Did you know that you can cook fish from frozen? In this post you’ll learn how to cook fish like cod and salmon from frozen – there’s a basic method plus one for breaded fish. This post contains an affiliate link for Catch Sitka Seafoods, and a $15 off coupon code as well!
What do you do when you forget to take something out of the freezer for dinner? You know that mad panic. You’re halfway home from work or from picking up the kids when you realize that you don’t have any dinner plans. Suddenly you’re pulling a U-turn to head to the grocery store, find something quick and easy to make, stand in line to pay, and then finally back into the car and headed home.
And you still have to actually *make* dinner.
But you know what? This doesn’t happen to me anymore. Not since I learned how to cook fish from frozen.
Can You Cook Fish From Frozen?
Yes! Now that I’ve discovered how to cook fish from frozen, there’s way fewer panicked evenings trying to figure out dinner. Since I learned this technique, I make sure to always have fish fillets or portions in the freezer ready to pop in the oven at a moment’s notice. Cod, salmon, and more are now so much easier to enjoy!
And actually, lately I’ve been having that seafood delivered from Catch Sitka Seafoods. They freeze their fish portions dock side right after they’re sustainably caught and portioned so that when they arrive at my house, they’re actually sushi grade. It’s really amazing!
Here’s a video showing how to cook fish from frozen:
The fish fillets and portions that they send to you can go straight from the freezer into the oven once you know how to do it. The result is perfectly cooked fish every time.
The best part about it though is that I can enjoy my favorite seafood even in the months when it’s not in season. This makes me very happy. All in all, it’s a smart and healthy choice for my family.
Oh, and in case you’re curious, you can cook shrimp from frozen too. Now onto the fish fillets….
Making Breaded Fish From Frozen
I lightly oiled cod portions and put them on a heavy-duty baking sheet that can withstand a high temperature then baked at 450°F until nearly cooked through (about 10 minutes).
Meanwhile, I also baked some lightly seasoned, lightly oiled Panko crumbs until a toasty browned (3-5 minutes at 450°F).
I then removed the fish from the oven and brushed the tops of the fillets lightly with a mixture of half dijon mustard and half milk, and then sprinkled the fillets with the toasted breadcrumbs.
The cod then went back into the oven until the fish registered 145F on an instant-read thermometer and was flaky in the middle.
Easy, right?
I hope you love this easy and convenient way to cook fish!
Christine ;)
Print
How To Cook Fish From Frozen
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Did you know that you can cook fish from frozen? These are the basic instructions for cooking cod and salmon portions from frozen. To make the fish with crunchy crumb crust pictured here, the instructions are immediately above this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 oz.) cod or salmon portions
- 2 tsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt, pepper and/or other seasonings or sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Remove frozen fish from all packaging and rinse under cold running water to remove any ice crystals.
- Arrange fish in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush lightly with oil on all sides.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and add seasonings or sauce.
- Continue to bake until hot and flaky in the center, about 8-12 more minutes. Thicker portions may need to be flipped over halfway through cooking and may require a few extra minutes to cook through.
This post originally appeared in April 2014 and was revised and republished in September 2021.
sandeep jakhar says
Thanks for sharing with us!
Kay says
Where’s the recipe with the mustard and milk that’s written in the text above this recipe – with the panko – how much panko?
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Christine Pittman says
Kay, Thanks for your question. We’re working on adding this information to the article above. In the meantime, for 4 pieces of fish, mix together
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tsp. olive oil
⅛ tsp. salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. garlic powder
It might take a moment for the oil to fully combine. Just keep mixing and it will moisten all the breadcrumbs. Spread it out on a baking sheet. Put your frozen fish fillets on a separate baking sheet as instructed in the above recipe. Put both baking sheets into the pre-heated 450F oven. Then mix together 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard with 1 tablespoon of milk. When the breadcrumbs are browned, 3-5 minutes, remove them and the fish from the oven. Brush the fish with the Dijon mixture. Then add the breadcrumbs on top. Bake until fish is hot and flaky in the center (145 F on an instant-read thermometer), about 8-12 more minutes.
Karen Garnica says
$180.00 for 2 pounds of prawns!!! Mark this one WEALTHY PEOPLE ONLY. I’ll try your cooking method, but no to prawns for $90 a pound.
Christine Pittman says
To clarify, through Catch Sitka, their spot prawns are actually 2 (2 lb.) bags for that price. I do understand that it doesn’t work for many peoples budget, Karen, and depending where you live you may be able to get better deals locally rather than having them shipped to you.
James says
What about halibut and rockfish? There’s so much misinformation on the internet that I have no idea how I’m supposed to cook these. They even say thawing them can make me sick!
Christine Pittman says
The same technique will work for any kind of frozen fish that is of similar thickness, James. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that it is at 145F in the middle and it is ready.
Logica says
I lone doing this with frozen Pollock fillets. Pollock is firm , almost dense fish with a mild flavor that accepts almost any kind of seasoning well, and Pollock is the most sustainable of all north American wild fisheries.
Christine Pittman says
Thanks for sharing with us!
Michael A Roche says
Christine,
You are an amazing person. Thank you for writing this very helpful recipe. Good luck with the kids.
Mike
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Anita Acosta says
I remember either reading this or learning it in school when you cook fish you check to see if it flakes before you stop cooking it.That works for me. So there is no problem.
wild cod says
That crunchy topping is to die for! I never tried cooking from frozen, but I had some cod in the back of my freezer and just thought, what the heck. The result was so delicious!
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