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Filet O Fish Copycat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 124 reviews

This Filet O Fish Copycat Recipe replicates the classic fast-food favorite with crispy beer-battered white fish fillets, a tangy homemade tartar sauce loaded with capers and pickles, melted cheese, and soft toasted buns. Perfectly fried to golden perfection and assembled with fresh ingredients, this recipe brings the beloved fish sandwich to your kitchen with a delightful crunch and rich flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish and Batter

  • 1 lb white fish (pollock, cod, or whiting)
  • 1 tbsp salt (for seasoning fish)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsps paprika
  • 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp salt (for batter)
  • 2 tsps garlic powder
  • 2 tsps onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 14 oz beer (ale, pilsner or lager) or sparkling water
  • 6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup pickles (diced)
  • 1 tsp pickle juice
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tbsps dill (chopped)
  • ¼ cup capers
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • lemon zest (from one lemon)
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)

Assembly

  • 4 potato buns
  • 4 slices cheese (Cheddar or American)
  • Optional: lettuce and tomato slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, capers, diced pickles, lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  2. Make the batter: In a separate bowl, mix together 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, chili powder, 1 tbsp salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Gradually add the egg while stirring to combine. Then slowly whisk in the beer or sparkling water until you achieve a thin, smooth batter that will coat the fish well.
  3. Prepare the fish: Salt both sides of the white fish fillets with 1 tbsp salt. Cut into portions sized to fit your buns.
  4. Heat the oil: In a deep pan or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to between 350°F and 375°F (175°C-190°C). Use a thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
  5. Fry the fish: Dredge each fish piece lightly in flour to help the batter stick. Dip the floured fish into the prepared batter, then carefully place into the hot oil. Fry each piece for 3-4 minutes on each side until the batter is golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  6. Toast the buns: Slice the potato buns and place a slice of American or Cheddar cheese on the bottom half of each bun. Toast them in the oven or toaster oven until the cheese melts and the buns become slightly crispy.
  7. Assemble the sandwich: Spread the prepared sauce generously on the top halves of the buns. Place a crispy fried fish fillet on each cheese-topped bottom bun. Add optional lettuce and tomato slices for freshness. Top with the sauce-spread bun half and press down gently to combine.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh white fish fillets with firm texture, such as pollock or cod.
  • The beer adds flavor and carbonation to the batter, creating a light, crispy crust. Sparkling water is a good non-alcoholic substitute.
  • Maintain oil temperature between 350°F-375°F to ensure crispy fish without absorbing excess oil.
  • Optional honey in the sauce adds a subtle sweetness balancing the tangy flavors.
  • You can add lettuce and tomato slices to the sandwich for extra freshness and texture.
  • Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature for safe and even frying.

Keywords: Filet O Fish, fish sandwich, copycat recipe, fried fish, beer batter, homemade tartar sauce, crispy fish sandwich

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/filet-o-fish-copycat-recipe/