Authentic Thai-style Steamed Fish Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Authentic Thai Seafood recipe — Thai-style steamed fish. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026

4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Authentic Thai-style Steamed Fish Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 1 kg whole fish (like snapper or sea bass) (cleaned and scaled)
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 3 slices fresh ginger (thinly sliced)
  • 2 stalks lemongrass (bruised)
  • 3 stalks fresh cilantro (for garnish)
  • 1 red chili thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • 1 cup water (for steaming)

Instructions

5 steps

  1. Prepare the Fish

    Clean and scale the whole fish, then make diagonal cuts on both sides.

    This helps the flavors to penetrate the fish.
  2. Marinate

    Rub the fish with fish sauce and lime juice, then place ginger and lemongrass inside the cavity.

    Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Set Up Steamer

    Bring water to a boil in a steamer or a large pot with a steaming rack.

    Ensure the steamer is ready before placing the fish.
  4. Steam the Fish

    Place the fish on the steamer rack and cover. Steam for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked.

    The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Serve

    Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced chili before serving.

    Serve with steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Always use fresh fish for the best flavor. Adjust the amount of chili based on your spice preference. You can add vegetables like bok choy to the steamer for a complete dish.

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 1 day in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 1 month — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Gently reheat in a pan over low heat. Avoid microwaving seafood as it can become rubbery.

What to Serve With

Complete your thai meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Jasmine rice
🍽️Papaya salad
🍽️Thai iced tea

About This Dish

Authentic Thai-style Steamed Fish Recipe for Seafood Lovers is a beloved dish from Thai cuisine.

Thai cuisine is famous for its bold flavors and the delicate balance of four fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Fresh herbs and aromatic ingredients are used extensively.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 8 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresh fish is recommended, but if using frozen, ensure it's fully thawed before cooking.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories250kcal
Total Fat12gg
Sodium600mgmg
Total Carbohydrates5gg
Dietary Fiber0gg
Total Sugars1gg
Protein30gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineThai
CategorySeafood