Fish Cooking Times

Worldwide

These are quick reference time tables for folks who understand the methods given in our complete method pages (links with each table).

Baking Time Table

You'll see many recipes that give times much shorter than mine. Mine are longer because I've tried theirs. A fish that's baked a few minutes longer than needed is still just fine, but a fish that's under done is a disaster, particularly as you try to disassemble it for serving.

Most refrences say "Cook until opaque and flakes easily" which can be difficult to determine without destroying the product. FDA guidelines are an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C for 15 seconds, or 165°F/74°C for stuffed fish (higher 'cause they have no idea what you've stuffed it with).

For full details see our Baking Fish page.

For oven preheated to 425°F/220°C Add up all lines that apply		Example **
First inch of thickness	10 minutes	10
Each additional 1/2 inch	5 minutes	5
Wrapped in foil	10 minutes	10
On foil uncovered	5 minutes
In an uncovered dish	10 minutes
In a foil covered dish	15 minutes
Stuffed fish	10 minutes
Not thawed before cooking	10 minutes
TOTAL minutes		25

** Example, Fish 1-1/2 inch thick, thawed, not stuffed, wrapped in foil.

Grilling Time Table

These times are, of course highly approximate because different grills vary a lot, so keep your eye on that fish! For full details see our Grilling Fish page.

Fire Medium Hot for All Selections
Fish Form	Size	Grilling Time	Done When
Whole Fish	1/2# to 1-1/2#	6 to 9 minutes per 8 ounces	Flakes
Fillets, Steaks, Cubes	1/2" to 1" thick	4 to 6 minutes per 1/2" thickness	Flakes
Shrimp (on skewer)	Medium (20 / pound) Large (12 to 15 / pound)	5 to 8 minutes 7 to 9 minutes	Opaque
Scallops (on skewer)	12 to 15 / pound)	5 to 8 minutes	Opaque
Lobster Tails	6 ounces 8 ounces	6 to 10 minutes 12 to 15 minutes	Opaque

Steaming Time Table

For full details see our Steameing Fish page.

For steaming at or near sealevel Add up all lines that apply		Example **
First inch of thickness	10 minutes	10
Each additional 1/2 inch	5 minutes
Stuffed fish	8 minutes
Wrapped Packet	10 minutes	10
on an uncovered dish	10 minutes
In a foil covered dish	10 minutes
TOTAL minutes		20

** Example, banana leaf packets, contents 1 inch thick.

NOTES:

U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch

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