Using up Leftover Cooked Fish
The best recipes for using leftover fish not only stretch this valuable protein to feed a number of eaters, they also protect the meat from overcooking which will toughen and dry it out.
Leftover Fish Rillettes
Rillettes are spreads made of cooked meat. Strongly flavored fish such as cooked salmon or bluefish are perfect for this appetizer, which is spread on crackers or crostini. Blend your leftover flaked fish with some cream cheese that has been brought to room temperature and thinned with a little sour cream or yogurt to a spreadable consistency. Add lemon zest, capers or dill to taste. This party trick can be served immediately or covered and refrigerated for up to two days.
Leftover Fish Cakes
Croquettes are not only an efficient way to dispatch with leftover fish but can also be frozen for a quick heat-and-eat meal. Make them bite size and you will have co*cktail nibbles on hand any time. (see recipe below)
Leftover Fish Tacos
Slather warmed corn tortillas with a spicy mayo (simply mayonnaise spiked with a bit of hot sauce) and a few shreds of lettuce or cabbage. Very briefly toss leftover flaked fish or chopped shellfish in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a few tablespoons of fish to each taco, squeeze a bit of lime on top and serve.
Leftover Fish Chowder
There are so many recipes for fish chowder; creamy, New England style; tomato based Manhattan; and Sherry-spiked southern versions just to name a few. Substitute leftover cooked fish for the raw seafood called for and add it just at the end of cooking to preserve the texture. Any kind of mild flavored fish will do and shellfish such as lobster and shrimp feel downright decadent.
Leftover Fish Fried Rice
Quick cooking fried rice serves as a versatile background for any leftover fish, particularly if you are using leftover rice that was served with the original fish dish. In a large sauté pan or wok, quickly scramble two eggs in a bit of neutral flavored oil, such as organic canola, and remove to a plate. Add an onion and sauté until it begins to brown. Add any chopped, cooked vegetables you have on hand, a cup or two of leftover rice and some soy sauce. Heat through, stir in leftover fish and serve.
Leftover Fish Pasta
Creamy, lemony pasta makes an elegant foil to leftover fish. Sauté a shallot in butter, add a splash of white wine, the zest and juice of a lemon and a cup or so of cream. Simmer until thickened, add your fish and toss with cooked pasta and you are dinner party ready.
Leftover Fish Curry
Curries, whether Indian or Thai, are a welcoming cover for leftover fish. Go easy on the spice so you don’t completely disguise the delicate flavor of the seafood. And be sure to add it right at the end of cooking—just a quick reheat in the lively curry sauce is all you need.
Chilled Leftover Fish Dishes
Leftover Fish Grain Bowl
Pair flaked leftover fish with grains, such as quinoa, wheat berries, or even grain-sized pasta such as couscous or orzo for a base to a healthful, satisfying grain bowl. Add some greens and/or chopped vegetables and drizzle with your favorite dressing or simply a bit of vinegar and oil.
Leftover Fish Thai Summer Rolls
Thai summer rolls traditionally contain cooked shrimp but there’s no reason you can’t substitute with whatever leftover fish you have on hand. The lovely glassine wrappers show off the beauty of the ingredients and will provide a window to your special twist on the classic. Serve with spicy peanut sauce or a vinegar-based dip for a great light lunch or fun dish for entertaining.
Leftover Shellfish Salad
A generously seasoned creamy base, studded with chopped celery, makes a welcoming start to seafood salad. Add crab, shrimp, or lobster and serve over salad or on toasted rolls for a special lunch treat.
Recipe: Leftover Fish Cakes
Sherri Brooks Vinton
Serves 4
This recipe is not only a great way to use up leftover fish, it is also a handy way to freeze leftover portions without sacrificing quality. I love to have these on hand in my freezer for a quick meal when time is short. You can serve them sandwich style—on a buttery roll slathered with tartar sauce—or perch one on top of a salad.
Ingredients
1 egg
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay
1 piece of bread, shredded into crumbs
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup leftover fish, flaked
1/4 cup neutral oil such as organic canola
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk egg, mayonnaise, mustard and seafood seasoning until combined.
- Add the bread and sprinkle it with milk to moisten.
- Add fish and stir to combine.
- Form into patties and arrange on a cookie sheet. Refrigerate for at least half an hour and up to two hours.
- Heat oil in a medium sauté pan.
- Sauté patties over medium heat until browned, about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Serve hot.
FAQs
Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth.
What to do with day old cooked fish? ›
Fish left over recipes (161)
- Easy Leftover Salmon Patties. ...
- Leftover green banana with local fish curry. ...
- Leftover Crispy Rice. ...
- Fish Omelette 🍳 ...
- Fish tail chicken bread. ...
- Fish Shaped Parathas. ...
- Fish Cutlet. ...
- Fish tacos with mango salsa and yoghurt-lime sauce.
Fish left over recipes (357)
- Fish and Chips Sandwich from leftovers. ...
- Fish left over recipe. ...
- Leftover fish and coleslaw sandwiches. ...
- Leftover Fish Pie. ...
- Leftover Salmon-Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo. ...
- Spicy Mango Sauce (for fish or chicken) ...
- Smoked Salmon Temarizushi with Leftover Rice.
Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth.
What can I do with leftover fish parts? ›
There are lots of things that you can do with fish heads beyond just throwing them away, which we've listed below:
- 1) Make Fish Stock. The first thing you should do with a fish head is make stock out of it. ...
- 2) Fish Head Soup. ...
- 3) Deep-Fried or Steamed Fish Heads. ...
- 4) Fish Bait. ...
- 5) Fish Head Curry.
However, most people recover quickly without treatment, and symptoms are usually gone within 12 to 24 hours. Home treatment for mild to moderate symptoms includes taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and drinking fluids to prevent dehydration.
What to do with fish you don t want? ›
Help your fish find a home with someone who will care for them. Fish adoption is a real thing! Donate your fish to a pet store, school or learning institution, or advertise that you will give your fish away for free. Check out online forums dedicated to the adoption of unwanted pets.
What can I do with leftover fish and chips? ›
Put your leftover fish and chips in a blender and mix until you reach a fine consistency. Mix an egg into the fish and chips, and season to taste. Form small patties with the mixture and coat in breadcrumbs. Fry in a shallow pan for around 5 minutes, or until the patties reach a slightly golden colour.
What can you get from too much fish? ›
Health Risks
Mercury can harm brain development at relatively low levels and can be toxic to adults at high levels. Mercury is found in nearly all fish and is the biggest concern for eating fish. Other pollutants that are sometimes found in fish can cause cancer or other health problems.
Is 5 day old fish safe to eat? ›
Raw fish and shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less) only 1 or 2 days before cooking or freezing. After cooking, store seafood in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage.
Seafood dishes like shrimp and grits or gumbo can taste even better heated up the next day. Some fish, like leftover salmon, won't hold up as well. These leftover can easily be re-imagined into another meal. Hearty leftover fish like salmon and tuna often taste better cold.
How to tell if fish has gone bad? ›
Fish has gone bad if it's 1 or 2 days past the sell-by date on the packaging. This indicates that the fish's freshness is gone and the meat has expired. Other signs include cloudy eyes, a slimy coating, a sour smell, mushiness, or discoloration. Discard spoiled fish and sanitize any surfaces it has touched.
How do you use fish offcuts? ›
The easiest way to use your fish waste is by simply burying the contents. We suggest burying it over a foot deep to reduce any smell and to avoid your dog digging it up. Plant over the top and after some time, the fish will slowly decompose, releasing nutrients into your soil.
What can be made from fish waste? ›
Fish waste by-products are used for a variety of things, including human consumption (such as mince, roe, fish heads, and nutraceuticals), agricultural or related purposes (such as fertilizer and compost), and non-nutritional uses (such as biodiesel and fuel, chitin and chitosan, carotenoid pigments, leather, and ...
How to use fish scraps? ›
How can you use fish scraps as fertilizer? To go the easy route you can bury whole chunks of fish parts at the base of your plant or at least a foot deep and then plant over. Or grind the fish parts to make your own fertilizer. I would recommend a hand grinder and not a kitchen blender as it is easier to clean.
Can you reheat cooked fish the next day? ›
You don't have to throw out leftover fish fillets or shellfish after dinner. You can safely reheat seafood for up to 4 days after it has been cooked. Seafood dishes with garlic or onions can taste even better the second time around. The only challenge to reheating seafood is that it can dry out or get a fishy smell.
Is it OK to eat day old fish? ›
Raw fish and shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less) only 1 or 2 days before cooking or freezing. After cooking, store seafood in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage.
How do you reheat day old fried fish? ›
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread your fish in a dish or pan and cover it with loose foil if it is unbreaded. If your fish is breaded or battered, you can leave it uncovered to help return the crispiness; however, you may lose the moisture. Reheat the fish for 10-15 minutes and flip it over every 5 minutes.
Can you eat fish one day past use by? ›
While smoked fish, like salmon or kippers, can last up to three days in the fridge after the “use-by” date, fresh fish should be thrown away before 24 hours. You should also be wary of cooked meats and processed pies, which can also cause food poisoning if eaten after their specified dates.
