Caribbean Pan Fried King Fish Recipe

This pan fried king fish recipe is pretty simple to make.

Season the fish with Caribbean herbs and a couple spices and fry until crispy.

That’s it! Such a simple way to make this sturdy fish.

Ingredients for this fried king fish recipe

For this recipe, I used:

  • king fish fillets
  • flour
  • lime juice
  • salt
  • Caribbean green seasoning with garlic, chadon beni (culantro) and ginger (or use cilantro as a substitute for culantro)
  • turmeric powder
  • pepper
  • oil for frying

You can add any other fresh herbs and flavorings you enjoy too. Consider using thyme, basil, oregano, pimento pepper, and more.

How to make this pan fried king fish recipe

Prepare the king fish fillets

If you’ve bought the king fish fillets frozen, be sure to defrost them fully before preparing them.

Step 1: If you’ve bought the fillets fresh, then scrape off any blood you see like on the bone. When you’re done, give the pieces a quick rinse.

Step 2: Next, rub the fish with lime juice and flour. Massage them into the fillets for a minute or so to remove the freshness and any fishiness from the meat. Then, rinse off the fillets.

Step 3: Now, it’s time for seasoning. I most often use salt, Caribbean green seasoning, turmeric and pepper. The Caribbean green seasoning here is made by grinding garlic, chadon beni or culantro leaves, and sometimes a small piece of ginger. Of course, you can add any of your favorite herbs here or substitute culantro for the milder cilantro.

I use turmeric powder in many of my meals because I grow the turmeric and process the powder myself. It has many health benefits so I try to incorporate it in many of my dishes. You can leave it out if you like.

seasoned king fish fillets

Step 4: Mix the seasonings into the fish. You can fry immediately or cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes or so to marinate. This is how to make king fish taste amazing. Those seasonings infuse into the flesh and add so much wonderful flavor.

Fry the fillets

Step 5: When you are ready to fry the fillets, place a small pot on medium heat. Add a little vegetable oil to the pot and leave to heat up.

Step 6: Now, king fish steak fillets are very sturdy, so you do not have to batter before frying – they will hold their shape on their own. However, I like a crispy crust, so I usually rub in a little flour and black pepper all over the fillets.

floured king fish fillets

Step 7: When the oil is nice and hot, add the fillets. It’ll take about 4 to 5 minutes for the flour to crisp up nicely. Flip over and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.

pan frying king fish fillets

It takes roughly eight to ten minutes for the fillets to fully cook. When the king fish is cooked, its flesh goes from dark and translucent to white and flaky.

Serve hot as a side dish for dhal and rice. Or with fry bake and lots of veggies and sauces. There are many of options for pan fried king fish.

caribbean pan fried king fish

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Caribbean pan fried king fish recipe


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5 from 1 vote

Caribbean fried king fish

This pan fried king fish is tasty and full of flavor from chadon beni, garlic, and turmeric. Enjoy it as a seafood side option for lunch.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: fried king fish
Servings: 4
Author: Ros Singh

Ingredients

  • 4 king fish fillets
  • 4 tbsp flour (2 tbsp to wash the raw fish; 2 tbsp for batter before frying)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • tsp salt
  • tbsp Caribbean green seasoning (with garlic, chadon beni, ginger)
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp pepper (optional)
  • ¼ cup oil for frying

Instructions

  • Defrost fillets if frozen.
  • Scrape off any blood spots in the bone. Rinse.
  • Rub flour and lime juice into the fillets.
  • Rinse the fillets.
  • Rub in green seasoning, salt, turmeric and pepper.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to marinate (optional).
  • Rub flour onto the fillets (optional).
  • Place a small pot on medium heat.
  • Add oil and allow to heat up.
  • Place the fillets in the hot oil.
  • Leave to fry for 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Flip over.
  • Fry for another 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove from oil.
  • Serve hot.

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