3 Super Delicious Triggerfish Recipes to Try at Home

These 3 delicious and quick triggerfish recipes are so easy, you can make at home within 20-25 minutes with simple 6-7 ingredients available in your kitchen. 

Triggerfish is a small, cute fish that has a big impact on taste. Although it’s small in size, the taste is heavily flavored. They taste like crab when cooked and have some kind of sweetness. Basically, the one attribute that differentiates triggerfish from other fishes. 

Now, if you would like to give it a try, we present you with three delicious, mouthwatering triggerfish recipes that will leave you wanting more. Let’s get started. 

What is a Triggerfish?

Trigger fish is a small, white, thin, and cute fish found in tropical and subtropical oceans. This fish used to be showcased in aquariums, but chefs somehow found a way to cook this fish, and it turned out to be a delicious one.

It’s a saltwater fish that stays primarily in the hot water of the ocean. The name is unique. It is named after their unique ability. The fish have to shoot straight up and lock two of their three dorsal fins in place. This allows them to nestle securely into crevices throughout coral reefs. 

How to Cook Triggerfish?

You can cook a triggerfish in many ways, such as roast, grill, pan-seared, or bake, and each of them has its own different taste that is mouthwatering. This fish has a texture of sweetness and it’s thick, white, and flaky. That makes it different from all other fish that have a fishy smell or taste. 

If you’ve tasted big crab meats, you might find similarities with this fish. The texture and sweetness is the same. So however you cook this fish, it will taste really good. And this fish is also healthy since it’s low in fat and calories. This is the reason this fish is quite famous now. Now, would you like to try some special triggerfish recipes, and then keep on reading. 

Here are three types of triggerfish recipes you should try at your home at least once.  

1. Baked Lemon Butter Triggerfish Recipe

This recipe is known as one of the best triggerfish recipes out there. Because it’s simple and easy to make, takes only 5-6 ingredients and 20 minutes to be done with it. Yet gives the scrumptious taste of a sweet, tasty, lovely triggerfish. Let’s start making it.  

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

• 2 Triggerfish Filets
• 1 Lemon Juice
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Tbsp Caper
• ¼ Tsp Black Pepper 
• ½ Tsp Salt
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions on How to Make Baked Lemon Butter Triggerfish Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Triggerfish

Clean the fish properly and thoroughly. After that, soak up the excess water. Try using a paper towel for the best case. Now keep them on a big baking dish so that the filet pieces don’t crowd themselves. 

Step 2: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, prepare the seasonings to coat the fish. 

Step 3: Season Properly

Now season the filets with the ingredients needed, properly so that not even a spot is left. Seasoning is important for proper taste and juiciness. 

Step 4: Bake the Triggerfish

Put the fish in a baking tray covered with aluminum foil. It’s helpful in keeping the moisture and preventing drying out while baking. 

Now put it into your preheated oven and bake for 16 minutes. Baking time depends on the thickness of the fish. You’ll know when the fish is done; it will be opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 5: Rest & Serve

Once the baking is done, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes, then serve it with your preferred sides. Serve hot. 

What to Serve with This Dish?

• Steamed Vegetable: To make a healthy and colorful side dish, use broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers as steamed vegetables.
• Lemon Rice: To complement triggerfish, rice cooked with chicken stock and lemon zest can’t go wrong. 
• Grilled Asparagus: Grill asparagus with olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper until it’s tender enough to eat.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Since the fish is baked, mashed potatoes can make a great side dish to balance the meal.  
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad: Simple, refreshing tomato and cucumber. They’re added with onion and avocado. They make a great combination with this rich dish. 

2. Low-Fat Oven-Fried Triggerfish Recipe

If you are looking for a healthy triggerfish recipe, this could be one you need. It’s low in fat as the name says and tastes really good as it’s a breaded triggerfish recipe. Let’s see how you can make this easy dish at home. 

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

• 1 Pound Triggerfish Filet
• 1 Cup of Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 Tbsp Parsley
• ¼ Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 Tsp Cajun
• 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• ½ Tsp Salt
• ¼ Tsp Black Pepper

Instructions on How to Make a Low-Fat Oven-Fried Triggerfish Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Take a rimmed baking sheet and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Besides, prepare the seasonings to coat the fish. 

Step 2: Season Properly

Season the fresh fish filet with salt and pepper, thoroughly on both sides. 

Step 3: Dip and Coat

Take a bowl and combine panko crumbs and parsley in it to add flour later on. Then, take another bowl to whisk eggs with Cajun seasonings and mayonnaise. 

Now dip the filets in the flour coating thoroughly. After that, put the coated filets into the egg mix to give them the second coat. And lastly, coat them in the crumb mix and lightly tap so that crumbs adhere to the fish.

Step 4: Baking Time

Now take the sprayed baking sheet and put the coated filets on it so that they don’t crowd themselves. Put the tray into the oven and bake for 16-20 minutes until the fish is cooked to the point they easily flake with a fork.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

Take out from the oven and rest a little while. Serve with your favorite sides and it’s a hearty and savory meal.

Servings with This Dish

• Lemon Wedges: It’s a good fit to snack with this dish. Make it a heavy meal for lunch or dinner, however you want it to be.
• Tartar Sauce: This sauce is savory and will add an extra flavor to your dish.
• Remoulade Sauce: Full of flavors and richness, this sauce won’t go wrong with this low-fat oven-baked triggerfish dish. 

3. Pan-Seared Triggerfish Recipe

This is another triggerfish recipe that is pan-fried, to answer your question about how to pan cook triggerfish. It’s the simple and quickest recipe for triggerfish. Takes only 5-10 minutes to cook. Let’s see how to make it.

Ingredients Needed to Make This Dish

• 4 Triggerfish Filets
• 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
• 1 Cube Butter
• Juice of 1 Lemon 
• ½ Tsp Salt
• !/4 Tsp Pepper

Instructions on How to Make Pan-Seared Triggerfish Recipe

Step 1: Season Thoroughly

Season the fish filet with salt and pepper thoroughly. Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 2: Prepare the Pan.

Put a pan over your stove with medium to high heat. Pour cooking oil and butter. 

Step 3: Sear on The Pan

Now put the seasoned filets into the oil and butter. Both sides will take 2 minutes to sear properly. So don’t leave the pan, searing is quick.

Servings with This Dish

• Ham Hock Jus: This side dish adds richness to the triggerfish dish and makes the meal an extravaganza. It’ll feel like you’re dining in a restaurant.
• Roasted Vegetables: For a healthy meal, roasted vegetables are a good option. It’s going to bring a smoky flavor to your dish.
• Sauteed Vegetables: Another version of healthy vegetables to add as a side to your meal. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Triggerfish Good to Eat?

Yes, you can eat triggerfish. In fact, it’s a healthy seafood that comes with low fat, low calorie, and contains essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. Since it’s seafood, make sure of the sourcing, since there’s a chance of them being toxic if the source is not right. 

What’s a Triggerfish Taste Like?

Triggerfish is very tasty and delicious. It tastes like big crabs when cooked. Its white meat is thick and flaky with a bit of sweetness. That’s what makes this fish different from other fishy tasting fishes. 

How Do I Know When My Fish Is Cooked?

When your fish is opaque and can easily be flaked by a fork, that’s when your fish is done. You have your delicious fish now. When you bake them, bake according to the thickness of the fish. 

To Sum Up

There are lots of triggerfish recipes to try at home. All you need to do is gather some triggerfish to cook. The ingredients it needs are always available in your kitchen. So you don’t have to worry about that. 

Try out the recipes given above and treat yourself to a juicy, delicious, and mouthwatering meal. They’re so easy and quick to make, you can easily pull them off for any occasion, like birthdays, anniversaries, or get-togethers. Surprise your loved ones or guests with these quick yet savory meals at your place, anytime.