I think my love for easy, speedy fish recipes is obvious in the robust fish section of my recipe index. Have you ever baked fish in parchment? It creates a steamy little packet that infuses flavor into fish fillets like no other.

If you’re scared of fish (I see you. I know you’re out there.) hear me out. I know fish can be nerve wracking and easy to overcook. No one wants to shell out for expensive fish only to turn them into shoe leather.

When I started cooking fish at home I began with foil-wrapped packets. Why? Because it’s an easy, fail-safe way to cook fish and get the best flavors out of those pricey fillets! I’ll show you all my best tricks to give you confidence that you’ll end up with a great meal. And a new-found love for prepping fish at home.

What is Fish en Papillote?

Have you ever baked fish in parchment paper (“en papillote”)? Sounds like a fussy thing to do, but seriously… this was one of the easiest, quickest meals I’ve made in the past few weeks. I even made it twice.

AND it was one of the most moist and flavorful fish I’ve ever had. It seems like whatever you put in the parchment packet gets completely infused in the fish. It’s amazing.

Papillote Fish Ingredients

• Fish fillets: You can use any kind of fish! Using thinner fillets like Dover sole work especially well here to absorb the flavors in the packet.
• Aromatics: Thinly sliced onion, shallots, or grated/sliced garlic
• Herbs & seasonings: Salt, pepper, & fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, dill, parsley, cilantro)
• Citrus: Thinly sliced lemon or limes
• Oil: A drizzle of olive oil or a small pat of butter are my favorites to add
• Vegetables: Very thinly sliced or quick cooking vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, snow peas, broccolini, asparagus, etc. I’d recommend shavings of vegetables for very thin fish fillets.
• Parchment paper: You can use aluminum foil if you like, but if you’re concerned about the foil’s contact with the food during cooking, put a small piece of parchment inside the foil as a barrier. Foil is much easier to form a packet with than parchment so some prefer this method.

How to make Fish en Papillote

1. Lay a square piece of parchment (or foil with a small piece of parchment inside) on a work space.
2. Add a layer of vegetables and aromatics first. Season with a pinch or two of salt and pepper.
3. Then add the fish and top with a few pieces of citrus, the herbs, and season again with salt and pepper and a drizzle of oil (or a small pat of butter).
4. Fold the parchment corner to corner to form a triangle. Starting from one open end, crimp and fold the opening all the way around to the other side.
5. Repeat with remaining fish and other ingredients.
6. Bake fish packets at 375F for 10-15 min depending on the thickness of the fish.

How to fold parchment paper for fish in papillote?

• Place the parchment square turned like a diamond in front of you.
• Place the food slightly lower than the center.
• Fold the top corner to make a triangle.
• Start on one end and crimp/fold the edges together as tightly as you can all the way around to seal the packet.

How long to cook fish in parchment paper?

This will depend on the thickness of the fish. If the fillets are very thin it could be finished in under 10 minutes. Thicker fillets (like cod) will take 12-15 min.

How to make Fish in Parchment ahead of time

You can prep these packets up to a day ahead! If you’re using vegetables that don’t oxidize when sliced (like white potatoes) then you’re good to go.

Just keep them sealed in their packets and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them.

How to Store Fish Cooked in Parchment Paper

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

You may leave the leftovers in the packet and reheat in the oven or transfer the ingredients to a small skillet, add a few tablespoons of water, and reheat, covered for a few minutes.

More Easy Fish Recipes on Perry’s Plate

If you like this recipe, try one of my other recipes featuring white fish!

Blackened Fish Tacos

Thai Fish Curry

Fish Taco Bowl

Pesto Fish

If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

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Fish Cooked in Parchment Paper

Have you ever baked fish in parchment? It creates a steamy little packet that infuses flavor into fish fillets like no other.

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Ingredients

• 4 Uncooked fish fillets (rockfish, sole, snapper, salmon, cod, about 4-6 oz ea)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 of an onion, cut into thin rings (for each packet)
• Citrus slices (orange, lemon, lime)
• A few sprigs of fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, dill, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
• Thinly sliced vegetables (carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, etc.)
• 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
• 1 garlic clove, Microplaned or crushed
• Parchment paper (or more if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lay parchment flat on a workspace.
2. On one half of the paper add a layer onions and vegetables in a small pile. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Add the fish fillet on top of the vegetables. Season with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper (more if your fillets are more than 1/2 in thick). Add the citrus slices and herbs on top of the fish.
4. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil (or butter) with the grated garlic. Add about 2 Tablespoons of the garlic oil over the fish and vegetables.
5. Fold the top corner down to form a triangle. Then crimp/fold the ends together until it looks like a half circle (see photos in post). Packet doesn't have to be airtight, but tight enough to hold the packet together and contain most of the steam.
6. Place packet (more than one is fine) on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillet. Paper may become crispy and slightly browned -- this is fine.
7. Transfer packets to plates and serve.

Notes

Aluminum foil is easier to form packets with, but there are some who are concerned about food cooking directly in contact with foil. To make these easier to assemble and safer for cooking, put a small piece of parchment on the foil to lay the food on and then form the packet as directed.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information

Yield 4 Serving Size 1 fillet
Amount Per Serving Calories 339Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 157mgSodium 285mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 39g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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