Southwestern Fried Rockfish is an easy, delicious seafood dish! Taco mix seasoned fillets, coated in cornmeal and flour are fried until crunchy.
Today I want to share a recipe for a simple, but tasty way to cook rockfish fillets. Since I began cooking rockfish several years ago, I have enjoyed trying various recipes for this type of fish, which is fairly common on the west coast. This recipe comes from a cooking magazine I have subscribed to for years, and I discovered it many years ago (yes, I keep my old cooking magazines!).
Rockfish is also called Pacific Red Snapper, Striped Bass or Rock Cod in North America (there are a LOT of varieties). Most types of this mild-flavored fish are typically found in the northern Pacific ocean. A simple 5 ounce serving provides nearly 2/3 of a typical adult’s daily protein requirements, and is very low in calories!
This recipe for Southwestern fried rockfish is simple to prepare, and has good flavor, too. Fish fillets are coated with Taco seasoning mix, dipped in egg and then covered with a cornmeal and flour mixture before cooking. From start to finish it takes about 30 minutes to make this dish, and that INCLUDES 15 minutes of “chillin’ time” in the refrigerator. Here’s how to make this easy recipe:
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
Prepare The Rockfish
Pat the rockfish fillets dry on layers of paper towels. Place one envelope of taco seasoning mix into a large re-sealable plastic bag, and add the fish, one at a time, until coated with the spices. Shake off any excess spices back into the bag.
NOTE: In the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, I have included a “make it yourself” taco seasoning mix to use if you don’t have taco seasoning mix at home. It will coat the pound of rockfish used for this recipe.
Dip the seasoned fish fillets in a lightly beaten egg in a shallow bowl until covered on all sides, then let the excess egg drip back into the bowl. Place the egg-covered fillet into a separate bowl filled with a cornmeal/flour mixture, turning to fully coat the surface of the fish with the dry mixture on all sides. Place fish on platter or baking sheet, and repeat process with remaining fillets.
Refrigerate the coated rockfish in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before frying. The slight moisture from the fish will help the seasoning adhere and the seasoning will have time to bring flavor to the fish.
Time To Cook The Rockfish
Remove the rockfish from the refrigerator. Heat oil on Medium-High heat in a large skillet until it is really hot, but not smoking. If you have a large cast iron skillet, I recommend that for extra crispiness, but if not, use a large, non-stick skillet. Add the seasoned fish to the hot oil, and fry them for 3-4 minutes, without moving them in the pan.
Carefully turn the rockfish over and continue to cook the second side an additional 3-4 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. The coating should be wonderfully golden brown and crispy on the fish.
Serve The Southwestern Fried Rockfish
Once the fish is cooked through and crisp on the outside, carefully remove the fish from the skillet. Put the fish on layers of paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Place the Southwestern Fried Rockfish on dinner plates, and serve with your favorite sides.
This time the rockfish was served with fresh pineapple slices and Thai coleslaw in Peanut Sauce on the side. It was kind of our own “fusion-type meal” – Southwestern seasoned rockfish and Thai-Inspired coleslaw. Sounds odd, but it worked!
I hope you have the chance to make this rockfish recipe, and trust you will enjoy it, as well. Thanks for stopping by, and please come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a wonderful day.
Looking For More ROCKFISH Recipes?
You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of delicious seafood recipes for you to choose from, including these (and more) featuring rockfish:
Interested In More Recipes?
Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so. If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.
You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks
Original recipe source: “Taste of Home” magazine, June/July 2006 edition, page 60, published by Reiman Publications.
↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓
Southwestern Fried Rockfish is an easy, delicious seafood dish! Taco mix seasoned fillets, coated in cornmeal/flour are fried until crunchy.
- 1 pound rockfish fillets (4) 4 fillets total (approx. 4 oz. each)
- 1 ounce taco seasoning mix (1 envelope) *see NOTE below for making homemade
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Pat rockfish dry on layers of paper towels. Put taco seasoning mix into large resealable plastic bag. Add fillets, one at a time, shaking until fish is coated with spices. Shake excess spices back into bag.
Light beat egg in a shallow bowl. In separate bowl, combine cornmeal and flour. Dredge seasoned fillets in egg until covered, letting then let the excess egg drip back into bowl. Next coat fish in cornmeal/flour mixture, covering all sides. Place fish on large platter; repeat process with remaining fillets. Refrigerate rockfish for 15 minutes before frying.
Heat oil on Medium-High heat in a large cast iron skillet (or non-stick) until oil is really hot, but not smoking. Carefully add fillets to hot oil; fry fish for 3-4 minutes, without moving fish in the pan. Carefully turn fish over; cook second side 3-4 minutes or until cooked through and fish flakes easily with a fork. Coating should be browned and crisp when done. Remove fish from skillet; transfer to layers of paper towels to absorb oil. Serve immediately, and enjoy.
Taco Seasoning Mix For this Recipe (if you don't have pre-made):Stir to combine.
1 T. Flour// 1 t. chili powder// 1 t. paprika// 3/4 t. salt// 1/2 t. onion powder// 1/2 t. cumin// 1/4 t. cayenne pepper// 1/4 t. garlic powder// 1/8 t. ground oregano//
**Caloric Calculation made using HALF of the oil in recipe because at least half remains in the skillet (used for frying).
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!