Kitchen Lessons · Kitchen Mistakes
Why Is My Fish Sticking?
The short answer
The pan wasn't hot enough, or you tried to move the fish too soon. Heat the pan and oil properly, lay the fish down, and leave it alone — it lets go on its own when a crust forms.
Start with a hot pan
Fish added to a cool pan grabs on immediately. Preheat the pan with oil until it shimmers, then add the fish.
Don't move it
Fish sticks until it forms a golden crust, and then it releases naturally. The urge to poke and lift is what tears it. Wait.
Dry it first
Pat the fish dry before it hits the pan. Surface moisture steams instead of searing, and a wet surface sticks.
Gina's tip
When fish is ready to turn, it lifts without a fight. If it resists the spatula, it's telling you to give it another minute.