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    Home » Recipe Index » Seafood Dishes

    Easy Instant Pot Fish (can cook from frozen!)

    July 22, 2020 Updated July 29, 2022 By Rebecca Cooking for One, Instant Pot Recipes, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Seafood Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli with text overlay
    white fish with lemon slices on top on a plate with text overlay

    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!

    cod with lemon slices on top with couscous and broccoli on a white plate

    [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?
    • What makes this fish recipe so good?
    • How do I make pressure cooker fish?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    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:

    • Apple Cucumber Salad
    • Air Fryer Broccolini
    • Roasted Broccoli and Mushrooms
    • Carrot Cucumber Salad

    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.

    cod with lemon on top on a steamer basket

    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.

    cod with lemon slices on top on a plate

    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

    Can you cook fish in Instant Pot?

    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.

    How do you steam frozen fish in an Instant Pot?

    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.

    How long do you steam fish in an Instant Pot?

    Steam thawed fish for about 2-3 minutes (depending on thickness) and frozen fish for 8-14 minutes depending on thickness.

    steamed cod with lemon slices on top next to broccoli

    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!

    cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Instant Pot Fish from Frozen

    This Instant Pot steamed white 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. Oh and did I mention that you can cook cod, tilapia, or halibut this way from frozen? No need to plan ahead or defrost it before cooking.
    Course dinner, Lunch, main
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 2 minutes
    Cook Time 28 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    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

    Easy Instant Pot Steamed Fish

    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.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this Instant Pot fish delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Seafood Dishes

    • Jerk Shrimp Pasta
    • Shrimp Foil Packet in the Oven
    • Steak and Shrimp Fajitas
    • Pan Seared Salmon with Summer Salad

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 23, 2020 at 3:02 pm

        yes, I was really hesitant too but using frozen gives you a bit of wiggle room!

        Reply
    2. Noelle says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      This was so simple! Loved the flavors, perfect for dinner!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 23, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        totally! thanks!

        Reply
    3. Shanna says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 23, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        yes, this one is super easy & delicious

        Reply
    4. Stephanie says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 23, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        a steamer basket is the only accessory I've bought and it's all I need! you'll love one

        Reply
    5. Christian Guzman says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      That's great! Such a great idea for something so healthy and good for you.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

        thanks!

        Reply
    6. Greg says

      October 28, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        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

        Reply
    7. Jill says

      March 03, 2022 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 04, 2022 at 2:42 pm

        Thanks for sharing what worked for you! Hope it turned out nicely

        Reply
    8. Pat Gerbrandt says

      September 22, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      I don't have the Instant Pot bowl. What can I subsitute?

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 28, 2022 at 2:57 pm

        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!

        Reply

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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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