How to Tell When Fish Is Done
The two ways to tell your fish is cooked are visual cues that require no special equipment or thermometers. When fish reaches the proper cooking temperature and is fully cooked, it will display these cues.
Opaque color. When you start cooking fish it’s rather shiny and translucent. When it’s done, the fish will be opaque.Flake easily with a fork. When fish is finished cooking, it’ll flake apart with a fork (more on that next). It should flake easily without any pushing or tugging. Fish will firm up as it cooks.
Undercooked fish resists flaking and is translucent. If your fish is undercooked, continue heating it until it’s done. But remember, fish cooks fast, so be sure to check it often. Test Kitchen Tip: When making a recipe, check fish at the minimum cooking time to avoid overcooking. Check the fish frequently as it cooks past the minimum cooking time.
How to Flake Fish with a Fork
This tried-and-true testing technique is easy to master. You’ll need just one fork to test your fish for doneness.
Insert the tines of a fork into the thickest portion of the fish at a 45-degree angle.Gently twist the fork and pull up some of the fish. If it flakes easily, without resistance, the fish is done and ready to eat.
At What Temperature Is Fish Done?
While the fork test and opaque color are excellent giveaways that fish is done cooking, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a safe temperature for cooked fish of 145 degrees F. To test this, use an instant-read thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the fish to ensure an accurate reading.
How to Tell if Cooked Fish Is Bad
It’s easy to tell if cooked fish is bad simply by using your nose. There shouldn’t be any fishy smell with cooked fish. It should smell fresh. When in doubt, throw it out! It’s best to buy fresh or freshly frozen fish and eat it quickly after cooking.
How to Cook Fish
Now that you know how to tell if fish is cooked, you can put your knowledge to work and actually cook some fish. We’re sharing our Test Kitchen’s favorite methods for cooking perfectly cooked fish. Get all the info you need on how to bake fish, how to fry fish (including pan-frying), and how to grill fish. Each of these cooking methods results in tender, flaky fish perfect for weeknight dinners or dinner parties. With your newfound knowledge, you can prepare seafood pasta, fish tacos, grilled fish, or any fish dish just right! No matter what seafood dish you’re in the mood for, a restaurant-caliber dinner awaits.
