(Image credit: Leela Cyd)

Which Fish Is Best?

For quick stovetop cooking, go for a white fish fillet. For today’s tutorial, we used tilapia, but any lean white fish can be cooked with this stovetop technique: tilapia, cod, bass, grouper, haddock, catfish, and snapper. If you’re in doubt, just tell the fish seller how you’re planning to cook the fish and ask them which fish they recommend.

For questions on sustainability, I recommend taking a look at the Seafood Watch:

(Image credit: Leela Cyd)

How Much Fish?

One 6- to 8-ounce fillet per person is plenty. You can cook as many fillets at a single time as will fit in your pan without crowding.

What Kind of Pan Should I Use?

This is one instance where I often turn to a non-stick skillet. It makes this already-easy cooking process even easier, and I don’t get as worried about the fish sticking to the pan and tearing.

However, the advantage of a cast-iron skillet or stainless steel skillet is that the fish tends to get a little more golden and crispy, which I love. If you use one of these skillets, use a dab more oil then you might otherwise to help keep the fish from sticking.

All this said, just use the pan you have and feel most comfortable with. This fish is meant to be an easy weeknight meal, not something fancy, so it doesn’t need to look perfect! Don’t stress too much if the fish flakes apart as you flip it or if you leave little bits behind (think of these bits as fish cracklin’s!).

What Can I Do Next?

Once you’ve mastered this basic technique, it’s yours to play with! You can brush the fillets with a glaze, coat them in crispy bread crumbs, or serve them with a simple sauce. There are a few more variations listed below.

Do you often cook fish on the stovetop? What’s your favorite way to cook it?

Use a paper towel to pat the fish dry on both sides.