Fish and seafood are great sources of protein because they cook quickly, can be used in any dish, and come in a lot of different shapes and textures, so you’ll never get tired of trying new things in the kitchen. For fish that tastes too mild and delicate, don’t just serve it with lemon. Instead, add a variety of herbs and spices to your catch of the day. No matter what kind of seafood you’re cooking—trout, salmon, pike, pickerel, perch, catfish, bass, or anything else—a few herbs and spices can make any fish dish taste extra good.
Fish is one of the healthiest protein options you can eat. But finding tasty ways to flavor fish fillets, like salmon or cod, can seem challenging. The right herbs and spices can take your fish from bland to delicious in no time.
Certain spices complement and enhance the flavor of fish beautifully. They add warmth, complexity and taste without overpowering the natural mild flavor of most fish.
Here are the top 10 spices that make fish pop with flavor and taste phenomenal
1. Lemon
Fresh lemon juice and zest are hands down the most popular flavor enhancers for fish. A squeeze of lemon brightens up fish’s flavor and cuts through unwanted “fishiness.”
Lemon also pairs perfectly with other herbs. Try seasoning fish with lemon parsley, garlic and olive oil. Or rub fish with dried oregano, lemon zest, salt and pepper before baking.
2. Dill
Fresh or dried dill has a distinctive flavor that sings with fish. The herb’s green, grassy aroma teams up with the briny taste of fish fillets for a match made in heaven.
Sprinkle extra dill on salmon, trout, tuna or white fish before baking or grilling. Or add chopped dill to tartar sauce, creamy fish dip or potato salad to serve alongside fish.
3. Parsley
Parsley brightens and balances the flavor of fish without overpowering it. Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and herby flavor to finish any fish dish.
Mix parsley, breadcrumbs Parmesan lemon and garlic and coat fillets before baking. Or blend parsley, olive oil, lemon juice and dill into a marinade for grill-ready fish.
4. Thyme
Thyme has an assertive, woodsy flavor that stands up well to meaty fish like salmon, halibut or swordfish. Rubbing fish fillets with fresh or dried thyme before cooking infuses tons of herby aroma.
For an easy baked fish recipe, coat fillets with olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped fresh thyme leaves. The thyme will flavor the fish beautifully as it bakes.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary is another hearty, aromatic herb that pairs perfectly with fish. Its pine flavor cuts through stronger, oilier fish like mackerel or sardines.
Before grilling or broiling meaty fish steaks or fillets, coat them with a quick marinade of olive oil, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper. The rosemary infuses the fish with its distinct fragrance.
6. Basil
Sweet basil complements fish like tilapia or cod wonderfully. Its faint anise/mint flavor offsets fish’s salty-sweet brininess.
For a delicious baked fish dinner, top fillets with sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze and olive oil. Or add chopped basil to butter or mayo-based sauces for fish.
7. Tarragon
Licorice-tasting tarragon has a mild anise flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood. It adds a light sweetness that highlights shellfish like shrimp or scallops.
Infuse oil or butter with chopped tarragon before cooking or drizzling over fish. Or mix tarragon with breadcrumbs and citrus zest and use as a crust on fish fillets.
8. Oregano
The bold, woodsy flavor of oregano makes it a fantastic match for fuller flavored fish like salmon, trout or mackerel. It also pairs well with swordfish, tuna and grouper.
Before baking or broiling, coat fish all over with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper and dried oregano for tons of flavor. Or add oregano to creamy pasta sauce or rice pilaf to serve with fish.
9. Cumin
To add smoky warmth to fish, reach for earthy cumin. Just a pinch of cumin’s distinctive flavor goes a long way, adding richness and depth.
Rub fish fillets with olive oil, cumin, paprika, coriander and black pepper before grilling or broiling. The spices infuse the fish with lots of aromatic flavor.
10. Smoked Paprika
A touch of smoked paprika seasons fish with instant deep, savory flavor similar to grilling or smoking. It works with nearly any type of fish from salmon to halibut to tuna.
Just a light sprinkle of smoked paprika amps up the flavor of fish enormously. Add it along with other herbs and spices to coat fish before baking for an easy, tasty dinner.
Tips for Cooking Fish with Herbs
Here are some quick tips for getting the most flavor from herbs and spices when cooking fish:
-
For stronger, more robust herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano, use dried instead of fresh. The flavor will hold up better.
-
Add fresh tender herbs like parsley, basil, dill or mint at the very end of cooking for brightest flavor.
-
Rubbing fish all over with olive oil before coating with dry spices helps them stick and evenly season the fish.
-
Lightly toast whole spices like cumin seeds in a pan before crushing and sprinkling onto fish before cooking. This boosts their flavor.
-
Sprinkle a citrus herb blend over fish and then add lemon slices on top before baking for double brightness.
-
Sauté minced garlic or shallots in olive oil first before adding herbs to bloom their flavor before using on fish.
So next time you cook up a fish fillet or salmon steak, reach for lemon and dill, rosemary and thyme, or any of these herb and spice combos. They’ll take the flavor from blah to brilliant in no time.
What spices go best with fish?
When using spices with fish, it’s important to keep in mind that a little goes a long way. You don’t want to overpower the delicate flavour of the fish with too much spice. Start with a small amount and add more if necessary. With the right combination of spices, you can take your fish dishes to the next level. Here are a few spices that naturally complement fish:
- Ginger adds depth to many types of fish, like salmon, tilapia, and cod. Its flavor is warm and slightly sweet. It tastes great in sushi rolls, stir-fries, and curries as well.
- Cumin tastes nutty and strong, and it goes well with fish. Mix it with something else and sprinkle it on the fish before cooking.
- Adding cumin to grilled salmon makes it taste great. Coriander has a fresh, citrusy taste.
- Adding smoked paprika to fish gives it a deep, smoky flavor. It goes especially well with fish that has been grilled or baked. Best used as a dry rub before cooking.
- Black pepper gives the fish a little heat, while native lemon pepper makes it taste bright and fresh. Lemon pepper can be used as a dry rub or to cover fish before cooking.
What herbs go best with fish?
When cooking fish, think about the flavor it already has and bring it out by adding herbs that go well with it. Some of the best herbs to use with fish are basil, tarragon, dill, and parsley.
- Basil makes the taste better and adds a little sweetness. It tastes great with halibut or cod.
- This herb gives food a sweet, licorice-like flavor and goes especially well with fish that has white flesh, like bass or tilapia.
- There is a slightly sour and savory note to dill that goes well with salmon or trout. If you mix it with paprika, your fish will taste great with the lemon and pepper.
- Parsley gives any kind of fish a great flavor with its peppery and grassy notes.
- If you like to try new native foods, our Australian Bush Herbs are a great way to season your barramundi or bass. When added to a breading mix, this mix tastes great. It has Australian coriander, pumpkin, lemon myrtle, bush tomato, sea salt, onion, native thyme, aniseed myrtle, and chives.
Fish Seasoning – a great Old Bay style Spice Mix for fish
What spices should you add to fish?
While it’s good to go for spices that will complement the natural flavor and texture of the fish – say light seasonings and delicate spices for fish with mild taste, fine and flaky meat and the opposite for the more flavorful and firm fish, it’s also a great idea to add strong spices as well in some dishes like in stews or curries.
Which dark spice has the highest antioxidants?
Evidence suggests that the black spices with the highest antioxidant content are ginger, oregano, black pepper, black cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander, among others.
What is a good fish seasoning?
A good Fish Seasoning is an easy way to make any fish delicious – fast! This spice rub mix is based on Old Bay Seasoning and is a combination of spices for fish that works really well together. I’ve used flathead fillets today, but it can be used for any fish suitable for pan frying.
What herbs go well with fish & seafood?
Dill offers the most basic herbal pairing for fish and seafood. Dill is especially good for adding delicate punch in many fish and seafood recipes. Some recipes you can try include: Lemon balm is a prolific herb that has a gentle lemony flavor that is just the thing to perk up a fish dish.