Helping campers since 2011

How To Cook Fish At Camp:
Steamed Citrus Fish

You'll need to know how to cook fish if you take the kids fishing and they catch something!

Or perhaps you brought some fish fillets from home and are wondering what to do with them.

Either way, you need a quick and easy method for cooking your fish. This foolproof recipe is the way to go!

Two small children holding up a freshly-caught fish

How To Cook Fish

Or perhaps you brought some fish fillets from home and are wondering what to do with them.

Either way, you need a quick and easy method for cooking your fish. This foolproof recipe is the way to go!

I like to make this meal in a cast iron skillet. Whatever pan you use, be sure that it has a lid.

If you are camping in an RV, I don't suggest using your indoor stove to cook this meal unless you want your camper to smell fishy for the rest of the day - and night!

Instead, use your camping stove or cook over a campfire.

If you are going to cook over a fire, be sure to start the fire long before you want to eat. Give it time to burn down to nice hot coals.

At home

What to pack

Food

In food box

oranges (one large orange for each medium sized fish)
salt
pepper

In cooler

fish fillets (unless you plan to catch your own)

Pots and utensils

skillet with a tight-fitting lid (I like cast iron)
cutting board
sharp knife

At camp

First, fillet your fish. (Sorry - I can't help you with that! I'm somewhat embarrassed to tell you that I leave that to my husband and kids!)

Slice the oranges thickly.
Lay them on the bottom of a large skillet or frying pan.

Lay the fish on top of the oranges.
Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper.

Some fish fillets lying on orange slices in an iron skillet

Heat the pan until the orange slices begin to sizzle.
Add water to the pan until the water is level with the top of the orange slices.
Cover the pan.
Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the fish is done.

Cooking time will vary widely depending on your fish, your fire and your cookware - so keep a close eye on things!

You'll know the fish is done when it smells good, when it is opaque (solidly colored, no longer transparent) and when it flakes easily when you prod it with a fork.