5 Pickled Fish Recipes

These Pickled Fish Recipes are perfect for all your charcuterie board needs. If you are looking for different pickled fish recipes, then you have come to the right place!!

Choose from pickled pike, pickled fish with cod, pickled tilapia, a general pickled fish recipe for any whitefish, and Indian style pickled fish. This Indian style pickled fish is a different method of pickling fish, so you might want to give it a try.

Pickled Cod, Pickled Pike and Pickled Tilapia -Quart glasses jar full of pickled fish surrounded by sliced onion, peppers, a small wooden spoon full of pickling spice and a large onion, with half peppers. — Pickled Cod, Pickled Pike and Pickled Tilapia

Pickled herring was a classic recipe that I had when I was growing up. Do you have an excess of fresh fish? Then make pickle fish!

Pickled fish in a jar recipe has been in my family for many, many years and has stood the test of time. A two-step process is needed to make this great fish recipe.

The first step requires a salt brine solution to be made for soaking the fish chunks in for the first 5 days. This step helps to dissolve any bones and cures the raw fish.

The second step is making the sweet pickling solution to store the cured fish into as it processes in the refrigerator for another 5 days until the fish is ready to eat. DO NOT SKIP THESE STEPS OR PROCESS IT TOO FAST!!

You will be disappointed in the final product if you do. Making your own pickled fish is the only way to go!!

As an Amazon Associate, a Walmart Affiliate, and a member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!

Pickled Fish Ingredients

All common ingredients needed to make your pickled fish recipe.

Any White Fish Fillets – cut them into 1-inch pieces
Table Salt
White Vinegar (do not use flavored vinegars)
Granulated Sugar
Pickling Spices (Make your own or purchase at your local grocery store)
Peppers – Use bell or sweet peppers, different colors work best
Sweet White Onion

Pickled Fish Ingredients - Quart glass jar tagged with a cod sign, bowls of sliced white onion and bell peppers, wooden bowls of the brined cod, a wooden spoon with pickling spice, a container of the pickling solution along with a whole onion, and pepper pieces. — Pickled Fish Ingredients

How to Make Easy Pickle Fish?

This is the 10-day plan that combines two-step treatment processes. Take your food and prepare this simple recipe.

This recipe uses any type of firm whitefish. Freeze the fish if necessary to stop parasite infestation.

Cut fish fillets into 1-inch sections but make sure to cut off the fish skins before starting. Make the salt brine and soak the fish pieces for 5 days. Rinse properly before packing into the glass jar.

Does pickling fish dissolve bones?

The easiest way to enjoy northern pike is pickling. This helps eliminate the pain of consuming the Y bones by dissolving them in a rich salt, vinegar brine.

Make the Pickling Solution

Prepare the pickling spices solution by bringing all the ingredients to a boil. Follow each pickled fish recipe for the proper amounts and processing time.

Cool the pickling solution before packing the jar. This step can be done ahead of time.

Keep the pickled solution cold until ready to use. Or at least room temperature will work.

Time to pack the Pickle Fish Jar

Pickled fish in a large glass jar is the only way you should process this recipe. The large glass jar will keep out other refrigerator odors that you do not want in your precious fish recipe.

As well as keeping your sweet, pickled fish flavors away from your other refrigerator foods. The fish must be soaked in the salt brine and water for five days before removing meat.

Rinse Off Brined Pike Pieces in Cold Water.

Rinse the fish two times!!! Yes, twice! Put it in cold water every 2 hours. Drain everything out. Make sure the pickling solution is already done and cooled down.

While the brined fish pieces are soaking and being drained, focus on the vegetables. Cut thinly sliced onion. Do not use red onion because it will turn your pickle fish a different color.

Slice colorful peppers, also in thin strips. Pack your glass containers in layers. Let us start by adding a layer of fish to the bottom.

Next add some onion slices and then some pepper slices. Repeat this layering process until the jar is filled.

Layering the pickled tilapia in a quart jar surrounded by the whole and sliced onions and peppers and a bowl of brined tilapia pieces. — Layering the pickled tilapia in a quart jar.

Put cold pickling liquid solution over top of everything in the jar making sure to cover the fish and vegetables completely. It is important that you completely cover the fish chunks, so everything gets that great pickling brine flavor.

What to Serve with Pickled Fish Recipe?

An Easter tradition for many families, your local pickled fish is a must for your Easter table. Pickled fish is best eaten all year long!

Growing up my mother enjoyed pickled sliced beets, pickled hard cooked eggs, and even pickled pigs feet!! Here are some of the ways to serve pickled fish:

On a beautiful wooden charcuterie board
Serve it alongside a fresh loaf of homemade crusty bread like a toasted baguette.
Eat it on a salad
Create a tray with an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, and a side of pickled fish.
Snack on it right out of the jar!

Fully assembled wild game meat and cheese charcuterie board.

How to Store Your Pickled Fish Recipe

Store the sealed glass jar in the back of your refrigerator. Just don’t forget that it’s there.

Keep the pickled fish for up to 8 weeks, at no higher than 40°F. For the best flavor, enjoy within 4-6 weeks.

Types of Pickled Fish

Generally, all seafood can be pickled, but they’re most suitable for oily whitefish such as mackerel, pike, and herring. The fish undergo a lovely change in texture if prepared in acidic spirits.

All firm whitefish can be pickled. Try pollock, bass, cod, halibut, snapper, pike, tilapia, herring, catfish, haddock, and mahi mahi.

Other Fish Recipes

If you like different fish recipes, then try my smoke salmon, smoked fish dip, fish chowder, and baked walleye recipe.

3 Different Pickled Fish Recipes: Cod, Pike and Tilapia all in glass jars surrounded by its ingredients. — 3 Different Pickled Fish Recipes

Pickled Fish Recipes – FAQ

How long does pickled fish last?

Between four and six weeks is the general rule of thumb. Your nose will let you know when pickled fish has gone bad.

Can you pickle frozen fish?

It is recommended that you freeze your fish before you start the 10-day pickling process. Freeze fish for up to 24 hours for protection against the parasitic growth. After freezing continue with these 2 steps that take 10 days to cure your fish chunks. Get your ingredients for a simple pickling fish dish and cut your fish into tiny 1-inch sections.

Can you water bath pickled fish?

No, do not water bath your pickled fish. Boiling water bath or pressure canning on fatty meat like pickled seafood may result in a caramelized, hard texture and possibly bitter finished product. Heat-processed fish are not recommended.

Pickled Fish Recipes

Get the list of different pickled fish recipes below.

Pickle Fish Recipes

These Pickled Fish Recipes are perfect for all your charcuterie board needs. If you are looking for different pickled fish recipes, then you have come to the right place!! Choose from pickled pike, pickled fish with cod, pickled tilapia, a general pickled fish recipe for any whitefish, and Indian style pickled fish. This Indian style pickled fish is a different method of pickling fish, so you might want to give it a try.