Fish en Papillote is an elegant yet simple dish in which fish and veggies are wrapped in parchment paper and cooked together until delicious perfection. Naturally Paleo, Keto and Whole30.
En papillote is a method of cooking food in a pocket of parchment paper - also known as "Fish in Parchment Paper". This pocket holds moisture to steam food to perfection. This method is also ideal to prepare food when camping.
En papillote is essentially a one-pan meal that comes in individual servings. You can use your favorite vegetables and seasonings - check out the many ideas on bottom of post. Fish is most often used papillote style but chicken is a good choice too.
Fish in Parchment Paper
A papillote pocket is created by overlapping sides and folding them tightly around the food to create a seal. It's a simple technique even with parchment paper so don't be tempted to use aluminum foil to make it even simpler.
I rarely cook with aluminum foil and when the need arises, I always place a sheet of parchment paper to create a barrier. Foil should never touch food during cooking because it leaches aluminum in high temperatures. So ditch the foil and pull out that parchment paper instead.
Fish en Papillote with Vegetables
You can have Fish en Papillote weekly and not tire from it because there are so many different ways to enjoy this dish. The cooking method is the same, as long as you are using fish as your protein source.
Check out these yummy flavors:
- Mediterranean Style: sliced red onions, Kalamata olives, capers, sliced red bell peppers, grape tomatoes
- Asian Flare: bok choy, julienned carrots, ginger, garlic with thin slices of oranges
- Basil Mushroom: favorite mushrooms, yellow onions, and thin ribbons of basil with a splash of white wine
- Spring Medley: asparagus, shaved brussel sprouts, thinly sliced fennel, fresh dill and parsley
The possibilities are endless with en papillote. They're all delicious and it's a convenient way to make a one-pan meal without a pan. 😉
Related: How to Make Mayonnaise
Helpful Tools for Fish en Papillote
- Rimmed Baking Sheet - for holding all the packets to make baking easier
- Parchment Paper - to wrap all the goodies
- Chef's Knife - precisely cut the fish & veggies
- Ingredients:mayonnaise, avocado oil, dried parsley, dried dill, salt & pepper
Paleo, Whole30 and Keto Fish en Papillote
This recipe is naturally free from dairy and grains, making it a healthy option for Paleo, Whole 30, and Keto diets. Just be sure that the mayonnaise you use is made with clean ingredients or better yet - make your own. Alternatively, you can also use different fish such as salmon.
Fish en Papillote (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 4 fillets Alaskan Cod
- 1 lemon sliced
- 4 mini bell peppers halved
- 8 broccolini trimmed
- 8 grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup white onion sliced
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, oil, dill and parsley. Set aside.
- Prepare 4 pieces of large parchment paper folded then opened up in conveyor style.
- Pat dry fish fillets and generously slather them with the mayo/oil mixture. Place them on one half of the parchment paper.
- Layer veggies in the order given above. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Fold the other half of the parchment paper on top of the fish and veggies and begin tightly crimping the edges together starting at one end and moving towards to other one, creating a half-moon. It helps to use one hand to firmly hold the contents of the packet as I make my way across the half moon shape.
- Make sure the packet is tightly sealed. Place all packets on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake the packets for 15 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
- Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut the packet open. Be careful - it's hot and steamy.
- Enjoy with a side salad or on it's own if it's loaded with veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
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Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
These are so special! Such a beautiful recipe! Parchment paper wrapped meals reminds me of my childhood, and one meal in particular that my mom made (and I loved it ... I thought it was so elegant and fancy). I love the herbs you used in these, especially the dill. Love this recipe!
Anya says
Thank you Emily. Isn't it amazing how something can totally take us back to our childhood.
Raia Todd says
Sooo... I'm curious how you do this over a campfire without catching the parchment on fire! Do you just use tinfoil instead in that case? It sounds like the perfect camping meal!
Anya says
It is the perfect camping meal...I wrap the contents in the parchment paper first then in tinfoil but the foil never touches my food. 🙂 Soooo good.
Allison Wojtowecz says
Ooh this is a different method of fish preparation than I've ever tried! It looks and sounds amazing!
Anya says
Thank you Allison. 🙂
Tina says
This was a bad idea... me looking at this recipe before lunch time! You're making me SO HUNGRY!
Anya says
Haha! That's me every time. 😉
linda spiker says
This recipe is so simple and pretty! I bet it's delicious as well!
Anya says
Yes!! Thank you Linda.
Renee says
Ohh I love all the flavor change ups! Thank you for that! I want to try the Asian flare one!
Anya says
Love that one!!
Corrine says
Love the versatility of this dish! And it's such an elegant looking meal!
Anya says
Thank you Corrine. It does give the appearance of an "elegant" dish without all the hassle.
Michele Spring says
I love fish en papillote but have never tried it with a mayo on it. I will definitely be trying this since it's such a quick and simple way to cook dinner!
Anya says
I love the creaminess it adds. So good. Enjoy!
Jo Romero says
I know so many people who don't cook fish because they just don't know what to do with it, or how to cook it. This is a great way of keeping all that moisture in and cooking it perfectly. Looks beautiful!
Anya says
Thanks Jo. I agree - this adds a unique twist to the regular fish making.
Donna says
Fantastic recipe, I can't wait to give it a go as I'm always on the hunt for new and fun fish recipes!
Anya says
Hope you like this one Donna. 🙂
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
This looks incredible, and I'm intrigued by the mayonnaise, I bet it keeps everything perfectly moist and makes an awesome sauce!
Anya says
Yep - it adds flavor to the fish and veggies.
Anne Marie says
Such a fresh and simple dinner! Can't wait to try.
Anya says
Hope you like it Anne Marie. 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
These look so good and I love all the variations! I love how cute the little pocket looks folded up!
Anya says
Agreed Jessica!
ChihYu says
I love white fish and this recipe looks perfect for it ! So moist and delicious ! YUM !!
Katja says
I have always wanted to try cooking fish like this. I have to try it. Looks delish!
Anya says
Hope you like it Katja.
Georgina Young says
I love how simple this recipe is but it looks soooo delicious too! I love the fact you can just throw everything together in one go - perfect for busy families.
Anya says
It is perfect for busy families! Thanks Georgina.
Real Food with Dana says
Love fish en papillote! Love that you provided a bunch of different flavor options too!
Anya says
Thanks Dana. We love it too. 🙂
Carrie Forrest says
This looks like such a delicious and colorful fish dish.
Cristina Curp says
Perfect little baked pockets of goodness! I shared this with a friend who is only eating fish for a month 🙂
Anya says
Thanks Cristina for sharing. Very interesting concept to eat fish for a month.
Stacey L Crawford says
Such a lovely, healthy and simple fish recipe! Fish is the best cooked in parchment paper ! 🙂
Mark says
Oh wow you have given me so many ideas here! And the recipe looks absolutely fab, will definitely be saving it, thank you Anya!
Anya says
You're very welcome, Mark. Enjoy!
Vanessa Woozley says
All those different suggestions do sound delicious and it's such a simple way to cook fish for the family.
Anya says
Thanks Vanessa. I agree - fish en papillote gives variety.
Becky Winkler says
Such pretty little packets of deliciousness!
Anya says
Thank you Becky.
Carol says
What a lovely dish! So quick and easy. I used halibut and didn't have any broccolini so I used snow peas instead. Definitely my go to for white fish now. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
Anya says
Glad to hear it was a winner!