HOW TO STEAM FISH IN THE MICROWAVE: FROM COD TO SALMON

CAN I COOK ANY FISH IN THE MICROWAVE?

You can cook almost any fish by steaming it in the microwave. Thick-cut fish like salmon, halibut, snapper and bass are ideal for steaming. Generally, you should avoid steaming fish with oily or firm textures. These types of fish include bluefish, swordfish and mackerel.

When setting cooking times, it is also important to consider that some fish will cook or dry out faster. Here is a helpful guide for the approximate cooking times for 6-8 oz. filets of microwave steamed fish. Times may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage. Please consult your user’s manual to be sure.

STEAMING TIMES BY TYPE OF FISH

• Salmon and Trout: 3–5 min.

• Cod, Pollack, and Whiting: 3–5 min.

• Snapper and Turbot: 4–5 min.

• Halibut: 5–7 min.

• Sea Bass: 5–8 min.

HOW TO STEAM SALMON IN THE MICROWAVE

Steaming fish helps preserve many of the nutrients and natural flavors that are sometimes lost during stovetop cooking.This easy guide gives you tips on how to prepare salmon so you can enjoy a tender, flaky steamed fish. If you want to explore steaming other fish types, the cooking method is typically similar but may require different cook times. Follow the guide for a delicious way to steam salmon in the microwave.

CAN YOU STEAM COD IN THE MICROWAVE?

Yes, cod can be steamed in the microwave. Because it’s a thicker cut of fish, cod can be prepared in a variety of ways including, steamed, fried, grilled and more. But due to its flaky texture, it only requires 3-5 minutes to steam in the microwave.

HOW TO STEAM FISH WITHOUT A STEAMER

You can steam fish without a steamer using steamer baskets like this microwave steaming container. These come in various materials and are meant to hold food or ingredients above simmering water. The food in the steamer basket cooks as the steam builds below, in a microwave-safe or heat-safe bowl.

Want to avoid handling a hot container altogether? Try using a silicone steamer over a heat-safe bowl in your microwave. Whatever method you choose, make sure the container you use is microwave-safe. If you don’t have a steaming container, a simple alternative is to add a ½ cup of water to a heat-safe dish and cover your dish with plastic wrap. The water will heat up and steam your fish.

MICROWAVE STEAMED FISH TIPS, TRICKS AND HACKS

• Add some of your favorite seasonings or spices to your fish before steaming. Some delicious options include: dill, garlic, lemon and cumin.

• Use sauces such as soy sauce or pesto for a simple way to add flavor to your fish.

• Be mindful when removing hot dishes from the microwave. Try using oven mitts when removing steam-cooked food from the microwave. 

• Certain microwaves or ovens have a Sensor Cooking feature, like the Maytag^® Over-the-Range Microwave. Refer to the product’s manual to use this setting properly. 

• Remove any unpleasant fish smells from the microwave by mixing baking soda and water in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 2-3 minutes. Then wipe the inside of your microwave clean. Learn more about how to deodorize a microwave.

WHY IS MY FISH TOUGH AFTER STEAMING?

If your fish comes out dry, tough or without flavor, it may be overcooked. This results from proteins that tighten as the fish cooks and can make it rubbery in texture. The last thing you want to eat is a flavorless and tough-to-eat fish.  

To test the done-ness of your fish, you can use a kitchen thermometer.. Fish is cooked when it is at 145°F. If a thermometer isn’t available, you can use a fork to gently poke the thickest part of the fish. If there’s no resistance, your fish is likely cooked. If there is resistance, you may want to cook it for another minute before testing it again. Don’t forget to adjust your cook times for different cuts and types of fish.