Fish guide

HOW TO COOK
FISH

Fish guide

HOW TO COOK
FISH

Fish Guide

HOW TO COOK
FISH

Buttery salmon, meaty tuna, pearly-white cod or quick-prep prawns are a fine choice for speedy solo suppers or a weekend feast with friends or family. Whether you've got fresh or frozen fish, rustle up crowd-pleasers like spicy fish tacos, seafood pasta or a classic, potato-topped pie with our many fish recipes.

Want to achieve that perfect taste and texture? Our prepping tips and cooking times will teach you how to cook fish like a pro, whatever the occasion.

How to cook popular types of fish

Nobody wants rubbery shellfish or chalky cod. Discover how to perfectly prepare and serve fish and seafood whatever the dish. In need of some menu inspiration? Browse our fish recipes.

How to cook popular types of fish

Nobody wants rubbery shellfish or chalky cod. Discover how to perfectly prepare and serve fish and seafood whatever the dish. In need of some menu inspiration? Browse our fish recipes.

Salmon guide

Salmon

Grill it, air fry it, bake it – however you're cooking salmon, the aim is to keep it moist, succulent and still bright in colour.

Learn how to cook salmon

Sea bass guide

Sea bass

You can pan-fry small fillets, while roasting a whole sea bass will deliver big on flavour and help keep the fish moist.

See how to cook sea bass

Cod cooking guide

Cod

A family fave when battered and deep fried, for guaranteed silky soft flakes of fish, we love poaching cod in milk or cream.

Discover how to cook cod

Tuna cooking guide

Tuna steak

Seared tuna steak livens up a salad, adds protein to veggie stir-fry and is a great pescatarian option for the barbecue. 

See how to cook tuna steak

Prawn cooking guide

Prawns

Probably the most versatile shellfish, prawns are just as delicious grilled in a little butter as they are tossed into pasta dishes, curries and spicy broths. 

Learn how to cook prawns

Discover our range of frozen fish

Keep a stash of great-value coley, pollock, raw king prawns or fish pie mix in the freezer, ready to defrost and use in traybakes, stir fries and pies.

How to freeze fish

How to freeze fish

Fresh fish freezes really well. Pack it in freezer bags or suitable containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to defrost fish thoroughly before cooking.

10 reasons to add more fish to your diet

1.

1.

All Waitrose fish is responsibly sourced – that includes fresh, frozen and canned fish, plus ingredients in our own label ready meals, sandwiches and any other own label prepared food where fish is the main ingredient. 

2.

2.

All our fresh, frozen and canned tuna is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

3.

3.

Fish and shellfish are a good source of vitamins, minerals and protein. They have so many health benefits, the Food Standards Agency says a healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week.

4.

4.

One of your weekly portions should be an oily fish (such as salmon) that is high in longchain omega-3 fatty acids, helping to keep the heart healthy.

5.

5.

All varieties of white fish, including cod, haddock, sea bass and monkfish, are low in fat. Cod, for example, contains less than 1g fat per 100g. White fish is also high in protein.

Fish in a pan
Fish

6.

6.

Fish rich in oil contain vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption. As well as salmon, oily fish include trout, fresh tuna, mackerel and anchovies.

7.

7.

Some oily fish, such as sardines, contain bones that you can eat. These are good sources of calcium and phosphorus, which can help keep your bones strong.

8.

8.

Fish can be cooked in a multitude of easy ways, including griddling, which is super-speedy, and grilling, which seals in flavour.

9.

9.

Fish only needs to be marinated for around 30-60 minutes. Making slits in the skin helps to lock in the flavour – add an extra drizzle of oil to make up for lost moisture while cooking.

10.

10.

Fish is quick to cook. Check the thickest part to see if it’s done all the way through. It should be juicy but flaky, and completely opaque. Undercooked fish resists flaking and is translucent.

Fish
Fish Friday

You can buy prepacked fish online or in store, or visit the fish counter in your local Waitrose for expert advice from our fishmongers. If you’re a myWaitrose member, you’ll save 20% at the fish counter every Friday.  

Fish Friday

You can buy prepacked fish online or in store, or visit the fish counter in your local Waitrose for expert advice from our fishmongers. If you’re a myWaitrose member, you’ll save 20% at the fish counter every Friday.