Aromatic Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce Recipe

Ocean-fresh fish kissed by a delicate steam bath with ginger and soy sauce creates a light, healthful meal that sings with Asian-inspired flavors.

The gentle cooking method preserves every succulent morsel of fish, ensuring a tender, flaky texture.

soy sauce adds a deep, umami richness that perfectly complements the bright, zesty ginger.

Delicate aromatics weave through each bite, promising a restaurant-quality dish you can easily craft at home.

This simple yet elegant recipe requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Seafood lovers will delight in this quick, nutritious meal that brings the essence of coastal cuisine directly to your plate.

How to Steam Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce

• Fish Selection

Choose a fresh, high-quality white fish like sea bass or cod with firm, translucent flesh and mild ocean fragrance.

• Flavor Preparation

Create a delicate seasoning blend using sesame oil, aromatic ginger, and fragrant herbs to enhance natural fish taste.

• Sauce Creation

Craft a savory liquid infusion combining soy sauce, minced garlic, and delicate spices that will complement the fish’s gentle profile.

• Steaming Setup

Arrange fish on a shallow plate surrounded by julienned vegetables like carrots and onions, creating a delicious aromatic bed.

• Cooking Process

Steam the fish gently, allowing heat to softly penetrate the flesh, transforming its texture into tender, flaky perfection.

• Final Touch

Drizzle prepared sauce over the steamed fish, garnishing with fresh green onions and optional herbs to elevate the dish’s visual and flavor complexity.

• Serving

Present the steamed fish immediately with fluffy white rice, allowing the delicate flavors to shine on the plate.

Tips for Flavors in Steamed Fish Dishes

• Add a splash of Shaoxing wine or rice wine to the sauce for an authentic Chinese restaurant-style depth that elevates the entire dish.
• Replace standard carrots with julienned bell peppers or zucchini to create exciting color and texture variations that keep the recipe interesting and nutritious.
• Try this steaming technique with salmon, cod, or tilapia – each fish brings its unique flavor profile while maintaining the delicate cooking method that preserves moisture and tenderness.
• For those craving extra heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle chili oil over the finished dish to transform the mild flavor into a more vibrant, zesty experience that tingles the taste buds.
• Transform remaining steamed fish into a quick seafood salad by flaking the fish and mixing with fresh herbs, a light vinaigrette, and crisp vegetables for a refreshing next-day lunch option.

Ways to Serve Steamed Fish with Style

• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top to add a burst of color and bright, zesty flavor that complements the delicate fish perfectly.
• Asian-Inspired Side Plating: Serve the steamed fish atop a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, allowing the savory sauce to soak into the grains and create a delicious complete meal.
• Vegetable Companion: Add a simple side of steamed bok choy or stir-fried mixed vegetables to balance the protein and provide a nutritious, well-rounded dining experience.
• Spice Lover's Twist: Drizzle a touch of chili oil or sprinkle red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a subtle kick of heat alongside the tender, aromatic fish dish.

Save and Store Steamed Fish Properly

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover steamed fish in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it refrigerated for maximum freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Smart Consumption Window: Enjoy refrigerated fish within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, ensuring the delicate flavors remain intact and the fish doesn't lose its tender quality.
• Easy Reheating Technique: Gently warm fish in a steamer or microwave with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture, avoiding direct high heat that could dry out the delicate fish.
• Freezing Wisdom: If needed, wrap individual fish portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 weeks without compromising taste or nutritional value.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients for Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce

• Fish Fillet: Choose a delicate white-fleshed fish like cod or sea bass for tender, flaky texture and mild flavor that absorbs seasonings beautifully.

• Onion, Scallion, Carrot, Ginger: These vibrant vegetables add layers of crispness, sharpness, and subtle sweetness while providing colorful visual appeal and complementary textures to the dish.

• Toasted Sesame Oil: Delivers rich, nutty undertones that elevate the entire dish with its distinctive warm aroma.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and intensifying the natural flavors of the fish and accompaniments.

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth, light foundation for building complex sauce layers.
• Shallots, Garlic, Ginger: These aromatic ingredients contribute depth, warmth, and sharp culinary complexity to the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces a savory, umami-rich element that ties all ingredients together with a classic Asian-inspired profile.

Tools for Perfect Steamed Fish Every Time

• Steamer: Essential for gently cooking fish and vegetables with consistent heat.
• Shallow Steaming Plate: Perfect for holding fish and catching delicate cooking juices.
• Cutting Board: Needed for precise julienning ginger, vegetables, and herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Critical for creating thin, uniform cuts of ginger and scallions.
• Small Pot: Used for preparing the aromatic soy sauce mixture.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add salt and measure ingredients.
• Mixing Bowl: Convenient for combining sauce ingredients and transferring mixtures.
• Foil: Useful for covering fish during initial steaming stages.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir sauce and transfer ingredients smoothly.

Perfectly Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chinese home-style Ginger Soy Steamed Fish delivers delicate flavors that dance across palates. Delicious fish fillets emerge perfectly tender, seasoned with classic ingredients that promise authentic Asian comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12–14 oz (340–400 g) fish fillet with white flesh (skin-on)
• 4–5 scallion stalks, cut into short sections, then julienned/shredded
• 1.5 to 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 ½-inch piece of ginger, julienned
• ½ medium carrot, julienned
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsps toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 small onion, very thinly sliced (or half a medium onion)
• 2 small shallots, minced (optional)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp minced ginger
• 1/8 tsp salt (optional to taste)
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning: Coat fish with sesame oil, salt, and ground black pepper, ensuring uniform coverage.
2. Prep Ingredients: Slice ginger into julienne strips, and cut carrots and scallions into thin, uniform pieces; mince garlic, shallots, and additional ginger.
3. Sauce Development: Heat olive oil in a saucepan, sauté minced shallots and garlic until translucent; add remaining ginger, then pour in soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Simmer briefly and transfer to a serving bowl.
4. Fish Assembly: Arrange seasoned fish on a heat-resistant plate, layering julienned ginger, onions, and carrots around and over the fish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
5. Steaming Process: Place plate in steamer, cook at medium-high heat for 8-9 minutes. Remove foil, verify fish is opaque and flakes easily.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle prepared sauce over fish, ensuring even distribution. Sprinkle fresh scallion strips on top.
7. Final Cooking: Return fish to steamer for 4-6 minutes to integrate flavors completely. Plate immediately, optionally garnish with cilantro, and serve with steamed rice.

Notes

• Select Fresh Fish: Choose firm, white-fleshed fish like sea bass, halibut, or cod for optimal texture and flavor absorption.
• Prep Ginger Technique: Slice ginger against the grain into ultra-thin strips to release maximum aromatic oils and ensure even flavor distribution.
• Steam Timing Precision: Watch cooking time closely; overcooking causes fish to become dry and tough, while undercooking leaves it raw and potentially unsafe.
• Sauce Balance: Create a harmonious sauce by balancing soy sauce’s saltiness with a touch of sweetness or acidity to enhance the fish’s delicate flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 60mg