If you’re looking for a fish recipe that would wow your taste buds, you’ve come to the right place. This peppered croaker fish recipe is a special dish made with just a few aromatic spices that blend together perfectly for a mouthwatering experience!
This croaker fish stir fry is such an easy recipe that packs so much flavor that everyone can enjoy.
In Nigeria, this peppered fish is an elegant delicious dish served at parties and the tray of fish is usually emptied out pretty quickly. This recipe will show you how to create this mouthwatering delicacy at home and even wow your guests during a special occasion!
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Is croaker fish healthy?
Yes, croaker fish is very healthy! It contains a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids, and is a great source of Vitamin A, which helps improve sight, and many other vitamins.
Croaker fish also aids the smooth running of the digestive system, boosts the immune system, and aids bone health. It is low in carbs, protein-packed, and nutrient-dense.
These are just some of the wonderful health benefits of croaker fish, so the next time you want to indulge, go right ahead!
Ingredients Used
You only need very few ingredients for this simple recipe.
- Croaker fish: I use 1.5lb of yellow croaker fish for this recipe. You can also get white croaker from your local Asian or Mexican fish markets to have it cleaned and gutted.
- Vegetables: Red bell peppers, habanero pepper, onion.
- Tomato sauce: This will form the base for the sauce.
- Spices: Bouillon powder, black pepper, and salt to taste. You can also use your favourite ingredients.
- Olive oil: This is used for frying the fish.
How To Make This Recipe
- Wash and pat the fish dry with a paper towel. Also, chop the red bell pepper and the onions into rings.
- Sprinkle the fresh fish with black pepper and salt and rub it all over the fish.
- Add some oil to a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
- Once heated, place fish in the oil, skin side down, and fry for about 10 minutes on medium heat, till it is golden brown. Flip the fish a few times to make sure it is fully cooked. Your total time will depend on the size of your yellow croaker fish.
- Take out the fried fish and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the extra oil.
- In a separate pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When heated, sauté the onions in the oil for a few minutes till translucent. Pour in the tomato sauce and add bouillon, black pepper, salt, and stir.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the chopped red bell pepper and half a cup of water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on medium-low heat, till the red bell pepper is soft.
- Pour in the fried fish and stir. Simmer for a few minutes on low heat till the fish absorbs the flavors.
Recipe Video
Click on the image below to watch me make this recipe from start to finish on YouTube!
Storing and Reheating
Store your leftover peppered croaker in the refrigerator. Put it in an airtight container and then in the fridge for three to four days. It will remain fresh during this time.
You can also freeze this yellow croaker recipe. Allow it cool completely, then put it in a freezer-safe bag. You can also put it in an airtight container before freezing it. It will keep fresh for about a month.
To reheat, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Then warm it in a skillet. You can also reheat it in a microwave oven till it is hot.
What can I eat this recipe with?
This tasty fish delicacy goes perfectly with a lot of side dishes. Traditionally, this dish is usually eaten with some white rice. For a low-carb dinner, I like to enjoy this peppered croaker recipe on a bed of cauliflower rice.
Tips when making this recipe
- Make sure to pat the fish dry with a paper towel after rinsing. Wet fish will cause hot oil splatters.
- If you want to reduce the heat, add half a habanero pepper or substitute with a little cayenne pepper. You will need a little pepper to neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes.
- If you have a little extra time, marinate the fish for 30 minutes to an hour for even more flavor.
- To be sure the fish is well fried, check the internal temperature for doneness with a meat thermometer. You should get a reading of 145F for it to be safe to eat.
Recipe Variations
- If you don't want to fry the fish, you can bake it in an oven instead. Mix a marinade of olive oil, black pepper, and salt and rub it all over the fish. Then wrap it in aluminum foil and bake for 25 mins at 400F in a preheated oven. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes.
- You can use fish fillets for this recipe, but my favorite way to cook fish is to leave the skin on. It’ll make sure the fish doesn’t break while cooking.
- Garnish with some chopped parsley leaves or cilantro for a delicious variety.
Frequently asked questions
There are different ways to cook croaker fish, and they all depend on your preference. You can fry it, bake it in the oven, grill it, air fry it, or use it in a stew or stir fry.
Croaker fish, which is also called Atlantic Croaker or hardhead fish, is a small, bony fish. It is a type of fish that is usually found along the East Coast of the United States or the East China sea. It has a somewhat briny taste, and the skin is edible. Croaker fish soaks up the flavors of the seasonings you use, so it’s a good idea to marinate it first if you don’t cook it with a sauce.
You can clean croaker fish by first scaling it with an electric or manual scaler. This is necessary because croaker fish's scales are inedible. Next, carefully cut off the head, then cut the fish from belly to tail and gut it. Rinse thoroughly inside and out. However, a lot of fish markets will gut, clean, and cut it up for you.
Need more seafood dishes? Here are some of my favorite recipes!
Recipe
Croaker Fish (Nigerian Peppered Fish)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs croaker fish
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 habanero pepper you can use just 1/2
- 1/2 onion
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp bouillon powder
- 2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp to marinate, 1 tsp to cook
- 1 salt or to taste 1/2 tsp to marinate, 1/2 to cook
- 1/2 cup water
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash and pat the fish dry with a paper towel.
- Chop the red bell pepper and the onions into rings.
- Sprinkle the fresh fish with 1 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt and rub it all over the fish.
- Add some oil to a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
- Once heated, place fish in the oil, skin side down, and fry for about 10 minutes on medium heat till it is golden brown. Flip the fish a few times to make sure it is fully cooked.
- Take out the fried fish and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the extra oil.
- In a separate pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When heated, sauté the onions in the oil for a few minutes till translucent.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and add 1 tsp bouillon, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, and stir. Add the bouillon first and taste for salt before adding any.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the chopped red bell pepper and half a cup of water.
- With the pot covered, cook for 5 minutes on medium-low heat, till the red bell pepper is soft.
- Pour in the fried fish and stir. Simmer for a few minutes on low heat till the fish absorbs the flavors.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the fish dry with a paper towel after rinsing. Wet fish will cause hot oil splatters.
- If you want to reduce the heat, add half a habanero pepper or substitute with a little cayenne pepper. You will need a little pepper to neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes.
- If you have a little extra time, marinate the fish for 30 minutes to an hour for even more flavor.
- To be sure the fish is well fried, check the internal temperature for doneness with a meat thermometer. You should get a reading of 145F for it to be safe to eat.
- If you don't want to fry the fish, you can bake it in an oven instead. Mix a marinade of olive oil, black pepper, and salt and rub it all over the fish. Then wrap it in aluminum foil and bake for 25 mins at 400F in a preheated oven. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes.
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