This Instant Pot fish recipe is the easiest way to cook fish. Not only is it easy, but it comes out tender, flaky, and perfect in less than 20 minutes. Its best served hot with this lemon herb couscous. It can even be cooked frozen!.
[This recipe was originally posted in July 2020. It now has new cooking instructions, expert tips, a frequently asked question (FAQ) section, related recipes, and ideas for reusing or throwing away food.
Make Instant Pot tilaipa, cod, or even salmon. This is my new favorite way to cook fish. It’s like putting fish in parchment paper and baking it, but it won’t heat up the house, which is great in the summer.
Not only is this Instant Pot fish delicious, and so tender, but its insanely easy. You don’t have to thaw the fish first; just put the frozen block in the bowl, add the toppings, and let it cook. See side dish ideas here.
One thing to remember about this recipe is that every fish piece will cook in a different way. It really depends on how thick the fish is. I like cooking from frozen because theres more of a buffer.
It could take up to 20 minutes to cook fish in an Instant Pot, which includes the time it takes to reach high pressure. But that’s still a quick dinner that doesn’t require planning or thawing, and it’s cleaner than thawing.
For the amounts of each ingredient, scroll down to the Instant Pot fish recipe card. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s in this recipe:
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Heres a quick overview + photos to see how to make this Instant Pot fish recipe in general.
1. Pour water in the bowl, place frozen cod, halibut, or tilapia filet on steamer basket. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place butter slice and lemon slices on top.
2. Replace lid, set vent to SEALING. Set the timer to 8 minutes if the layer is less than 1 inch thick or 12 minutes if it is between 1 and 2 inches thick.
3. QUICK RELEASE pressure knob and remove (flip the vent to venting). Temperature in middle of fish should be at least 140/145 degrees. Serve your Instant Pot fish with rice or herb couscous.
You may need to cook for longer, depending on fish thickness and Instant Pot. Thats easy, just reset the timer for 2-3 minutes at a time. It should get up to pressure quickly.
You can cook fish in an Instant Pot whether it’s frozen or thawed. If you’re cooking fresh or thawed fish, set the timer for two to three minutes and cook it that way. While frozen fish needs to be cooked for 8-14 minutes, depending on thickness.
I’ve only tried this with white fish, but salmon should take about the same amount of time, depending on how thick it is.
Store your Instant Pot fish in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Fish should smell good, it might last longer. Reheat in microwave, in container with a dash of water for best results.
Yes, you can cook Instant Pot fish from frozen too. Put the fish on a trivet and add at least one cup of water. Cook on manual-high for at least eight minutes, depending on how thick the fish is. Refer to cooking instructions below for specific cook time.
Put the frozen fish on a trivet and add at least 1 cup of water. Cook on manual-high for at least 5 minutes, or longer if the fish is thick. Refer to the cooking instructions below for specific cooking time.
Canning fish is a great way to preserve and store seafood for long periods of time. With an Instant Pot, you can safely can fish at home with minimal equipment. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about canning fish in an Instant Pot, from how it works to tips and recipes.
How Does Canning Fish in an Instant Pot Work?
Canning relies on high heat to kill any bacteria or organisms that could cause spoilage. When canning in a traditional water bath, jars are submerged in boiling water for a period of time to achieve this.
With an Instant Pot, the pressurized environment allows the contents of the jars to reach an even higher temperature than boiling water. At sea level, water boils at 212°F. Under pressure in an Instant Pot, temperatures can reach 240-250°F, which is sufficient to kill any potential biological hazards.
This high heat penetrates through the contents of the jar evenly, ensuring the fish is heated all the way through As the jars cool and the pressure is released, a vacuum seal forms to prevent any new contaminants from entering
Is It Safe to Can Fish in an Instant Pot?
Yes, canning fish in an Instant Pot is a safe method when the proper guidelines are followed. Here are some tips for safe canning
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Use an approved canning recipe and follow instructions exactly. Improvised methods can be risky.
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Use pint or half-pint mason jars and new lids specifically made for canning. Regular glass jars and lids cannot withstand the pressure and temperature.
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Ensure the rims of the jars are clean and free of cracks or chips This allows a proper seal to form,
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Process the filled jars at 10-11 PSI pressure for the time specified in the recipe, adjusting for your altitude. This ensures harmful bacteria are eliminated.
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After processing, allow the pressure to completely release naturally before opening the lid. Do not rush the depressurization.
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Check that all jar lids have properly sealed by pressing down on the center. It should not flex up and down at all. Refrigerate any jars that did not seal properly and use them first.
Tips for Canning Fish in an Instant Pot
Follow these tips when canning fish to get the best results:
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Choose fresh, sushi-grade fish whenever possible. Avoid fish that smells “fishy.”
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Prepare the fish by removing skin, cutting into chunks, and removing all bones. This makes for an easier, safer eating experience after canning.
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Packfish chunks into jars loosely but allowing 1-inch headspace at the top. Do not overstuff jars.
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Wipe jar rims clean before putting on lids. This prevents interference with the seal.
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Use a canning rack inside the Instant Pot to elevate jars off the bottom. Add 2 cups water to generate steam.
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After processing, allow jars to sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours. This gives the seal time to fully set.
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Label jars with contents and processing date. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Best Fish for Canning in an Instant Pot
Nearly any fish can be canned, but these varieties are particularly well-suited:
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Salmon: A meaty fish that retains its flavor and texture well. Try canning roasted salmon chunks in broth.
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Tuna: A lean, firm fish that cans nicely in chunks or flakes. Makes an easy protein addition to meals.
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Sardines: Small, oil-rich fish that pack well into jars. Often canned in oil or sauce.
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Anchovies: Small, flavorful fish perfect for canning whole in oil. Adds a punch of umami to dishes.
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Mackerel: A fish with high oil content that keeps it moist through canning. Pairs well with sauces.
Delicious Instant Pot Canned Fish Recipes
Once you get the technique down, try out these tasty recipes for canned fish you’ll want to make over and over:
Lemon Dill Salmon
- 2 pounds skinless salmon chunks
- 1⁄2 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Pack salmon chunks into jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1⁄4 teaspoon dill to each jar. Process at 10 psi for 1 hour 15 minutes for pint jars, adjusting for altitude.
Spicy Sardines
- 2 pounds fresh sardines, scaled and gutted
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pickling spice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Layer whole sardines and pickling spice in jars. Add vinegar, leaving 1-inch headspace. Process at 10 psi for 100 minutes for pint jars, adjusting for altitude.
Chipotle Tuna
- 2 pounds tuna steaks, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1⁄2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 canned chipotle pepper, minced
- 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and pack mixture into jars. Process at 10 psi for 100 minutes for pint jars, adjusting for altitude.
Mediterranean Anchovies
- 1 pound fresh anchovies
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Layer whole anchovies vertically in jars. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over fish. Process at 10 psi for 60 minutes for half-pint jars, adjusting for altitude.
Key Takeaways on Canning Fish in an Instant Pot
Canning fish is a safe, effective way to enjoy seafood any time when following proper procedures. With an Instant Pot, you can leverage the pressurized environment to safely process pint jars of your favorite fish varieties. Be sure to use approved recipes and sterile equipment for best results. In no time, you’ll have a pantry ready to make quick, nourishing meals with your homemade canned fish.
Other good fish recipes
When youre cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. Itll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
Did you make this fish in the Instant Pot? Tell me about it.
Instant Pot Fish from Frozen
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- Trivet/Steamer Basket
- cutting board
- knife
- Tongs/Spatula
- 1 cup water
- 4-6 oz white fish such as cod, tilapia, halibut
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 3 slices lemon
- pinch of salt & pepper
- Pour 1 cup water into Instant Pot bowl. Place trivet or (Instant Pot safe) steamer basket in bowl. Place frozen fish filet on trivet. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Put one teaspoon of butter on top of the fish and three lemon slices on top of that.
- Replace lid, set vent to SEALING. Set the timer to 8 minutes if the layer is less than 1 inch thick or 12 minutes if it is between 1 and 2 inches thick.
- Once timer goes off, QUICK RELEASE pressure and remove. The middle of the fish should be at least 145 degrees. Serve with rice or herb couscous.
Cooking Fish with the Instant Pot from Frozen in under 25 minutes
How to cook frozen fish in Instant Pot?
Water: This is essential to pressurize the Instant Pot for cooking the frozen fish. Pour the water into the Instant Pot. Add the trivet and place the frozen fish directly on the trivet. Season and press manual pressure to get it started. Carefully remove the trivet from the pot and throw away any cooking liquid and grease.
How do you cook frozen codfish in an Instant Pot?
Place the trivet in the instant pot and add 1 cup of water. Add the frozen codfish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper Cover the lid of your instant pot securely then turn the valve to the sealing position. Select manual or pressure cook and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes then carefully do a quick release.
How long does it take to cook fish in Instant Pot?
After 3 beeps, the Instant Pot will start building up pressure and the cooking will commence. Once the timer goes off, allow 7-8 minutes for the pressure to release naturally and then do the quick release to let off the steam. Open the lid and use a spatula to carefully remove the fish fillets.
What kind of fish can I put in my Instant Pot?
Fish – Small whole fish that will fit in the instant pot or frozen cod fish cut in fillet. You can also use haddock, any white fish, mackerel, halibut, pollock. Smoked Paprika