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Fish and Chips (British Pub Style)

No need to go down to your local pub, chippy or restaurant for the best beer-battered fish and chips.  This recipe produces that perfectly crispy, flavorful result you're craving. Recreate the PERFECT beer-battered fish and chips right at home!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 444 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups light beer , VERY COLD **See NOTE
  • extra flour for dredging , chilled
  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh cod, haddock or halibut , (or other firm-fleshed white fish), cut into 4 pieces and patted dry (important for enabling the batter to adhere)
  • oil for frying
  • use beef tallow instead of oil for the best traditional flavor (click link for recipe - it's super easy to make!)
  • For the Chips:
  • 4 large Russet potatoes or other high starch/low moisture potato , peeled, sliced thickly and put in a large bowl of cold water until ready to fry
  • salt for sprinkling
  • oil for frying
  • quality British Malt Vinegar , for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. *See blog post for details on pro tips. To Make the Chips: Heat the oven to 200 F. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large heavy pan or Dutch oven until the temperature reaches over high heat until it reaches 325 degrees F (I use this instant read thermometer). Thoroughly drain the sliced potatoes and blot them with paper towels to remove excess water. Once the oil is 325 F carefully fry the potatoes in small batches to avoid overcrowding and fry for 2-3 minutes until pale and softened. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and let them cool to room temperature. Increase the temperature to 375 degrees F. Carefully add the fries again, frying in small batches, until they are golden, another 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, place them on a baking sheet or roasting rack, sprinkle with salt while they're still very hot, and place them in the warmed oven while you're frying the fish.
  2. To Make the Fried Fish: Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large flat bowl. Pour in the cold beer and whisk until smooth (use the batter immediately, do not let it rest for a while). In another large flat bowl add some extra flour for dredging.Blot the fish with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Thoroughly dredge all sides of the fish in the flour and shake off the excess.Dip the fish into the beer batter to thoroughly coat all sides, allowing some of the excess batter to drip off (but not too much!) If you prefer an extra thick coating you can repeat the process of dredging the fish in flour followed by the batter.  
  3. To Fry the Fish: You can either use a deep fryer or you can use a medium-sized skillet and fill it with oil to a depth of at least an inch. Heat the oil to between 350 F and 375 F, using a candy thermometer. Carefully lower the fish into the oil, waiting a few seconds before releasing it to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Fry the fish in the deep fryer for 5-8 minutes or until nicely golden. If using a frying pan fry the fish for about 2 minutes on each side or until nicely golden. Remove the fish with a slotted spoon, letting the oil drop off, then place the fried fish on paper towels for a few seconds and serve immediately. (If you wait too long to serve the batter will lose its crispiness.)Serve with the chips, a sprinkling of quality British malt vinegar and if desired a serving of authentic British Mushy Peas. Though not traditional in the UK, you can also eat the fish with our homemade Tartar Sauce.

Notes

  • * Beer contributes flavor to the batter but it's the carbonation in the beer that is key to achieving a light and crispy batter.  If you prefer not to use beer you can substitute fizzy seltzer water.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 444kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 64g (21%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 73mg (24%) Sodium 688mg (29%) Potassium 1741mg (50%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 70IU (1%) Vitamin C 14mg (16%) Calcium 106mg (11%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 444

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 444kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 64g 21%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 688mg 29%
Potassium 1741mg 37%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 70IU 1%
Vitamin C 14mg 16%
Calcium 106mg 11%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.