Dory fish
- 1 piece each of hake, monk, and turbot fish
- 3 to 4 crab claws
- 4 to 5 mussels
- A small handful of courgette, kale, and fennel (or any seasonal vegetables of your choice)
- 1 slice of sourdough bread
- A handful of diced tomatoes
- Fish stock (chicken or meat stock can be a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ lemon, juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Season your array of seafood with a dash of salt and pepper. Heat a pan with a mix of olive oil and butter, then place the fish in it. After a couple of minutes, introduce the seasoned crab toes and mussels.
- Incorporate the selected vegetables, fennel, kale, courgette, and tomatoes, along with lemon juice.
- Add in 3 ladles of your chosen stock. Then, transfer the pan to a preheated oven set at 180°C and let it bake for approximately 4 minutes.
- While that’s cooking, lightly brush some olive oil on the sourdough bread and grill it until it achieves a satisfying crunch.
- To serve, place the grilled bread on a serving dish, then gently pour the hot fish casserole over it. Enjoy this wonderful seafood feast!
8. Sashimi Fish Dish
Sashimi Fish Dish is a traditional Japanese delicacy popular in Ireland and the UK. It consists of thinly sliced, fresh raw fish or seafood, expertly prepared and served without any additional cooking or seasoning. Salmon sashimi is gaining huge popularity in the West, as it is one of the beloved fish types in the area.
One Important Tip for Preparing Fresh and Healthy Sashimi
Consuming raw fish meat is dangerous as it contains parasites and bacteria that can upset your stomach. So, in order to enjoy sashimi without risking your health, you need to freeze salmon meat for up to 10 days in a negative 20 degrees freezer before it is ready to eat to make sure all parasites are killed. If your freezer is negative 35 degrees, you can freeze it for only 24 hours.
Fish dishes in Ireland and the UK take centre stage; they are abundant, diverse and, most importantly, heavenly delicious. So, if you are a seafood lover, feast on these fish dishes and warm up your soul.