I hate fish!

Can anyone suggest any types of fish or dishes with fish that a fish-hater might like?  I love canned tuna, but everything else I really dislike.  I want to like it for the health benefits but don't know if I can get over the smell and texture.  Any advice?

I would suggest that your aversion may be the kinds of fish you have tried.   I suggest that you start simple with very a mild flavoured fish - try a haddock or perch to start off.  Removing the skin before cooking will cut down on the "fishy" taste as well.  I love fresh perch pan fried in olive oil with lemon juice.

why even try to eat something you hate?  It's not worth it.  You can get all the nutrients from other foods.  Fish are high in Omegas but you can get that from flaxseed and other seeds.  Or you can take a fish oil capsule and never have to taste it or smell it..  You can get high quality low fat protein from poultry, legumes and tofu. 

There are so many delicious foods to enjoy.  Eating should involve pleasure.

Don't eat something you hate. There are other kinds of food with the same nutrients as fish.

But I really want to like it!  My entire family loves fish.  My mom insists I don't like fish because when I was young I choked on a bone (apparently I loved fish until that happened, but I don't remember it), so maybe it's some sort psychological dislike that I can gradually work around.  My husband loves seafood and I never make it for him.  So, I really want to know ideas for making fish less-fishy so hopefully it can grow on me or, at the very least, I can make it without gagging. 

Swordfish and Halibut steaks are mild & have a nice firm texture. Even my mom, a true fish hater, likes swordfish.

I know exactly what you mean! I am a texture person all the way. Like others have suggested, I would recommend trying a mild, 'dry' fish.

I personally love tilapia. It has a firm, white, dry flesh and a very, very mild flavor and it goes well with just about any sauce/condiment/spice.. it's like chicken, you can add anything, it will taste great every time and you can't really mess it up.

In that case, try the fresh water fishes.  Tilapia was suggested and trout is usually available.  For other fresh water fish you usually have to know a fisherman. 

sole and flounder are very mild sea fish.

Tips are, buy only the freshest "sushi quality" fish from a reputable dealer.  Cook it right away.  Cook it fast over high heat, like under a broiler.  All of these things prevent fishy smells.

i would suggest tuna steaks were it not so bad for the environment.... it's almost steak like in taste -  not really fishy at all, texture and taste wise

How much do you like seafood? I know you've mentioned your husband likes it, but how are you with prawns (shrimp), scallops, squid, etc?

For fish, try a white fish - eg, sustainably caught cod, pollock, hake - first before you go for stronger flavours like oily fish - eg, sardines, salmon or tuna. Swordfish and halibut are lovely, but also horribly overcaught.

Why not try this:

Get two fillets of your chosen fish, about 100g of (ideally wholemeal) breadcrumbs, and then 400g of small potatoes (new potatoes). Parboil the potatoes, drain them off, and cut them into fries.

Preheat your oven to around 400-435F and put in a roasting tray to warm. Then, using the juice and zest of two lemons, mix your breadcrumbs, zest, and half the juice in a bowl. You can add herbs here, too, if you like.

Put your fish in a baking tray either greased with some olive oil or spray oil, whatever you prefer, and coat the fillets with the remaining juice. At the same time, coat or spray your fries with oil and then put them in the roasting dish. Adding the fish in at the same time, let them both cook for ten minutes.

After ten minutes, take out your fish fillets, coat them in the breadcrumb mixture, turn your fries over and put them all back in the oven for another 20 to 30 minutes.

Viola. Mushy peas are optional.


I second Claire's suggestion of getting to know a fisherman. Even if it's talking with your fishmonger in your local supermarket at the fish counter.

I know salmon isnt one of the mild ones but it is very similar in texture to tuna. I love grilling salmon. use a marinade and leave it in a container for an entire day w. the marinade (usually terryaki) and then grill it for 15 min on each side w. high heat. If you go to a fish market to get it ask them to take the skin off for you and if you have one of those grilling baskets use it. it makes flipping them much easier w. out the mess of them falling apart. ad some ground ginger and black pepper to the marinade for extra flavor. You can add veggies and some brown rice on the side.

I used to not like the fishy taste of seafood, but I loved salmon and tuna. I don't find those two to taste very fishy. I second the previous poster's suggestion of a marinade. There's a maple grilled salmon recipe on allrecipes.com that's to die for.

I'm not into fish either. I can eat it, but it's not something I'd ever choose off a menu.

However, I LOVE sashimi/sushi and seared tuna. You could try that. I find it tastes fresher and less "fish-y".

But if you don't like fish, don't push it. There are many ways to get the benefits without incorporating fish into your diet.

Original Post by lyri:

I LOVE sashimi/sushi and seared tuna. You could try that. I find it tastes fresher and less "fish-y".

I concur.  My favorite is white tuna (shiro maguro); it goes down like butter and a nigiri sushi style shiro maguro has only 55 calories, 1 gram of fat and 4 grams of protein.

Like you, I really want to like fish but I hate it ALL. I hate tuna, canned tuna, salmon, shrimp, anything that lives in its own toliet. I have tried to find ways to make fish a good experience for me...and have failed many times. The only success that I have had in actually eating fish is to make it so that you absolutely cannot taste it therefore you only have to deal with texture. My one success is to take very thin filets of tilapia and coat it with cajun seasoning. No fish taste....at all! Good luck! I wish you more success than i have had!

I am like you.  For years, the only fish I would eat was canned tuna.  I hate the smell and texture of fish.  However, I found that I like raw tuna.  It has a texture like tender steak and has very little taste.  If it's seasoned, it just takes on the taste of the seasoning.  You might also try wahoo or marlin.  I've found them to be like tuna -- also very steaklike.  Freshness is really important.  If you live near the beach, that is great.  The only time I'm really able to eat fish now is if I know it's really fresh.  For smaller fish, you might try tilapia.  I breaded some tilapia and was able to eat a few bites.  Personally, I don't think that salmon is mild and just the smell makes me lose my appetite.  Also, there is something weird about the flaky texture.

Original Post by clairelaine:

Tips are, buy only the freshest "sushi quality" fish from a reputable dealer.  Cook it right away.  Cook it fast over high heat, like under a broiler.  All of these things prevent fishy smells.

Bingo. In my experience, 2/3 of the people who think they don't like fish have been converted if they get their hands on fresh fish, cooked timely.

My hubby generally hates fish, but if I cook salmon with a little white wine, butter, and dillweed, he'll eat it right up.

i hate fish too, although i dont mind shrimp/prawns, smoked salmon, and smoked eel. They just dont taste too fish-y to me so i can eat them.

Catfish is one of the only fish that I like. Whole or in fillets. Season with lemon pepper and garish with slices of lemon. It has a great flavor. Not too fishy at all.

Things from the sea

come nowhere near me!