Steaming Fish Perfection: Instant Pot, Quick Tips

Cooking fish in an instant pot is a great way to make a quick, easy, and healthy dinner. The instant pot is an electric pressure cooker with pre-programmed settings that make cooking fish a breeze. The instant pot can cook fish to tender, flaky perfection in just a few minutes, and it can even be used to cook frozen fish with minimal prep work.

To cook fish in an instant pot, you'll need a few simple ingredients and an instant pot with a steamer basket or trivet. You can season the fish with salt, pepper, lemon, or other spices, and then place it in the steamer basket or on the trivet inside the instant pot. Add water to the bottom of the pot, set the timer for 2-3 minutes for fresh fish or 3-4 minutes for frozen, and let the instant pot work its magic.

The instant pot is a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, and it's especially great for cooking fish and vegetables together in separate pans or baskets. So, if you're looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious way to cook fish, the instant pot is a perfect choice.

How to steam fish in an instant pot

Steaming fish in an Instant Pot is a great way to cook a delicate piece of meat to perfection. It's a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare fish, and it can be done in just a few simple steps. Here's how to do it:

Prepare the Fish

Start by preparing your fish. You can use any type of fish fillet, such as salmon, tilapia, cod, halibut, or white fish. If your fish is frozen, there's no need to defrost it first. Simply place the fish fillet, whether fresh or frozen, in a steamer basket or on a trivet inside your Instant Pot. You can also wrap the fish in a parchment paper parcel to keep the flavours in. If you do this, remember to dampen the parchment paper first, then place the fish inside with any other ingredients you want to add.

Add Water and Seasonings

Next, you'll need to add water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. The amount of water required can vary, but generally, you'll need at least 1 cup for a safe cook. You can also add seasonings to the fish. This can include a pinch of salt and pepper, lemon slices, butter, olive oil, or any other spices you prefer.

Set the Timer

Once your fish is prepared and seasoned, it's time to set the timer on your Instant Pot. For fresh fish, set the timer for 2-3 minutes at high pressure. For frozen fish, set the timer for 3-4 minutes. The exact timing will depend on the thickness of your fish fillet, so you may need to adjust it accordingly. Remember to always do a quick release when the timer goes off.

Serve and Enjoy

After releasing the pressure, carefully remove the fish from the Instant Pot and serve it immediately. You can enjoy your steamed fish as it is or with a side of rice, couscous, or vegetables.

Tips

• Play with the flavours! You can experiment with different ingredients such as harissa paste, aioli, soy sauce, lime juice, or sweet chilli sauce.
• Remember to always use the quick-release function when steaming fish to avoid overcooking.
• The timing for steaming fish can vary depending on the thickness of the fillet, so adjust the time as needed.
• If you're cooking vegetables alongside your fish, you can use stackable pans inside your Instant Pot to keep the flavours separate.

How to cook frozen fish in an instant pot

Ingredients

• 4-6 oz white fish (such as cod, tilapia, halibut)
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 cup water
• Pinch of salt & pepper
• Lemon slices (optional)

Method

• Pour the water into the Instant Pot bowl.
• Place a trivet or steamer basket in the bowl.
• Put the frozen fish fillet on the trivet or basket.
• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Place a slice of butter and some lemon slices on top of the fish (if using).
• Replace the lid and set the vent to SEALING.
• Set to MANUAL, high pressure, and adjust the time:

• 8 minutes for fish less than 1 inch thick
• 12 minutes for fish 1-2 inches thick

• Once the timer goes off, do a QUICK RELEASE of the pressure and remove the lid.
• The temperature in the middle of the fish should be at least 140-145°F.
• Serve with rice or herb couscous.

Tips

• If the fish isn't cooked through, reset the timer and cook for a couple of extra minutes.
• The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish.
• You can use any type of fish fillet, but the cooking time may vary.
• You can add other seasonings, such as Italian or Cajun-style seasoning.
• You can also experiment with substituting broth for water, or adding garlic cloves, fresh herbs, onions or shallots.

What vegetables to serve with steamed fish

Steamed fish is a delicious and healthy meal, and you can easily cook it in an instant pot with a steamer basket. But what vegetables should you serve with it?

Well, you could try steaming the fish on top of vegetables, using the moisture from the vegetables to cook the fish. This method also prevents the fish from sitting in liquid. The trick is to get the timing right. Add the fish about 5 to 10 minutes before your food is finished cooking, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Thinner fillets will be done in 5 minutes, while thicker ones may take a little longer.

Some suggested vegetables to use with this method include leeks, snap peas, and portabella mushrooms. You could also add fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary for extra flavour. Just remember to remove them before serving.

Alternatively, you could cook the vegetables separately and serve them with the fish. A simple combination of steamed broccoli and yellow squash or zucchini goes well with halibut. Or, if you're looking for something a little more substantial, try serving the steamed fish with rice or cauliflower rice.

How to prepare fish for steaming

Preparing fish for steaming in an Instant Pot is a simple and effective way to cook a healthy meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare fish for steaming:

Choosing the Fish

Firstly, you can use any type of fish fillet, such as salmon, cod, tilapia, halibut, or white fish. The cooking time may vary depending on the type and thickness of the fish, so keep that in mind when planning your meal.

Preparing the Fish

Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasonings stick to the fish and promote even cooking.

Seasoning the Fish

Sprinkle the fish fillets with your desired seasonings. You can use a pinch of salt and pepper, or get creative with other seasonings like Italian seasoning, Cajun-style seasoning, or lemon pepper. You can also add a pad of butter or a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the richness and flavor of the dish.

Additionally, you can marinate the fish for a more intense flavor. Mix ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and scallions to create a sauce, and pour it over the fish. Let the fish marinate for 20-30 minutes before placing it in the steamer basket.

Using Parchment Paper (Optional)

If you want to add more flavor to your fish or cook multiple fillets with different flavors, you can use parchment paper. Dampen a sheet of parchment paper, scrunch it up to remove excess moisture, then stretch it out again. Place the fish fillets on the paper, add your desired ingredients, and create parcels by wrapping the fish in the paper.

Placing the Fish in the Steamer Basket

Place the seasoned or marinated fish fillets in the steamer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. If you are using parchment paper parcels, place them in the basket as well.

Adding Water to the Instant Pot

Before placing the steamer basket in the Instant Pot, pour in the required amount of water. Most recipes recommend adding at least 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot to ensure safe and effective cooking.

Cooking the Fish

Place the steamer basket in the Instant Pot, ensuring that the water does not touch the bottom of the basket. Secure the lid, set the vent to "Sealing," and adjust the time according to the thickness of your fish fillets. For thinner fillets (less than 1 inch thick), set the timer for 8 minutes. For thicker fillets (1-2 inches thick), set the timer for 12 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, perform a quick release of the pressure and remove the lid. Check the temperature of the fish; it should be at least 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle. If the fish is not fully cooked, you can reset the timer for a couple of extra minutes.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed fish prepared in your Instant Pot, ready to be served and enjoyed.

How to serve steamed fish

Steamed fish is a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be prepared in an instant pot in less than 30 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to serve perfectly steamed fish:

Prepare the Fish

Start by patting the fish fillets dry with a paper towel. You can use any firm white fish such as tilapia, cod, halibut, or salmon. The fillets should be skinned and deboned, with a thickness of around 3/4 lb.

Season the Fish

Sprinkle the fish fillets with a pinch of salt and your choice of seasonings. You can use fresh basil, oregano, seasoned salt, or other herbs and spices of your choice. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavour combinations!

Prepare the Vegetables

Chop your choice of vegetables into similar-sized pieces. You can use zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, onion, bell pepper, or any other vegetables you like.

Assemble the Stackable Pans (Optional)

If you have stackable pans, you can use them to cook the fish and vegetables separately but at the same time. Place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of each pan. Put the vegetables in the larger pan and toss them with olive oil and half of the seasonings. Then, place the salted fish fillets in the smaller pan and drizzle with the remaining olive oil and seasonings. Stack the pans securely together, with the larger pan on the bottom.

Cook the Fish and Vegetables

Pour 1-2 cups of water into your instant pot. If you are using stackable pans, place them inside the pot. If not, you can use a steam rack or trivet instead. Close the lid and steam valve, and set the pot to high pressure for 20-28 minutes, depending on whether you are using stackable pans or a trivet.

Quick Release the Pressure

When the timer goes off, do a quick release by pointing the top valve to venting. This will release the pressure in the pot and prevent overcooking.

Check the Fish for Doneness

Carefully open the lid and check if the fish is cooked through. The fish should look opaque and flaky. If it still appears slightly translucent, you can add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.

Serve and Enjoy!

Once the fish is cooked to your liking, remove it from the pans and serve immediately. Steamed fish goes well with rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Frequently asked questions