Rockfish pan-seared with a lemon caper butter sauce is a quick and easy fish recipe that will have you eating dinner in no time. My rockfish recipe is one I used for years in the different restaurants I worked at. You can also use this method to cook other white fish fillets.
Soft rockfish fillets that have been lightly dusted in seasoned flour and then fried in a mixture of butter and olive oil until they turn golden brown. The cooking method and light sauce let the delicate flavors of that mild white fish shine through. Making it the perfect date night meal or when guests come over to dinner.
Alaskan rockfish is the best fish I’ve ever cooked. It’s flaky and has a mild flavor, and you can fry, broil, grill, sauté it in a pan, or even use an air fryer. It has a flavor somewhere between Cod and Halibut.
And if you’re wondering what else you can use rockfish for, It also makes delicious rockfish tacos!
Rockfish is a tasty, flaky white fish that is incredibly versatile in the kitchen As an avid home cook and seafood lover, I enjoy experimenting with different ways to prepare rockfish to bring out its best flavors After much trial and error in my kitchen, I’ve discovered some foolproof techniques for cooking rockfish that never fail to impress.
In this article, I’ll share my best tips and step-by-step instructions for making perfect pan-seared, blackened, and baked rockfish recipes. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can turn rockfish into restaurant-quality seafood dishes.
A Quick Intro to Rockfish
Before we get cooking, let’s start with a quick rockfish 101. Rockfish refers to over 60 different species of fish in the Sebastes genus that are found along the Pacific coast. Some common market names you may see include Pacific snapper, Pacific ocean perch, and red snapper.
Despite the many varieties, rockfish generally have firm, mild-flavored white meat like cod or halibut The flesh ranges from ivory to reddish depending on the specific species With its versatility and mild taste, rockfish works great in a variety of cooking methods and pairs well with many flavors.
Now let’s look at some of my favorite rockfish recipes and techniques!
Pan-Seared Rockfish with Lemon Caper Sauce
Pan-searing is one of my go-to cooking methods for rockfish fillets. It gives you a crispy browned exterior while keeping the interior moist and tender. This simple preparation pairs nicely with a bright lemon caper sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 6-oz rockfish fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken or fish stock
- 3 tablespoons capers, drained
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions:
- Pat the rockfish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the fillets skin-side down. Sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy.
- Flip the fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes more until the fish flakes easily. Remove fillets and tent with foil.
- In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the shallots and cook 1 minute.
- Pour in the stock and capers. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice and parsley.
- Serve rockfish topped with the lemon caper sauce. Enjoy!
Broiled Blackened Rockfish
For an easy weeknight meal, try broiled blackened rockfish. The zesty Cajun spice blend forms a flavorful crust while keeping the preparation simple. Serve with rice or veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1 1⁄2 lbs rockfish fillets
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat broiler and line a sheet pan with foil. Brush foil with olive oil.
- Pat rockfish dry and brush both sides with oil. Sprinkle evenly with Cajun seasoning.
- Place fillets on the prepared pan and broil 6-8 minutes until fish flakes easily.
- Serve rockfish warm with lemon wedges and enjoy!
Crispy Baked Rockfish with Panko Breadcrumbs
For a fun Japanese twist, try coating rockfish fillets with panko breadcrumbs before baking. The panko gives a delightfully crispy, crunchy exterior to contrast the moist flaky interior.
Ingredients:
- 1 1⁄2 lbs rockfish fillets
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Pat fish dry. Dredge fillets in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko crumbs.
- Arrange breaded fillets on the wire rack. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until fish is opaque and crumbs are golden brown.
- Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy your crunchy baked rockfish!
Tips for Cooking Rockfish
Here are some of my handy tips for ensuring delicious rockfish every time:
- When buying rockfish, look for shiny, moist fillets that smell fresh and mild. Avoid any fishy or sour odors.
- Pat dry fillets well before cooking to help browning and prevent steaming.
- Rockfish cooks fast! For 1-inch thick fillets, sear 2-3 minutes per side. Adjust times for thicker cuts.
- Test doneness by flaking fish with a fork. It should separate into moist, opaque flakes easily when done.
- Accompany rockfish with tangy flavors like lemon, tomatoes, capers, olives, and herbs. Avoid overpowering flavors.
- Leftover cooked rockfish keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days. Can be eaten cold in salads or reheated gently.
Now that you’re armed with some expert tips and easy recipes, it’s time to start cooking up some tasty rockfish dishes! Impress your family and friends with your newfound seafood cooking skills. Just remember, when working with such a delicate fish, less is often more in terms of ingredients and cooking times.
How do I make Lemon Caper Sauce?
- Put the capers, shallots, and butter in a different sauté pan or medium saucepan and set it over medium-low heat. Saute for 1-2 minutes. Don’t let the butter burn!.
- In a pan, add the lemon juice and either one ounce of white wine or chicken stock.
- In a hot pan, add one tablespoon of butter that has been rolled in flour (beurre manie). This will thicken the sauce.
*Add a little water, chicken broth, or heavy cream if the sauce gets too thick. If you want to take it to the next level, You can even add your favorite fresh herbs to the sauce for extra flavor.
Serve the lemon caper pan sauce over this delicious pan-seared rockfish and garnish it with chopped parsley. You’ll love how flaky the rockfish is, and I’m sure you’ll agree that this is the best recipe you’ve ever tried for pan-seared rock fish.
Rockfish is a healthy meal that the whole family will love. Serve it with wild rice or your favorite grain and your favorite green vegetable.
It’s important to make sure the pan is hot before adding the fish. This will keep the fish from sticking and give you a great crust. Heat your pan on medium-high heat, then add a small amount of oil and butter. When the oil and butter start to shimmer, add the fish to the pan.
Yes, you can. While flour is generally the first choice for pan-searing fish, you can use finely ground cornmeal instead. Before dredging the fillets in cornmeal, dip them in milk or beaten eggs to get that crunchy outside we love.
Rockfish is a mild whitefish that is somewhere between Cod and Halibut. Like most whitefish, rockfish has a flaky texture and mild flavor. It’s perfect fried, broiled, grilled or pan-sauteed. It also makes delicious rockfish tacos!.
How to cook the rockfish fillets
*Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. to use as a holding oven.
Start by putting the big skillet (or a big nonstick skillet) over medium-high heat. Add one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil (or your favorite cooking oil).
Once the butter has melted, turn the temperature down to medium heat. Make sure not to let the butter/oil mixture get brown before adding fish to the hot pan.
*If you have a cast iron skillet, sear the fish in it. It will give the rockfish a beautiful color.
Place the floured rockfish fillets in the hot skillet, cooking on the first side for 3-4 minutes. You don’t want to move the fillets around too much because you want them to keep their delicious crunch and golden brown color.
Turn the rockfish over and continue to saute for another 3-4 minutes. Put the rockfish on a baking sheet and put it in a 250-degree oven while you make the lemon caper sauce. When the rockfish is done, it should be fully cooked.
Pan searing is one of my favorite ways to prepare fish. It really brings out the natural flavor and can be done in minutes.
Rockfish Fillet
How do you cook floured rockfish?
In a large saute pan (or cast iron pan) add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Heat over medium-high until the butter is melted. Lower the heat to medium. *Don’t let the butter get brown. Place the floured rockfish in the hot pan, cooking on the first side for 3-4 minutes.
How can I prepare fish for kids?
This is really dependent on the personal preference of your children. Some children will eat fish the same way adults do for others you may need to make this more interesting by creating things like homemade fishcakes, fish burger patties, fish balls or by adding this to toast or even pasta. Involving your children in the preparation and cooking process can also encourage them to consume the fish.
How long does it take to cook a rockfish?
But the fact is that fish, especially a light and flaky fish like Rockfish, is very simple to cook. I had to bake these two rockfish fillets for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Done. Super. Simple. What Is Rockfish? According to Wikipedia’s Rockfish Page, Rockfish is a common term that is used to describe several different species of fish.
How to cook rockfish in a frying pan?
Season the fish and arrange it in the pan. Lay 1 pound (453 g) of rockfish in a single layer in the greased baking dish. Cover the fish with the blackening seasoning and use your fingers to rub the seasoning into the fish. Try to rub the seasoning on the sides of the fish too. Broil the rockfish for 6 minutes.