Here’s a fresh and flavorful Thai Lime-Garlic Steamed Fish recipe that’s light, aromatic, and perfect for a healthy meal:
Ingredients (2–3 servings)
- 1 whole white fish (like tilapia, snapper, or sea bass), cleaned and scaled (~1–1.5 lb / 450–700 g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 red chili peppers, thinly sliced (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp sugar or palm sugar
- 2–3 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Optional: thin slices of ginger
Instructions
- Prepare Fish:
Score the fish on both sides with 2–3 diagonal cuts. This helps it cook evenly and absorb flavors. Pat dry with paper towels. - Make Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, sliced chili, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar until sugar dissolves. - Prepare Steaming Setup:
Fill a wok or large pot with about 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place a steaming rack or heatproof plate over the water. - Steam Fish:
Place the fish on a heatproof plate. Pour half of the lime-garlic sauce over the fish. Steam, covered, for 10–12 minutes (depending on size) until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. - Finish & Serve:
Remove the fish from the steamer. Pour the remaining sauce over the fish. Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, and optional ginger slices. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
✅ Tips:
- Use fresh fish for the best flavor and firm texture.
- Adjust chilies to your preferred spice level.
- For extra depth, you can drizzle a little sesame oil or light soy sauce over the fish before serving.
If you want, I can also give a one-pan version that cooks the fish in a foil packet in the oven with the lime-garlic sauce—no steaming setup required. Do you want me to do that?
