This recipe for fried whiting fish is a basic Southern fried fish recipe. It’s fried beautifully and has a very golden crust. The inside is moist and tender, and it’s great for dinner or a potluck.
Fried chicken and fried fish are probably the first two dishes that’s on top of Southern cuisine. This pan-fried fish is covered in a tasty seasoned flour and is ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.
With this pan-fried fish recipe, there’s no reason to bring out the deep fryer. Also, cooking the fish will take less time than cleaning and putting away the deep fryer. No one really has time for that.
Whiting is an affordable, mild, white fish that is unfortunately overlooked by many home cooks However, when prepared properly, whiting can make for a delicious and versatile meal. This tender fish takes well to a variety of cooking methods and pairs nicely with various seasonings and sides By following a few simple tips, you can cook whiting fillets, tacos, fish fry and more to flaky perfection.
Buying and Storing Whiting
When buying whole whiting or fillets, look for fresh fish that is free of discoloration, dark markings, or fishy odor. The flesh should be translucent and shiny. Whiting is often sold as fillets or steaks. I recommend fish that is 6-10 ounces in size for the best texture.
Store fresh whiting fillets just 1-2 days max in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Keep the fish wrapped and place on ice. For longer storage, whiting freezes well for 4-6 months in an airtight freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Preparing Whiting for Cooking
Thoroughly rinse fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Use tweezers to remove any residual bones. Trim off any dark fatty sections or bloodlines along the side. Cut fillets into individual portions or strips if needed.
To reduce moisture loss and keep the interior tender, you can score the skin side diagonally 1-inch apart before cooking. This allows the fish to cook evenly
Healthy Cooking Methods for Whiting
Whiting is a lean, delicate fish that does well with quick cooking methods like sautéing, pan-frying, and baking These methods produce tender, flaky fillets
Pan-Searing
In a hot skillet with just a bit of oil, cook fillets skin-side down for 2-3 minutes until browned. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque. You can also pan-sear whiting with a bit of butter or olive oil for richness.
Baking
Arrange oiled fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes until fish flakes easily. Baking concentrates flavor and gives a nice caramelized exterior.
Broiling
For fast flaky fish, position an oiled baking sheet about 5 inches under the broiler. Broil oiled fillets for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve broiled whiting with a tangy salsa or lemon wedges.
Grilling
Oil the grill grates well before placing fillets skin-side down. Grill over direct medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Baste with herb butter or citrus as it cooks.
Poaching
Simmer seasoned fillets gently in broth, wine, or water with aromatics for 5-10 minutes until just cooked through. The poaching liquid becomes a flavorful broth.
Steaming
In a steamer basket over simmering water, steam fillets for about 5-8 minutes until opaque and flaky. Retain the flavorful steaming liquid for sauce.
Crispy Cooking Methods
Whiting stands up nicely to crispy cooking methods like deep frying, pan frying, and air frying. Here are some tips:
Pan Frying
Dredge seasoned fillets in flour, then pan fry in 1/4 inch hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Deep Frying
Dip fillets in buttermilk, then dredge in spiced flour or cornmeal. Deep fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until crispy. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or remoulade.
Air Frying
Air frying is fast with just a splash of oil. Coat fillets in panko or batter and air fry at 400°F for about 10
What kind of fish is whiting?
Whiting is a Gadiformes (cod-like) fish. This thin fish, which is low in mercury, lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the North Sea off the east coast of Britain.
How do you make Southern fried whiting fish?
A little bit of cayenne pepper, cornmeal, 1 cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour, salt and pepper to taste, dried basil, and vegetable oil were what I used to fry the whiting fish.
As you may notice from the ingredients list, I used a combination of flour and a cornmeal. However, if you do not have cornmeal, breadcrumbs will work as well.
You can alter the recipe in any way with the ingredients you have on hand. Make it your own – natural or dry herbs will also work. Feel free to also omit the cayenne pepper, or add more for an extra kick!.
- Salt and pepper to taste, basil, and cornmeal should all be mixed together in a medium-sized bowl. Mix well and set aside (pic 1). Wash and lightly season the fish with salt and pepper.
- Cover each fish piece by piece and set them on a plate. Then cook the fish one side at a time for 5 minutes. Repeat the steps with the remaining fish. Serve warm and enjoy!.
This Southern pan-fried whiting fish doesn’t get any easier than this. It pairs well with cauliflower and rice and beans. But, if you loved this Fried Whiting Fish Recipe, try this fish and chips recipe.
If you try this Southern Fried Whiting Fish Recipe, please let me know how it goes in the comments.
Also, tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your beautiful dish. I hope you love it.
EASY BAKED WHITING RECIPE | HEALTHY DINNER
How do you cook a Whiting fish?
Top each fillet with at least 3 tomato pieces. Add butter to each fillet. Squeeze 1 lemon half over each fillet. Bake in the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork, 30 to 45 minutes. Tilapia can be used in place of the whiting, and margarine can be used in place of the butter.
How do you cook Whiting fish in a crock pot?
Season the whiting with salt and pepper and place in the baking dish. Mix together the butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and zest and then pour the mixture over the whiting fillets. Place the lemon rounds on top of and around the fillets. Bake the whiting for 10-12 minutes or until the fish is fork-tender.
How do you cook fresh Whiting?
Choose fresh whiting that has a fresh smell and clear, shiny eyes. Be sure to immediately refrigerate and cook the fish within two days of purchase. Use salt, pepper and your favorite spices to season the fish as desired. Baked whiting is delicious with garlic, lemon, and butter. Season the whiting with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet.
How long do you fry Whiting fish?
Fry the fillets in a heavy bottom pan or cast iron for 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel. Serve right away with your choice of bread, tartar sauce and hot sauce. Tips to make this fried whiting fish