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Fish Seasoning - for any fish

Recipe video above. This is a great spice seasoning for fish that makes for a quick and easy way to add flavour to fish. Based on Old Bay Seasoning, it's a combination of spices that works really well together. I've used flathead fillets today, but it can be used for any fish suitable for pan-frying. Don't worry if you don't have all the spices, there's plenty of subs. Allow ~180g/6oz fish per person.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 265 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Fish Seasoning (Note 1 for subs):
  • 1 tsp celery salt (or 3/4 tsp salt]
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp mace
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground clove
  • 1/8 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or pure chilli powder)
  • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
Fish:
  • 750g / 1.5lb fish fillets , skinless, boneless (I used flathead, Note 2)
  • 45g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 30g / 2 tbsp Extra unsalted butter – for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Fish Seasoning: Place ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. It will keep for months in an airtight container. This quantity is enough for 750g / 1.5lb fish (serves 4 people)
Seasoning and cooking fish:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Season fish: Sprinkle Seasoning on both sides of fish. Lightly rub to spread Seasoning.
  2. Cook fish in two batches: Melt 30g / 2tbsp butter in large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook fish until golden on each side (see Cook times below). Remove to a plate.
  3. Cook remaining fish: Melt remaining butter in skillet and cook remaining fish.
  4. Rest: Rest fish for 3 minutes before serving with extra butter sauce (see next step).
  5. Extra butter sauce (optional): Add extra butter into pan over medium heat and melt until foaming. Drizzle over fish when serving.

Notes

  • FISH COOKING TIMES:
  • Substitutes for spices:
  • * These doesn't taste similar but are suitable alternatives for a different flavour sub that works here.
  • Pan-fried fish - best to be fish up to around 2 - 2.25cm / 0.8 - 0.9" thick. If much thicker, finish it off in the oven at 180°C/350°F.
  • Skinless is better as the rub is best on flesh rather than skin. But it works just fine on skin too.
  • Fish fillets purchased from fish mongers should always be boneless. Check with them when you buy it to ensure your fish is pin boned (for typical retail fish stores, this service is built into the price).
  • Celery salt: This is an excellent substitute for plain salt, adding an extra layer of savoury flavour into any dish. It's the "secret ingredient" in things like KFC, Old Bay, and is used in restaurants. Just use in place of ordinary salt in any savoury dish.
  • Celery salt recipe: Mix equal parts celery powder + salt.
  • To make celery powder, spread celery leaves on a baking tray in a single layer. Bake at 180°C/350°F for 20 - 30 minutes until fully dry. Then grind into fine powder using tool of choice (spice grinder, mortar and pestle). The result is celery powder. 1 cup celery leaves yields ~1.5 tablespoons celery powder.
  • Alternatively, 1.5 tsp celery seeds when ground will yield 1 tsp celery powder.
  • Nutrition includes white fish fillet.
  • Rule of thumb: Two minutes each side for every 1.25 cm / 0.5" thick fillet. So a 1.25cm / 0.5" thick fillet will take 4 minutes in total.
  • Fish should flake easily – this means it is cooked.

  • Internal temperature of cooked fish:

    55°C / 131°F for white fish – this gives a medium result, with no rare or raw flesh, and the fish at optimum juiciness 50°C / 122°F for salmon (medium-rare)

  • 55°C / 131°F for white fish – this gives a medium result, with no rare or raw flesh, and the fish at optimum juiciness
  • 50°C / 122°F for salmon (medium-rare)
  • Very thick fillets: For fish > 2.5cm / 1" thick, pan sear until golden then finish in oven (keep in pan) at 180°C/350°F until it reaches cooked internal temp. 
  • Salmon and trout: OK to pan-fry fully (ie. without an oven to finish) as they have higher fat content. Cook for 3 minutes each side as a good rule of thumb (for the thicker parts).
  • Celery salt - 3/4 tsp kosher / cooking salt, or make your own (Note 3)
  • Mustard powder - 1/4 tsp ginger powder*
  • Smoked paprika - plain paprika
  • Mace - nutmeg or all spice
  • All spice - Mixed spice
  • Clove - nutmeg or mixed spice
  • Ginger - more mustard powder*
  • Cayenne - pure chilli powder
  • Ground cardamom - equal parts cinnamon plus nutmeg

Nutrition Information

Calories 265cal (13%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 118mg (39%) Sodium 681mg (28%) Potassium 588mg (17%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 555IU (11%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 265

% Daily Value*

Calories 265cal 13%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 118mg 39%
Sodium 681mg 28%
Potassium 588mg 13%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 555IU 11%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

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