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    My Colombian Recipes » Recipes » Main Dishes » Seafood » Pescado Frito Colombiano (colombian-style Fried Whole Fish)

    Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)

    Oct 20, 2022 by Erica Dinho · 11 Comments

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    Fried whole fish is a traditional Colombian dish from the pacific and Caribbean regions of the country.

    Fried whole FishPin

    Today I am sharing with you a true Colombian classic, Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish), a very popular dish from the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Colombia.

    The first time I had a whole fried fish was on the beach in Cartagena, Colombia. It was served with patacones (green plantains), coconut rice and a simple tomato salad on the side, and since that day, it has been one of my favorite ways to eat fish. Just heavenly!

    How do you fry a whole fish?

    The best fish to fry whole are trout, tilapia and red snapper. Be sure the fish is fresh and clean, ask your fishmonger to clean it for you if you can't do it at home.

    The best oils to fry fish are canola, corn or vegetable oil. The oil should be hot when you add the fish to the pan. It only takes about 7 minutes per side to cook the fish until is golden.

    Some of my favorite side dishes to serve with this fried whole fish are patacones, yuca fries, coconut rice, avocado salad and lime wedges.

    Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Pin

    Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish Recipe

    Erica Dinho
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Colombian
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 2204 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 small whole tilapias or red snapper cleaned and scaled
    • 2 scallions finely chopped
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • Salt and pepper
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • 2 cups of vegetable or Canola oil for frying

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the fish in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 cuts on each side of the fish.
    • Season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper. Rub the fish with the scallions and lime juice. Allow fish sit 10 minutes before cooking.
    • Dredge fish with flour to coat. Pour oil into a large frying pan. The oil should be at least 1 inch deep.
    • Heat the oil over medium-high heat, you can test it by dropping in a small cube of bread. If it sizzles and cooks, it is ready, or if you have a thermometer, the correct temperature is 375 F.
    • Carefully place the fish in the oil, standing back in case the oil splatters, then turn the heat to medium.
    • Fry the fish, without turning it, for about 5 to 7 minutes, or skin will break. Turn the fish and fry about 5 to 7 minutes more or until the skin is crispy.
    • Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and serve with patacones, rice, avocado and lime wedges on the side.

    Notes

    *Be sure the oil is covering the whole fish, if it's not just submerged the fish in the hot oil pushing with a heat safe spoon, ensuring it cooks evenly.
    *Some of the most popular fish in Colombia to make this dish are: red snapper, mojarra and tilapia.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 2204kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 36gFat: 227gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 64gMonounsaturated Fat: 143gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 91mgPotassium: 563mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword fried fish
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mycolombianrecipes and tag #mycolombianrecipes!
    Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Pin

    This fish dish is very simple and easy to make. You can have dinner on your table in 30 minutes. If you don't want to fry the whole fish just use fillets that will work too.

    La Chamba Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Pin

    I love Pescado Frito, but I don’t get to eat it often here in the United States, as it is very difficult to find the perfect fresh fish for this recipe where I live. But, a couple of weeks ago I went to a different market and found fresh whole tilapia fish on sale, the perfect fish to make my Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish. So, without hesitation, I bought a couple of them and made this Pescado Frito, one of the simplest recipes for fried fish, and super delicious, especially served with patacones and rice on the side. If you haven't try fried whole fish yet, make this recipe! If you feel intimidated by the head, just ask the fish guy to chop it off for you. I'm betting you'll love this dish too!

    Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Pin
    Pescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Pin

    More seafood recipes to try:

    Fish with Creole Sauce

    Baked Salmon with Cilantro-Garlic Oil

    Arepa with Crab Salad and Avocado

    More Seafood Recipes

    Viudo De Pescado (Fish Stew)Salmón Con Salsa De Guayaba (Salmon With Guava Sauce)Shrimp With Creamy Cilantro SaucePescado Frito Colombiano (Colombian-Style Fried Whole Fish)Chicharrón De Pescado Con Ají De Mango (Fish Fritters With Mango Sauce)
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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    Author Page →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruby

      August 17, 2013 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      Hola Erica, regrese de Cartagena hace menos de un mes donde pase 30 dias de vacaciones disfrutando la deliciosa gastronomia de mi amada ciudad especialmente el pescado frito que te preparan en los restaurantes en la playa, el coctel de camaron, las cocadas, etc. El pargo, mojarra, sierra, etc alla son tan frescos que puedes casi saborear el mar cuando los comes. Es mas, cada mañanita miraba a los pescadores tirar sus redes al mar. Aqui en USA, (vivo en Florida) he comido tilapia pero no entera sino en filete y la verdad es que no hay pescado aqui que tenga el fresco sabor del pescado de la Costa Colombiana. Pero siempre tratando de recrear nuestros platos tipicos, buscare en los mercados fresh whole tilapia. Gracias Erica, a traves de tus recetas nos tienes a todos, especialmente los Colombianos unidos. God bless you!

      Reply
    2. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      August 17, 2013 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      The fresh tilapias are so GOOD!

      Reply
    3. Jeannie

      August 18, 2013 at 3:36 am

      5 stars
      I love eating fried fish but hate frying them lol! yours looks very well fried, so golden and no breakage! Yummy1

      Reply
    4. Belinda @zomppa

      August 19, 2013 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous fish - no doubt, fresh makes all the difference!

      Reply
    5. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz.com

      August 19, 2013 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      This really looks awesome and so do the sides. I never fried a fish before but now I really want too. So curious. Can you suggest other good fishes for this?

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        August 22, 2015 at 9:23 am

        5 stars
        Red Snapper is used the most inMexico!

        Reply
    6. Norma - Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

      September 02, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite too Erica...

      Reply
    7. Anonymous

      August 25, 2014 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      Tengo un problema! No tengo Club Colombia. Puedo tomar Heineken? (:-)

      Reply
    8. Zalman

      May 03, 2017 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe. Used white bass (2 @3/4 lb ea), doubled up on scallion and lime. Scored fish a lot more closely, about 1/4" on center so taste will have a better chance to penetrate. Fresh, light taste, relatively delicate. VERY good. Thank you.

      Reply
    9. Anonymous

      February 08, 2018 at 4:48 am

      5 stars
      I cook whole fish often but have never fried one. While searching for ideas,I came across this recipe.....and it was delicious! I used fresh red snapper and followed the recipe pretty much as written. The fish was cooked perfectly with a gorgeous crust...and the seasonings were simple but so flavorful. Definately adding this to the favorites list!

      Reply
    10. KIM

      June 14, 2020 at 3:50 am

      5 stars
      Easy tasty nutritious and delicious.

      Reply

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    Erica Dinho Author | My Colombian Recipes

    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    More about me →

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