Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce
Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce uses a skin-on white fish fillet gently massaged with toasted sesame oil and lightly seasoned. The fish is steamed with julienned ginger, onion, and carrot, then topped with a warm soy-based sauce infused with garlic, shallots, and minced ginger. This dish offers a tender, subtly aromatic texture and flavour, highlighting the freshness of the fish with the bright notes of ginger and scallions. It is a comforting, light meal suitable for those who appreciate mild, well-balanced seafood dishes.
Ingredients
For the Fish
- 12-14 oz white fish fillet skin-on
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil toasted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- ginger 1 1/2-inch piece, julienned
- 4-5 scallion stalks, cut into short sections, julienned/shredded
- 1 onion or half a medium onion, small, very thinly sliced
- carrot half medium, julienned
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 shallot optional, small, minced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the fish in a shallow plate that can be used for steaming. Massage it with sesame oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Peel and julienne ginger and veggies as well as mince garlic, shallots and a small amount of ginger.
- Place a small pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is heated, add minced shallots and garlic, stir and cook until fragrant. Then add minced ginger, also stir and cook briefly until fragrant. Pour soy sauce into the pot, add black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of salt (to taste), stir and simmer for a few seconds. Transfer the sauce to a bowl.
- Prepare your steamer. Arrange all the julienned ginger, onion and carrots over the fish. Cover the plate of fish with foil and place inside the steamer and cook for 8-9 minutes.
- Open the lid of the steamer, then remove the foil from the plate. Pour the sauce over the fish fillet, then top with julienned scallions. Put the steamer lid back on (no need to cover the plate with foil this time), and continue to steam for another 4-6 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
- Serve hot with rice. You can garnish with some cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Use grouper, red snapper, halibut, or cod fillets; salmon can also work despite being a different fish type.
- You can steam a whole fish if you have appropriate equipment, but fillets are preferred for ease of serving at home.
- For softer vegetables, add ginger, onion, and carrot before steaming; otherwise add them with the sauce after steaming.
- Some cooks add thinly sliced rehydrated shiitake mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
- Simmering the sauce before pouring brings more aroma; if pressed for time, pouring soy sauce directly still yields good flavor.
- Adjust steaming time based on thickness; about 12 minutes for 1-inch thick fillets is typical.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 314
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 314kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 85mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 534mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 744mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 239IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 62mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.