This Blackened Fish recipe only takes 10 minutes and only needs a few common pantry items to make the most tender, flavorful fish. The special cooking method makes sure the fish stays juicy and is always cooked just right.
This post was made in collaboration with Destin Ft. Walton Beach, which is our favorite place to fish and buy fresh seafood. All thoughts and recipes are our own and were created by Easy Family Recipes.
Blackened fish is a quick and delicious way to prepare fresh fish fillets. With its iconic cajun flair, blackened fish fills your kitchen with tempting aromas and delivers big bold flavors the whole family will love. The method yields a flavorful crispy crust enveloping a tender, flaky interior that melts in your mouth. Best of all, blackened fish comes together in just 10 minutes!
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make restaurant-quality blackened fish at home, from start to finish. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll be enjoying the ultimate seafood dinner in no time. Let’s get started!
What is Blackened Fish?
Blackened fish refers to a cooking technique where fish fillets are coated in a spicy, herb-infused butter mixture then seared in a screaming hot cast iron skillet. This results in a blackened crust forming on the outside of the fish.
The method originated in Louisiana and is a hallmark of Cajun cuisine. It was popularized by chef Paul Prudhomme in the 1980s. While traditionally quite spicy, blackened fish can also be made with milder seasonings.
Nearly any firm white fish works well for blackening. Some top choices are:
- Red Snapper
- Mahi Mahi
- Tilapia
- Cod
- Halibut
- Salmon
- Trout
The quick cooking at high heat helps keep the fish deliciously moist and tender inside with a flavorful, caramelized exterior.
Benefits of Blackened Fish
There are many reasons why blackened fish should be on your regular dinner rotation. Here are some of the best benefits this meal provides:
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Fast & easy – With only a 10 minute cook time, blackened fish can be on your table in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Healthy – Fish is packed with protein, low in fat, and contains beneficial omega-3s. Blackening adds lots of flavor without loading on calories.
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Kid-friendly – Mild fish absorbs all the big, bold seasoning flavors kids love. Just adjust the heat to your family’s tastes.
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Impressive – Looks and tastes gourmet but couldn’t be simpler to make. Great for date nights or hosting guests.
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Budget-friendly – Use affordable fish fillets like tilapia or swap in cheaper catfish. Feeds a family without breaking the bank.
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Versatile – Serve blackened fish on its own, in tacos or sandwiches, over salad, with sides, and much more. The options are endless!
With all of these excellent benefits, blackened fish should become a regular menu item in your home. Keep reading to learn how to nail this recipe every time.
How to Choose Fish for Blackening
Nearly any firm, white fish with large enough fillets will work well for blackening. The key is using fresh, high-quality fish. Here are some tips for picking the best fish fillets at the store:
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Look for fillets without discoloration, darkening, or dry patches on the surface. Pass on any fish that smells overly “fishy.”
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Whenever possible, choose fillets cut from a whole fish over pre-packaged options. This ensures freshness.
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For the best texture, pick fillets that are at least 1/2 inch thick. Thinner fillets can disintegrate.
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Fillets between 4-8 oz are ideal to cook quickly and evenly without drying out.
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If using frozen fish, defrost in the refrigerator overnight before blackening.
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Ask the fish counter for recommendations for what’s freshest that day.
Opt for local fish varieties in season if you can find them. Supporting local fishermen helps sustain communities. Just make sure the fillets meet the quality standards above.
While any white fish works, buttery varieties like salmon and trout yield especially delicious blackened fish. Their richness balances the spices beautifully.
How to Blacken Fish Perfectly Every Time
With a few easy techniques, you’ll nail restaurant-worthy blackened fish at home:
1. Pat Fish Dry
Rinse fillets under cold water and pat extremely dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture will cause splattering when the fish hits the hot oil.
2. Coat Evenly with Spice Mix
Apply an even layer of blackening spice mix to all sides of the fillets, gently pressing to help it adhere.
3. Use Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron provides the best sear for blackened fish. Heat it over medium flame until smoking hot before adding oil.
4. Add Oil and Clarify
Once pan is hot, add high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed. Swirl to coat then let it clarify until it stops bubbling.
5. Sear Quickly
Carefully lay fillets in the pan and sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side. Resist urge to move them around.
6. Rest before Serving
Let fish rest for 2 minutes off heat before serving. This allows moisture to redistribute so fish stays juicy.
7. Wipe Out Pan
Make sure to wipe out the pan after cooking. Letting blackening residue sit can ruin the seasoning over time.
Follow these steps and you’ll achieve the crisp, blackened exterior and moist, flaky center that makes this recipe so mouthwatering. Now let’s get into the fun flavors!
How to Make Blackening Spice Mix
While packaged blackening seasoning blends abound, making your own allows you to customize the flavors exactly how your family likes them.
Start with these base ingredients:
- Smoked paprika – Provides signature color, smokiness
- Onion powder – Savory depth
- Garlic powder – Warmth, aromatics
- Dried oregano – Earthiness
- Dried thyme – Herbal note
- Cayenne pepper – Heat (leave out or use less for mild)
- Salt & pepper
From there, tailor the blend to suit your tastes. Fun mix-ins include:
- Lemon zest – Brightness
- Sage – Woodsy aroma
- Celery seed – Slight tang
- Mustard powder – Pungency
- Cumin – Warm, exotic edge
- Coriander – Citrusy nuance
Make sure to rub the spice mixture into the fish well so it adheres and cooks into the flesh. Now let’s talk serving suggestions!
What to Serve with Blackened Fish
Part of blackened fish’s appeal is that it pairs wonderfully with so many sides. Lean into its New Orleans roots with classic Cajun and Creole accompaniments. Here are some ideas:
- Hushpuppies – Crispy corn fritters
- Jambalaya rice – Spicy rice loaded with veggies and smoked sausage
- Beans & rice – Kidney or black beans and fluffy white rice
- Creamed corn – Sweet corn in creamy mixture
- Crawfish etouffee – Spicy Cajun stew with shellfish
- Collard greens – Slow simmered with ham hock or bacon
- Garlic bread – For soaking up all the fabulous juices!
Beyond classic pairings, blackened fish also complements lighter sides like roasted veggies, potato salads, and fresh green salads.
For easy weeknight meals, keep it simple with quick sides like creamy grits, fish tacos with all the fixings, or blackened fish sandwiches.
With so many options, you could enjoy blackened fish several times a month without getting bored!
Tips for Leftover Blackened Fish
Like any seafood, blackened fish is best fresh. But you can definitely repurpose leftovers into tasty new dishes.
- Make blackened fish tacos or sandwiches
- Dice up fish and add to salads
- Stuff into an omelet or frittata
- Toss with pasta and veggies
- Layer into a fish dip or spread
- Mix into rice for an easy seafood stir fry
For best results, store fish in an airtight container and eat within 2 days. The blackening spices help preserve the fish longer than plain cooked fish.
Common Blackened Fish Recipe Questions
If you’re new to making blackened fish at home, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is blackened fish spicy?
Traditionally, blackened fish is quite spicy from the blend of peppers in the seasoning. But you can reduce the heat by using less or no cayenne pepper and adjusting other seasonings to taste.
What fish works best?
Meaty, firm white fish hold up best. Good choices are snapper, mahi mahi, cod, trout, tilapia, and catfish. Oily fish like salmon and tuna can also be delicious.
Can I grill instead of pan fry?
Absolutely! Prepare the fish the same way with a spice
What to Serve with Blackened Fish
This dish tastes like traditional Cajun food, so it goes well with a lot of your favorite traditional side dishes.
You can make the meal look fancy with fancy sides, or you can keep it simple and quick for a regular family meal.
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
This Blackened Fish recipe is just as easy as it sounds. It only takes 10 minutes and a few simple ingredients to make a meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Because I’m not very good at seafood, I asked my dear friend Reade, who was born and raised on the Gulf of Mexico and makes some of the best fish in town, to help me learn how to make the best fish.
Now I’m going to talk about some tips and tricks I learned that helped me get the best and tastiest results when I made this recipe.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
What is blackened fish?
There are 3 common ways to prepare fish, grilled, fried, or blackened.
Blackened fish is fish prepared by the cooking method of blackening. To blacken the meat is seasoned and then cooked quickly in a very hot skillet with butter. The fish develops a black crust from the seasoning and milk solids from the butter.
Blackening is usually associated with Cajun food, but these days it can be found in any restaurant or type of food. Typically blackening seasoning is spicy using black or cayenne pepper. When it is not spicy it is often referred to as bronzed instead of blackened.
For today’s Blackened Fish recipe, we use a spice mix that has cayenne pepper in it. If you want a milder seasoning, you can leave it out, and the fish will still taste great.
The Perfect Blackened Fish Recipe // Easy Way to Blacken Any Fish You Have!
How do you cook blackened fish?
There are 3 common ways to prepare fish, grilled, fried, or blackened. Blackened fish is fish prepared by the cooking method of blackening. To blacken the meat is seasoned and then cooked quickly in a very hot skillet with butter. The fish develops a black crust from the seasoning and milk solids from the butter.
How do you eat blackened fish?
Blackened Fish Tacos – Reheat and shred the leftover fish. Place it in a tortilla and top with your choice of shredded cabbage, or prepared coleslaw, avocado, and cilantro. For an extra treat, drizzle with this spicy mayo sauce! Blackened Fish Sandwich – Heat blackened fish. Toast a hoagie roll.
Does blackened fish work with white fish?
Blackened fish works wonderfully with mild white fish, like the trigger fish we caught in the gulf, but many other kinds work too. Here are some common types: This seasoning mix is what makes the magic in the blackened fish. It is important to note that made as written you will get flavor and heat in your blackened fish.
What is blackened fish?
Blackened fish prepared according to this top-rated recipe is juicy, flaky, and full of spicy and smoky flavor. You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let’s go over the basics: This recipe calls for trout because it’s firm and flaky.