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A plate of perfectly cooked seafood with flaky texture

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stop overcooking your seafood! here's how to get that perfect flaky texture you crave

By Elena Garcia

Published: 21 Oct 2024

Let's be honest-we've all been there. Excited to whip up that seafood extravaganza of a meal, imagining flaky, moist fish and juicy shrimp. Then. disaster. The scallops are rubbery, the salmon is dry, and your shrimp is, well, sorta rubbery too. ???? You may ask yourself, 'What went wrong? ', wanting that perfect delicate texture you see in restaurants. Don't worry, my friend. No magic trick there, and you absolutely can get that restaurant-worthy texture right in your home, me about to spill all my secrets learned along the way. Now take out your favorite fish recipe and let's plunge into the delectable world of perfectly cooked seafood! ????

Overcooking-the arch-nemesis of seafood-is caused by one simple factor: heat. Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter. Seafood is, well… delicate. Unlike a steak that can handle some serious heat, fish and shellfish cook way faster. You gotta be quick, or it's going to turn into a dry, sad, sad mess. Think of it like this: You wouldn't throw a marshmallow on a super-hot grill, right? It would just burn to a crisp. That's pretty much exactly what happens to seafood when you overcook it. You've got to treat it with care, like it's some sort of little, fragile sea creature. ????

How to Tell if Your Seafood is Done: The Poke Test

One of the greatest mistakes people make is relying too much on timers. Every piece of seafood is different and it's all about finding that sweet spot. Here's the absolute best way to tell if your seafood is cooked through: The Poke Test.

How to do the Poke Test:

Gently use a fork, not a knife, to poke the thickest part of the seafood.
If flesh flakes off easily and is a little bit white – like, whitish in color – you're good! ????
If the flesh feels sticky or raw inside, then cook it for a little while longer.

Don't overthink it! The Poke Test is your secret weapon to perfect seafood-quick, easy, and oh-so-reliable. ????

Close-up of a hand poking a piece of cooked salmon with a fork | Image: Supplied

The Power of Pan-Searing: Quick and Flavorful

Pan-searing gives your seafood one quick, flavorful hug. You get that golden crust that tucks in all the juices inside. The best part? It takes a few minutes.

Pan-Searing Tips:

Get your pan screaming hot. You should be good with a medium-high heat-not too crazy.
Pat the seafood dry. This will help cook the seafood more evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Use oil with a high smoke point. Olive oil works great for sauteing, but when it comes to searing, use avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
Don't overcrowd the pan. Give your seafood its space to cook even. If you must, cook in batches.
Don't over-move the seafood! Let it sear for just a minute or two on each side. You want that golden crust, not a bunch of itsy-bitsy pieces of fish.

Close-up of a pan searing fish fillets with a golden crust | Image: Supplied

Baking for Evenly Cooked Seafood

Baking is a great method of cooking for larger pieces of fish and whole fish. It allows even cooking without over-drying.

Baking Tips:

Preheat your oven. This is so the fish will cook evenly.
Use a baking sheet with a lip. This prevents spills and makes clean-up easy. Place a piece of parchment paper on your baking sheet. This prevents your fish from sticking. Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. Give your fish space to breathe.

Close-up of a baking sheet with seasoned fish fillets in the oven | Image: Supplied

Conclusion: Stop Overcooking and Welcome the Flaky Deliciousness

I know it's super tempting to leave your seafood on the heat just a little bit longer, just so you might be sure it's cooked through. But trust me, you really don't want to overcook it. That little extra time can ruin the texture, making your seafood dry and tough. So now, let's embrace the Poke Test, experiment with different cooking methods, and most importantly, enjoy the amazing flavors and textures of perfectly cooked seafood! ✨