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Home Fish recipes

Fish Seasoning (great all-rounder)

By:Nagi
Published:28 Jun '21Updated:8 Dec '23
60 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

A good Fish Seasoning is an easy way to make any fish delicious – fast! This spice rub mix is based on Old Bay Seasoning and is a combination of spices for fish that works really well together. I’ve used flathead fillets today, but it can be used for any fish suitable for pan frying.

Close up of freshly cooked flathead fillets with Fish Seasoning - Spice Rub for Fish

A great fish seasoning spice mix

This might be “just” a simple recipe for a spice mix, but it’s excellent one to know because of its versatility and will serve you for years to come. It might even end up being THE seasoning for fish you end up using forever more!!!

This mix is based on the ingredients printed on Old Bay Seasoning tins. Old Bay Seasoning is a classic American spice blend that’s been around for more than 70 years. It was originally created for seasoning prawns (shrimp) and crab but has evolved over time into an all-purpose spice, used with everything from corn and chicken to potatoes and seafood.

Rather than being a direct copycat of Old Bay, I’ve tweaked this spice mix slightly to make it most ideal for fish. At least, to my tastes!

  • Bowl with Fish Seasoning - Spice Rub for Fish
    Homemade fish seasoning
  • Raw flathead fillets with Fish Seasoning - Spice Rub for Fish
    Flathead fillets sprinkled with homemade fish seasoning

Seasoning spices for Fish

Here are the spices that go into this Fish Seasoning mix, based on Old Bay Seasoning as mentioned earlier. Plenty of substitutions listed below.

Ingredients in Fish Seasoning - Spice Rub for Fish

Here’s brief description on some of the less common spices, plus substitution options.

  • Celery salt (key ingredient) – This is the salt base for this spice mix for fish. It’s a flavoured salt made from mixing ground celery seeds with salt. Though it doesn’t taste or smell like anything special out of the bottle, it’s got sparkle! When part of a seasoning, it adds a subtle extra layer of savoury flavour.

    In fact, celery salt is one of the “secret ingredients” in things like KFC seasoning and Old Bay. You’ve probably had it in more dishes than you realised when eating snack foods or at restaurants.

    It’s common these days, easily found in the spice aisle of grocery stores. Substitute with ordinary salt, or make your own celery salt using celery leaves (see recipe notes);

  • Mace – This is a spice used in Old Bay Seasoning which is why it’s made its way into this recipe! Derived from the nutmeg tree, it tastes a bit like nutmeg and allspice. We only use a bit so it’s not a key ingredient (1/8 tsp out of 4 tsp of total Fish Seasoning). Substitute with nutmeg, allspice, or even pumpkin pie spice;

  • Mustard powder – Substitute with 1/4 tsp ginger powder;

  • Smoked paprika – Substitute with plain paprika;

  • Allspice – Substitute with mixed spice;

  • Clove – Substitute with nutmeg or mixed spice;

  • Ginger – Substitute with more mustard powder;

  • Cayenne – Substitute with pure chilli powder;

  • Ground cardamom – Substitute with equal parts cinnamon plus nutmeg.


Fish to use with Fish Seasoning

I’ve used flathead in this recipe. The beauty of this fish seasoning is that it’s a great all-rounder that will work with virtually any type of fish that is suitable for pan-frying. This includes:

  • White fish fillets – any;

  • Salmon, trout, swordfish;

  • Tuna (cooked rare, like this)

Plate of raw flathead fillets
Flathead fillets
  • Skinless and boneless fish fillets work best here. The seasoning is nice on fish skin too, but I just think it works better on the flesh;

  • Pan-frying is the best cooking method. The direct heat cooks and rounds out the spices, while you get lovely caramelisation on the fish;

  • Oven-roasting won’t really work. This is because you can’t leave fillets in long enough to cook the spices through, ie. you end up with raw spice flavour which isn’t that pleasant;

  • Finish the fish in oven if you have thick fillets. If you have very thick fish fillets, say > 2.5cm / 1″ thick, it’s best to finish in the oven. So, firstly pan-fry to get lovely colour on the surface, then pop the pan into a 180°C / 350°F oven for 5 minutes or so until they are cooked through.


How to use this Fish Seasoning

The nice thing about this seasoning is that you can add a dab of butter into the pan at the end so it mixes in with the spices and you have yourself a lovely flavoured butter sauce to drizzle over your fish!

How to cook fish with fish seasoning
  1. Make spice mix – Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. This will keep for a couple of months in an airtight container. The recipe makes 1 batch of seasoning which is enough to season fish for 4 people;

  2. Sprinkle on fish fillets – Sprinkle on both sides of the fish, then lightly rub to spread with your fingers;

  3. Pan fry – Pan fry fish in a little butter until golden on both sides; and

  4. Rest fish – Rest fish for 3 minutes before serving. This is an essential step with any protein you cook to allow the juices in the flesh to redistribute and settle back into the flesh. This way, the juices end up in your mouth where they belong, instead of running out all over the plate when you cut into the fish!

Freshly cooked flathead seasoned with homemade spice mix for fish
Flathead fillets cooked with seasoning on a plate, fresh off the stove
Flathead fillets pictured with a side of Garlic Sautéed Spinach and crispy pan fried thin potato slices.

Keeps for months!

This is a great spice mix to make up a big jar of and keep in the pantry on standby. It should keep for 2 to 3 months, provided the spices you use are fresh.

To use, allow 1 teaspoon per standard serving of fish which is 160 – 180g / 6oz per person.

I know I’m advertising this seasoning mix recipe as a spice rub for fish. But really it’s is a great all-rounder too that can be used for any cooked seafood dishes. Here are some ideas:

  • Shrimp / prawns – Sprinkle then pan fry in butter;

  • Lobster / crayfish – Sprinkle then broil / grill with a little melted butter or olive oil;

  • Fish kebabs – Cut fish pieces into cubes, sprinkle with seasoning then thread on to skewers. BBQ or cook on stove;

  • Sprinkle a little on any fish or seafood soup, stew or pie.

Love to know what you think if you give this a go! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Freshly cooked flathead seasoned with homemade spice mix for fish

Fish Seasoning – for any fish

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Main
Western
4.87 from 23 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. This is a great spice seasoning for fish that makes for a quick and easy way to add flavour to fish. Based on Old Bay Seasoning, it's a combination of spices that works really well together.
I've used flathead fillets today, but it can be used for any fish suitable for pan-frying. Don't worry if you don't have all the spices, there's plenty of subs.
Allow ~180g/6oz fish per person.

Ingredients

Fish Seasoning (Note 1 for subs):

  • 1 tsp celery salt (or 3/4 tsp salt]
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp mace
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground clove
  • 1/8 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or pure chilli powder)
  • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom

Fish:

  • 750g / 1.5lb fish fillets , skinless, boneless (I used flathead, Note 2)
  • 45g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 30g / 2 tbsp Extra unsalted butter – for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

  • Fish Seasoning: Place ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. It will keep for months in an airtight container. This quantity is enough for 750g / 1.5lb fish (serves 4 people)

Seasoning and cooking fish:

  • Season fish: Sprinkle Seasoning on both sides of fish. Lightly rub to spread Seasoning.
  • Cook fish in two batches: Melt 30g / 2tbsp butter in large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook fish until golden on each side (see Cook times below). Remove to a plate.
  • Cook remaining fish: Melt remaining butter in skillet and cook remaining fish.
  • Rest: Rest fish for 3 minutes before serving with extra butter sauce (see next step).
  • Extra butter sauce (optional): Add extra butter into pan over medium heat and melt until foaming. Drizzle over fish when serving.

Recipe Notes:

FISH COOKING TIMES:
  • Rule of thumb: Two minutes each side for every 1.25 cm / 0.5″ thick fillet. So a 1.25cm / 0.5″ thick fillet will take 4 minutes in total.
  • Fish should flake easily – this means it is cooked.
  • Internal temperature of cooked fish:
    • 55°C / 131°F for white fish – this gives a medium result, with no rare or raw flesh, and the fish at optimum juiciness
    • 50°C / 122°F for salmon (medium-rare)
  • Very thick fillets: For fish > 2.5cm / 1″ thick, pan sear until golden then finish in oven (keep in pan) at 180°C/350°F until it reaches cooked internal temp. 
  • Salmon and trout: OK to pan-fry fully (ie. without an oven to finish) as they have higher fat content. Cook for 3 minutes each side as a good rule of thumb (for the thicker parts).

1. Substitutes for spices:
  • Celery salt – 3/4 tsp kosher / cooking salt, or make your own (Note 3)
  • Mustard powder – 1/4 tsp ginger powder*
  • Smoked paprika – plain paprika
  • Mace – nutmeg or all spice
  • All spice – Mixed spice
  • Clove – nutmeg or mixed spice
  • Ginger – more mustard powder*
  • Cayenne – pure chilli powder
  • Ground cardamom – equal parts cinnamon plus nutmeg
* These doesn’t taste similar but are suitable alternatives for a different flavour sub that works here.
2. Pan-fried fish – best to be fish up to around 2 – 2.25cm / 0.8 – 0.9″ thick. If much thicker, finish it off in the oven at 180°C/350°F.
Skinless is better as the rub is best on flesh rather than skin. But it works just fine on skin too.
Fish fillets purchased from fish mongers should always be boneless. Check with them when you buy it to ensure your fish is pin boned (for typical retail fish stores, this service is built into the price).
3. Celery salt: This is an excellent substitute for plain salt, adding an extra layer of savoury flavour into any dish. It’s the “secret ingredient” in things like KFC, Old Bay, and is used in restaurants. Just use in place of ordinary salt in any savoury dish.
Celery salt recipe: Mix equal parts celery powder + salt.
To make celery powder, spread celery leaves on a baking tray in a single layer. Bake at 180°C/350°F for 20 – 30 minutes until fully dry. Then grind into fine powder using tool of choice (spice grinder, mortar and pestle). The result is celery powder. 1 cup celery leaves yields ~1.5 tablespoons celery powder.
Alternatively, 1.5 tsp celery seeds when ground will yield 1 tsp celery powder.
4. Nutrition includes white fish fillet.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 265cal (13%)Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 38g (76%)Fat: 13g (20%)Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 118mg (39%)Sodium: 681mg (30%)Potassium: 588mg (17%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 555IU (11%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 25mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: fish seasoning, spice mix for fish, spices for fish
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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60 Comments

  1. Sharon C says

    November 25, 2023 at 9:34 am

    5 stars
    This is an incredible go-to recipe. Every time we have flathead now in our household, this is what everyone wants! I’m making the rub in batches now to have on standby. Thank you

    Reply
  2. Maria says

    September 20, 2023 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    Made this with sea bass last night. Not only did it taste amazing, it was super super fast. Will be making a batch of the seasoning to keep and use as needed. Thank you, once again, Nagi!

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    April 5, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    2 stars
    Not for me sadly – I love Old Bay seasoning but I found the taste of the clove overwhelming in this mix. I am a huge fan of the spice mix for pork (indescribably good!) but I won’t be revisiting this one.

    Reply
  4. Chris says

    January 4, 2022 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    I made this today minus the celery salt (I don’t like it) and it was fantastic!! I sprinkled it on Chilean sea bass with a couple pats of ghee and baked it. A winner and now in the permanent rotation. In fact, I may make it again tomorrow. 🤣.
    I had no idea the various spices would come together so well on the palate. It’s literally perfect. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Robyn says

    October 22, 2021 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this seasoning mix, Nagi.
    It is so yummy and it’s fantastic to find a seasoning mix to make that is qualifies as Low FODMAP (it doesn’t contain garlic powder or onion powder).
    Again, a thousand plus thank you’s. You rock!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      December 19, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      Not sure about low FODMAP because of the celery salt. Best to investigate.

      Reply
  6. Mrs. Davidson says

    September 15, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Could the seasoning be mixed in with flour if the fish is to be deep fried?

    Reply
  7. Lisa Figueroa says

    August 31, 2021 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    This seasoning is amazing!! My mother-in-law who hates fish, loved it!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      Woah, you’ve converted her now!! N x

      Reply
  8. Joael says

    August 7, 2021 at 10:27 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been trying all kinds of fish seasonings and hated all of them. Typically, they were so strong that they overwhelmed the flavor of the fish. As always, you came to the rescue! I don’t know how you can have so many spices and still taste the fish, but you did it. I didn’t have celery salt, so I substituted with celery seeds and salt. I like it so much I almost hate to change it. Good work, Nagi!

    Reply
  9. Jenny says

    July 30, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    This pan fried fish was really really nice. It’s a recipe I would normally not have looked at but the comments by others convinced me to try this spice rub. I’m glad I did and it was so easy to cook. I served it with coleslaw and a tossed salad.

    Reply
  10. Lana says

    July 22, 2021 at 7:05 am

    5 stars
    Really tasty rub. We had an issue with our salmon (we opted for salmon) being on the rare side in the thickest part and that’s because I found the rub was smoking and burning quickly. The fillets were fried on low heat, on a gas burner and watched closely but I had to take them off about 40 seconds too early due to surface burning (and lots of smoke haha). I’m guessing it’s because of the smoked paprika which tends to burn quickly?

    At any rate, great flavor. Thank you for all your brilliant, easy to follow recipes. 💛

    Reply
  11. Roslyn says

    July 13, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    We really enjoyed this seasoning, it was delicious. I’m 67 and finally learning how to cook thanks to you Nagi. That’s no mean feat, You’re a miracle worker.

    Reply
  12. Apteryxnz says

    July 13, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    I’ve saved hundreds of recipes over the years. Yours is the first ever website. Everything is superbly explained with extra detail like cooking times per size; seed to ground measures etc. I want to eat and make everything on your site. many many thanks

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2021 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks so much, I really appreciate the great feedback!! N x

      Reply
  13. Renee says

    July 8, 2021 at 9:13 am

    Two things:
    1) Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes. I am at this site several times a week. S0, thank you again!
    2) How do you think this recipe would be with king clip. I have a nice fillet, but it’s a new fish for me and I was looking for ideas for preparation. Things that I’ve read suggest you’re all more familiar with this fish than I 🙂

    Reply
  14. Evangeline Welfare says

    July 7, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    SOOO TASTY!!!!

    Reply
  15. Amy Morgan says

    July 6, 2021 at 2:38 am

    5 stars
    The crunchy bits left in the skillet are even better than the fish itself 😜

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 6, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Yes – those are the BEST! (Shh don’t tell anyone – they are the chefs treats) N x

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 8, 2021 at 12:43 pm

        You’re so right! I didn’t serve any of them… ate them all myself! This recipe is wonderful. I used it on cod fillets for supper this evening…absolutely delicious! This recipe will be clipped into my “favorites” binder. You (and Dozer) do a fantastic job with your site! THANK YOU for all your hard work.

        Reply
  16. sam tierney says

    July 2, 2021 at 8:50 am

    I signed up months ago, but did not receive e-books. Maybe I missed it. Can you send again please?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 2, 2021 at 7:48 pm

      Hi Sam, please send me an e-mail and I can send these direct to you! ❤️ N x

      Reply
      • sam says

        July 3, 2021 at 8:00 am

        btw, made your celery salt yesterday – happened to need to buy celery – yummy! I use your recipes quite a lot, more than most. Sam

        Reply
  17. Kerry says

    July 1, 2021 at 9:43 am

    We had this on salmon last night and it was really nice! Going to make a double batch for the spice drawer and try it on chicken fillets.
    Loved the postcards from Tasmania, thank you!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 1, 2021 at 11:58 am

      Yes perfect Kerry!! N x

      Reply
  18. Robin says

    June 30, 2021 at 6:29 am

    I want to try this, but will omit cayenne and mustard. I have to get celery salt. I have never tried it but will use it.
    Can I add panko bread crumbs in the spice mixture? I usually use panko in fish.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 30, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      Hi Robin, you can even make your own celery salt (see the recipe notes for this). You can ad Panko if you like but I find this mix doesn’t need it. N x

      Reply
  19. Sharon says

    June 29, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi, this spice was a perfect rub for our freshly caught pink snapper. Will definitely be our favourite rub and loved the butter in the pan to make a bit of a dressing 💕

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 30, 2021 at 6:18 pm

      Yum, nothing like freshly caught fish Sharon!! N x

      Reply
  20. Helena says

    June 29, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    Hey Nagi hope you are well. Thanks for this new post. So grateful for your website. Will cook it in the future as I only made the “poor mans lobster” recipe 2 nights ago. Absolute delish – couldn’t get monk fish so bought blue eyed cod. End result was very similar. Served with the pea purée- mash and salad. Was delicious. Just want to say how appreciative I am of this free website with amazing cookery content. I’ve been on this website daily for over 2-3 years. There is not another website that I visit this frequently. It is my go too my comfort. You really are a god send for families and couples(me). I actually can’t believe your content is free. Both the videos and written copy are informative and give you the best chance of producing a delicious meal. I think it’s amazing that beginners can confidently cook of the instruction you give. Well done😘 I always eagerly await the new recipe. Tonight I coooked buttery rice and oven baked chicken breast. Really want to thank you for the Chinese take out recipes. I no longer order this in😛thanks to you I do it better. Safe travels back to Sydney #nagiisthebiz#gratitude

    Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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