25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (2024)

You are here: Home / Recipes and Cooking Tips / 25 Leftover Fish Recipes

by Alea Milham 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

Are you wondering what to do with leftover fish? From fish soup to fish tacos, these leftover fish recipes will make you excited to have fish leftovers.

25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (1)

25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (2)

I cook fish quite often but rarely have leftover fish. My husband and two oldest children like fish so much that they usually polish off whatever fishI have cooked for dinner. And if they don’t finish it off for dinner, they will eat the leftovers for breakfast or lunch the next day. The only time I have leftover fish is when my neighbor goes salmon fishing and brings me back salmon steaks so large they don’t fit in a 13 x 9 pan and even then it goes fast!I have to act fast if I want to experiment with leftover fish recipes for dinner the next day. So I turned to my friends and asked them for theirfavoriterecipes that could be adapted to include leftover fish.

Few of the recipes below actually call for leftover cooked fish. I am sharing them to inspire you. If you match the flavors of your leftover fish to the flavors used in one of the following recipes you can cut down on the time it takes to make dinner. When you use fish leftovers in these recipes, add it when the recipe calls for the cooked fish to be added to the other ingredients or as the final step and cook until just heated through.

I often start with one of these fish recipes and then use the leftovers in one of the recipes below.

25Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas

25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (3)

25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (4)

Fish Soup Recipes:

It is easy to use leftover cooked fish in soup recipes. You save time since the leftover fish is already cooked. Just add the leftover fish as the last step and cook until the fish is heated through.

Salmon Dill Chowder

Tuna or Seafood Chowder

Southwest Tilapia Chowder

Cantonese Fish Soup

Thai Fish Soup

Salmon Chowder

Portuguese Traditional Fish Soup

Rustic Tomato & Coconut Fish Soup

Mediterranean Fish Stew

Fish Pasta Recipes:

Fish leftovers work well in hot or cold pasta salads. Assemble the pasta salad and then add the cooked fish. Toss to coat and then serve or chill for later.

Neptune’s Pasta

Asian Glazed Fish Pasta

The (Not Barefoot) Contessa’s Fish Pasta

Fish Salad Recipes:

April of 21st Century Housewife says she uses leftover salmon in salads. Here are a few fish salad recipes that could easily be adapted to include leftover fish.

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls

Tuna and Couscous Salad

Tuna andTabboulehSalad

Blackened Fish Salad Recipe

Honey Mustard Salmon Salad

Salmon and Blueberry Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Salmon, Potato, and Green Bean Salad

Fish Taco Recipes:

My husband and father enjoy fish tacos. You can stretch leftover fish taco recipes by adding beans, tomatoes, and/or corn in place of some of the fish called for in the recipe if you wish.

Tilapia Fish Tacos

Blackened Fish Tacos

Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos

Mexican Salmon Quesadillas with Avocado Cream Sauce

Use Leftover Cooked Fish to make Fish Patties

Leah from Simplistic Savings says she uses leftover salmon or trout to make patties. She didn’t have a recipe, but this Baked Tilapia Cake Recipe from Miz Helen would make a great base for creating fish patties out of leftover fish. As would this Panko Salmon Cakes Recipeor this Chipotle Salmon Corn Cakes recipe from Shirley at Gluten Free Easily.

Use Leftover Fish to Make Fish and Rice Bowls

I like to combine leftover rice, leftover fish, and either cooked vegetables, fresh greens, or berries to make a fish and rice bowl. Sometimes I substitute pasta or quinoa for the rice. Then I choose a salad dressing and drizzle it over the top.

How do you like to use leftover fish? Or are you like me and rarely have any leftover fish.

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. sarah says

    What a great idea, I will sure have to try some of these awesome recipes

    Reply

  2. Ann says

    I baked a large whole Dover sole and had plenty of leftovers. The fish already had so much flavor from being baked. So I tossed the fish with mayo, green onion, homemade mayo (light olive oil), lemon juice, Thai chilis, black pepper, celery seed, garlic powder and this amazing ingredient…wakame seaweed! I reconstituted it then minced it up very fine. Added a nice flavor and color! Plus it’s so healthy. Serve with lettuce wrap, as a sandwich, or with gourmet crackers. Heck, just eat it as is!

    Blanched spinach would be a good substitute for the seaweed or maybe some cilantro or fresh parsley.

    Reply

    • Lin says

      Brilliant.
      Love it!

      Reply

  3. 'Becca says

    Thanks for the new ideas! I don’t usually have leftover fish either, but when I do it’s good in Japanese Udon Noodle Soup or homemade sushi.

    Reply

  4. Jamie at Prepared to Eat says

    Aww, thanks for including my tilapia taco recipe! Yes, leftover fish would be a great idea for that. Why didn’t I ever think of that? 🙂 I will have to save this list since leftover fish is one thing that often stumps me.

    Reply

  5. Judy @Savoring Today says

    Thanks for including the Salmon Dill Chowder, you put together an inspiring list here for sure!

    Reply

  6. Miz Helen says

    Hi Alea,
    What a great idea, I will sure have to try some of these awesome recipes. Thank you so much for featuring my Southwest Tilapia Chowder and the Baked Tilapia Cakes, you are very kind.
    Happy Valentine Day!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  7. Beth @Aunt B's kitchen says

    Thanks for the mention and the link Alea. Much appreciated. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

25 Leftover Fish Recipes and Ideas for Using Up Leftover Fish (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with leftover fish? ›

Leftover Fish Grain Bowl

Pair flaked leftover fish with grains, such as quinoa, wheat berries, or even grain-sized pasta such as couscous or orzo for a base to a healthful, satisfying grain bowl. Add some greens and/or chopped vegetables and drizzle with your favorite dressing or simply a bit of vinegar and oil.

What can I do with excess fish? ›

  1. Cod and Corn Chowder. Combine that leftover cod with some potatoes and fresh vegetables for a tasty seafood soup that is ready in just 15 minutes! ...
  2. Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-Fry. ...
  3. Salmon Burgers with Avocado Salsa. ...
  4. Mango Chipotle Fish Tacos. ...
  5. Crab Salad.
Jun 9, 2019

What can be done so that a fish dish can still be eaten the next day? ›

Leftover cooked seafood should be refrigerated as soon as possible and used within 1 or 2 days. If cold or hot seafood has been left out at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F for longer than 2 hours, discard. Uncooked spoiled seafood can have an ammonia odour. This odour becomes stronger after cooking.

Can you reuse cooked fish? ›

You don't have to throw out leftover fish fillets or shellfish after dinner. You can safely reheat seafood for up to 4 days after it has been cooked. Seafood dishes with garlic or onions can taste even better the second time around. The only challenge to reheating seafood is that it can dry out or get a fishy smell.

How long is fish good leftover in the fridge? ›

Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

What to do with leftover fish from fish and chips? ›

Put your leftover fish and chips in a blender and mix until you reach a fine consistency. Mix an egg into the fish and chips, and season to taste. Form small patties with the mixture and coat in breadcrumbs. Fry in a shallow pan for around 5 minutes, or until the patties reach a slightly golden colour.

What to do with fish you don t want? ›

Several alternatives exist for getting rid of an unwanted fish. Individuals should consider returning it to a local pet shop for resale or trade, or giving it to another hobbyist including an aquarium in a professional office, museum, school, nursing home or to a public aquarium or zoological park.

How long can you eat leftover fish? ›

Leftover fish should be safe for you to eat for an absolute maximum of up to 3 days after it has been cooked, according to the USDA.

Can you overfeed fish? ›

If you feed more than your fish can eat, food will almost always end up sinking to the bottom of the tank unseen. Here, it'll decay, which can be a disaster for your aquarium's nitrogen cycle! Best case scenario, nitrates will soar, which is not great for fish health in the long run.

Can you eat fish that has been frozen for 5 years? ›

Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage. For best quality, freeze (0 °F / -17.8 °C or less) cooked fish for up to 3 months. Frozen raw fish is best used within 3 to 8 months; shellfish, 3 to 12 months.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Why can't you reheat seafood? ›

The most stringent recommendation is only to reheat fish once to avoid bacteria growth, which can lead to food illness. However, some experts claim that fish reheated multiple times can retain its taste. Reheating seafood often is safe if the meal is reheated at a suitable temperature for the appropriate time.

Is it safe to eat cooked fish left out overnight? ›

Cooked food can only stay in the temperature danger zone for so long before it becomes unsafe to eat. Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away.

Can you freeze cooked fish and reheat? ›

Can I Freeze Cooked Fish? Yes, you can freeze cooked fish. Place the cooked seafood in freezer-safe bags and remove as much air as possible. Cooked fish that has been frozen should be consumed within 2 months.

How do you know if cooked fish has gone bad? ›

The best way to tell if fish is bad is to use your senses. If fish has gone bad, it'll likely have an off smell and feel slimy. Both raw and cooked fish usually keep for up to two days in the refrigerator. You can freeze raw fish for six months to a year, but cooked fish shouldn't be frozen for more than three months.

Can you freeze fish leftovers? ›

Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage. For best quality, freeze (0 °F / -17.8 °C or less) cooked fish for up to 3 months. Frozen raw fish is best used within 3 to 8 months; shellfish, 3 to 12 months.

How do you save over cooked fish? ›

Sauce it Up: Create a flavorful sauce to mask the dryness. A lemon-butter sauce, creamy dill sauce, or a sweet teriyaki glaze can work wonders. Moisten with Broth: If the salmon is extremely dry, gently simmer it in a flavorful broth or wine to rehydrate and infuse it with flavor.

How do you eat leftover fried fish? ›

Place the fish on the baking sheet. Stick the baking sheet in the toaster oven for about eight to 10 minutes. Your leftover fried fish will be ready to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the fried fish cool for a few minutes before eating it.

When should I eat leftover fish? ›

It is recommended to eat leftover fish within 3 days. If the fish is of high quality and has no foul odor, it can last in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5506

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.