This Instant Pot fish recipe is the easiest way to cook fish. Not only is it easy, but it comes out tender, flaky, and perfect in less than 15 minutes. It's best served hot with this lemon herb couscous. It can even be cooked frozen!
[This recipe was originally posted in July 2020. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
How will this fish make my life easier?
Make Instant Pot tilaipa, cod, or even salmon. This is my new favorite way to cook fish, it's like cooking it in parchment in the oven, but won't heat up your house which is perfect during the summer.
Serve it with:
What makes this fish recipe so good?
- 4-6 oz white fish such as cod, tilapia, halibut
- Butter
- Lemon
How do I make pressure cooker fish?
Pour 1 c water into Instant Pot bowl. Place trivet or (Instant Pot safe) steamer basket in bowl. Place frozen fish filet on trivet or steamer basket. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place butter on top of fish, and cover fish with lemon slices.
Replace lid, set vent to SEALING. Set to MANUAL, high pressure, and adjust time to 8 minutes if less than 1 in thick, or 12 for 1-2 in thick.
Once timer goes off, QUICK RELEASE pressure and remove (flip the vent to venting). Check temperature with instant read thermometer. Temperature in middle of fish should be at least 145 degrees. Serve your Instant Pot fish with rice or herb couscous.
You may need to cook for longer, depending on fish thickness and Instant Pot.
Substitutions/Tips
- Remember that cooking in your Instant Pot takes about 2x as long as the cook time is, it takes time to get up to pressure and then to release it.
- Use this recipe to make Instant Pot tilapia or cod. It probably works with salmon too, I just haven't tested it for time.
- If fish isn't done, set timer for a couple extra minutes to finish cooking. It usually gets up to pressure more quickly if it's just been used.
- Other great add-ins: Italian seasoning, Cajun style seasoning, other seasoning. Cook vegetables/sides separately.
FAQ
Yes, you can cook Instant Pot fish from frozen too. Add at least 1 cup of water, place the fish on trivet, cook on manual-high for at least 8 minutes, depending on fish's thickness. Refer to cooking instructions below for specific cook time.
Add at least 1 cup of water, place the frozen fish on a trivet, and cook on manual-high for at least 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Refer to the cooking instructions below for specific cooking time.
Steam thawed fish for about 2-3 minutes (depending on thickness) and frozen fish for 8-14 minutes depending on thickness.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Lemon: Lemon Pasta Carbonara or Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon
- White Fish (cod, tilapia, halibut): Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa, or swap the salmon out in How to Bake Salmon in Parchment.
Did you make this Instant Pot fish? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Instant Pot Fish from Frozen
Equipment
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- Trivet/Steamer Basket
- cutting board
- knife
- Tongs/Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4-6 oz white fish such as cod, tilapia, halibut
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 3 slices lemon
- pinch of salt & pepper
Instructions
- Pour 1 c water into Instant Pot bowl. Place trivet or (Instant Pot safe) steamer basket in bowl. Place frozen fish filet on trivet. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place 1 teaspoon butter on top of fish, and cover fish with 3 slices of lemon.
- Replace lid, set vent to SEALING. Set to MANUAL, high pressure, and adjust time to 8 minutes if less than 1 in thick, or 12 for 1-2 in thick.
- Once timer goes off, QUICK RELEASE pressure and remove. Check temperature with instant read thermometer. Temperature in middle of fish should be at least 145 degrees. Serve with rice or herb couscous.
Video
Notes
- Use your favorite white fish (cod, tilapia, halibut). It probably works with salmon too, I just haven't tested it for time)
- If fish isn't done, set timer for a couple extra minutes to finish cooking. It usually gets up to pressure more quickly if it's just been used.
- Herb Couscous recipe.
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Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I've never cooked fish or any seafood in an Instant Pot because I thought it was too delicate (and seafood cooks pretty quickly anyway), but this really makes a beautiful (and unmarred) piece of fish. Love that you can use frozen filets without having to defrost.
Rebecca says
yes, I was really hesitant too but using frozen gives you a bit of wiggle room!
Noelle says
This was so simple! Loved the flavors, perfect for dinner!
Rebecca says
totally! thanks!
Shanna says
I have always wanted to try fish in the Instant Pot. But I have never found a good recipe until now. Thank you so much for sharing.
Rebecca says
yes, this one is super easy & delicious
Stephanie says
Oh, I can't wait to try this! I need to get a steamer basket for my instant pot. I just started using it, so I am working on building up the accessories. We eat a lot of fish in my house, though, so I am excited to make it in the instant pot!
Rebecca says
a steamer basket is the only accessory I've bought and it's all I need! you'll love one
Christian Guzman says
That's great! Such a great idea for something so healthy and good for you.
Rebecca says
thanks!
Greg says
It mentions leaving the insta pot on venting for the cooking cycle. Is this right and if so how does it get up to pressure if it's alway venting steam. Also what is different between venting and quick release? I thought they were the same.
Rebecca says
Hi Greg, great question. I need to update the recipe, because it's wrong. You'll close the valve to cook the fish, then, when the timer goes off, flip the vent to venting. That's how you quick release the steam. thanks for asking
Jill says
I started from a defrosted halibut filet and pressure cooked on high for 12 mins—ended up having to put it back in for 5 more mins. The filet was pretty thick—about 1.5 inches.
Rebecca says
Thanks for sharing what worked for you! Hope it turned out nicely
Pat Gerbrandt says
I don't have the Instant Pot bowl. What can I subsitute?
Rebecca says
IF you don't have an instant pot, your best option would be to bake the fish in the oven. You can use the Easy Salmon Recipe on Nourish Nutrition Blog to bake it in parchment (just search salmon and it'll show up), you may need to cook it a different amount of time, depending on how thick your fish is. If you do have an Instant Pot, just use the regular bowl that you use to cook food in. Hope that gets you started!