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    Home » Seafood » Fish

    Kerala Style Fish Fry (Step-by-step Recipe)

    By Rachna Published: Mar 16, 2020 · Modified: Sep 26, 2024 3 Comments

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    Pink Perch is a white flesh pink fish that is very tasty and nutritious.

    I had it for the first time when I visited Kerala and was hooked.

    This Kerala style fish fry is served with rice and a simple veg salad. I served it with a mild coconut rice and it was the perfect complement to its fiery taste.

    This is a really easy recipe. Do try it.

    You can also try salmon sushi bake and sarde in saor for other variations.

    pink perch fry

    Here’s how to make Kerala style fish fry:

    Preparation Time - 30 minutes

    Cooking Time - 20 minutes

    Ingredients:

    Pink Perch Fish or use any firm fish – 1.1 lb or ½ kg

    Ginger garlic Paste - ½ teaspoon per fish

    Turmeric Powder - ½ teaspoon

    Chilli Powder - 1 teaspoon

    Pepper Powder - 1 teaspoon

    Lemon Juice - 1 teaspoon

    Salt - To taste

    Some water

    1 sprig curry leaves

    Coconut oil or any other vegetable oil for shallow frying

    Recipe:

    Clean and wash the fish. Make slits on both sides and keep aside.

    To make the marinade paste

    Add ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder, pepper powder, salt, lemon juice and mix well. Add 2 tsp. of water to make a thick paste.

    Marinate the fish with this masala paste, making sure to put into slits and cavities. Keep aside for 15 minutes.

    To shallow fry fish

    Heat coconut oil in a pan. Make sure it is medium hot. Now carefully place the fish in hot oil and let it fry.

    Takes about 3-4 minutes on one side depending upon the size of the fish.

    Turn the fish to the other side carefully and let it fry till cooked. Take it out and serve hot. Your pink perch fry is ready.

    pink perch fry

    Pro-Tips

    1. Always choose fresh fish. You can choose any other firm fish in place of pink perch.
    2. Don’t overcook the fish. Remember it continues to cook even after it is taken out.
    3. Don’t make your marinade runny. Keep it thick so that the paste stays on the fish well.
    4. This is a spicy recipe. If you want less heat reduce the quantity of chilli powder and pepper powder.
    5. You can use any other vegetable oil in place of coconut oil if you so need.
    6. Always keep the level of oil for shallow frying in the pan so that half the fish is immersed in it.
    7. When you turn the fish, it takes lesser time to cook than it did on the first side.
    8. You can use fish like mackerel, rawas or Indian salmon or any other firm fish in place of pink perch.

    📖 Recipe Card

    pink perch fry

    Kerala style fish Fry Recipe

    Rachna Parmar
    This Kerala style Fish Fry is a really tasty spicy shallow fried fish recipe that is super easy to make. Check out my step-by-step recipe and serve at home.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Marination time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer/Side Dish
    Cuisine Kerala, South Indian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 207 kcal
    people

    Ingredients
     

    • 1.1 lb Pink Perch Fish or ½ Kg.
    • ½ tsp. Ginger garlic Paste per fish
    • ½ tsp. Turmeric Powder
    • 1 tsp. Chilli Powder
    • 1 tsp. Pepper Powder
    • 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
    • Salt to taste
    • Some water
    • 1 sprig curry leaves
    • Coconut oil or any other vegetable oil for shallow frying

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    Instructions
     

    • Clean and wash the fish. Make slits on both sides and keep aside.

    To make the marinade paste

    • Add ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder, pepper powder, salt, lemon juice and mix well. Add 2 tsp. of water to make a thick paste.
    • Marinate the fish with this masala paste, making sure to put into slits and cavities. Keep aside for 15 minutes.

    To shallow fry fish

    • Heat coconut oil in a pan. Make sure it is medium hot. Now carefully place the fish in hot oil and let it fry.
    • Takes about 3-4 minutes on one side depending upon the size of the fish.
    • Turn the fish to the other side carefully and let it fry till cooked.
    • Add 1 sprig curry leaves to the oil.
    • Take it out and serve hot.
    • Your pink perch fry is ready.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Always choose fresh fish. You can use any other firm fish in place of pink perch if you can't find it.
    2. Don’t overcook the fish. Remember it continues to cook even after it is taken out.
    3. Don’t make your marinade runny. Keep it thick so that the paste stays on the fish well.
    4. This is a spicy recipe. If you want less heat reduce the quantity of chilli powder and pepper powder.
    5. You can use any other vegetable oil in place of coconut oil if you so need.
    6. Always keep the level of oil for shallow frying in the pan so that half the fish is immersed in it.
    7. When you turn the fish, it takes lesser time to cook than it did on the first side.
    8. Serve your hot pink perch fry with your meal or with flavoured rice like coconut rice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 571mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 955IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
    Check out our Food videos Subscribe to our Food channel for recipe videos

    Serve your Kerala style fish fry with your meal or with flavoured rice like coconut rice.

    If you liked this recipe, I request you to give a * star rating either on the recipe card or in the comments. Thanks.

    You may also like

    Pomfret Tawa Fry

    Meen Moilee

    Bengali fish curry

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shantala says

      March 18, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      I haven't ever tried this fish, but I'll keep an eye out for it now. Not sure if we get it here in US, but will definitely try to find it.

      Reply
    2. Sipra says

      April 15, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      I have been trying this recipe since the last 3-4 months and this is perfect. I have used it on pink perch, Pomfret and seer fish. It's amazing every time. Fool proof recipe. Thank you so much Rachna for this simple yet delicious recipe. 😋

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        April 15, 2021 at 10:57 pm

        Thank you, Sipra! So glad you liked the recipe and enjoy making it regularly.

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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