Fish stock, when done right, is rich in vitamins and minerals. This simple and quick-to-make elixir is liquid gold to your health.
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If you've never prepared traditional fish stock, roll up your sleeves and let's get to it. It's very similar to regular beef or chicken bone broth, only we're using whole fish to make it. Also, roasting the bones isn't necessary when making fish stock neither is including Apple Cider Vinegar. This is a simple technique I learned from my mom and I've been using this method for over a decade. There really is no right or wrong in this, more of a personal preference.
Why make fish stock?
Well, because according to South American Proverb "fish broth will cure anything." In prior times, the butcher and fishmonger have always sold the meat and fish on the bone. It wasn't until recently, Americans began preferring their meat and fish de-boned and filleted.
Convenient? Yes. Nutritious? Not so much.
You see, when you cook the entire fish, you are producing collagen from the cartilage that can only be found in bones and heads. Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids responsible for healthy hair, skin and nails and it's also used to restore elasticity to the joints making it a perfect supplement for those suffering from arthritis. (source) There are more benefits to collagen beyond the scope of this post but suffice it to say, it has tremendous capabilities to heal and nurture your body.
Making stock with fish heads also gives you a very iodine-rich broth that is healing to the thyroid. The thyroid gland of the fish is in the head but it disintegrates so much during cooking that you won't even taste it but instead, produces a very iodine-dense broth. And since most people are deficient in this mineral that's responsible for metabolism and hormone health, it would behoove you to make this on a regular basis. (source)
Why else would I make Fish Stock?
Simply put, fish stock is surprisingly cheap to make. Most fish markets will sell their unused fish heads and carcass for super cheap (and sometimes free!). And yet the benefits that fish stock gives is tremendous. It's very similar to the concept of bone broth, where you use unwanted animal parts at incredibly low prices to make something so rich in nutrition. You really can't beat the powerhouse of nutrition that you get from fish stock (or bone broth for that matter) for pennies on the dollar. It's cheap. It's healthy. It's a win in my book.
Related: How to Make Bone Broth - 3 Methods
What is the best fish for fish stock?
Fish stock is made from the carcass of non-oily fish like snapper, sole, and cod and is ideally cooked for no longer than one hour. For a nutrient-dense stock, it's imperative that you include bones and heads as they are rich in iodine and fat-soluble vitamins. Some classic cookbooks advise against using oily fish such as salmon for fish stock because the unsaturated oils become rancid during the long cooking process, that's why I personally love fish stocks. You don't really cook them for long periods of time. Forty-five minutes to an hour is all you need for a healthy, nutritious fish stock.
Fish heads are relatively cheap at the fish market because most people go for the fleshy part of the fish. Some fishmongers will even give it away free of charge. And as always, source wild fish since farmed fish are fed grain pellets and antibiotics and spend their lives in horrible environments.
We purchased this 18-pound white sturgeon and my husband filleted it and I processed the meat and flesh of the fish. I prepared fish steaks for baking or grilling and fish cubes for this Cilantro and Chili Ceviche. All that's remaining was this beautiful white sturgeon carcass. Pardon our lack of professionalism in taking apart this fish (yes, that is a towel under the two glass cutting boards). We had neither the tools nor the know-how to do it properly.
Before the World Conservation Society comes knocking at my door, let me just say, I am aware sturgeon fish are considered at risk. Sturgeons are valued for their highly-prized caviar and while I admit, we used to relish those black pearls years ago, sturgeon roe hasn't touched our lips in a very long time. In fact, last I heard, it was illegal to fish {young} female sturgeon; they have to be released back into the water. Also, white sturgeon is one of the very few species of sturgeon that is NOT endangered. I feel comfortable knowing this and thus, enjoy my fish stock. 😉
How to Make Nutritious Fish Stock - a Tutorial
Thoroughly wash all the bones and the fish heads and place them into a large stockpot. You can add celery, carrots, onions, leeks, bay leaves or peppercorns to the pot but I prefer the very basic version of just bay leaves, seasoned with salt and pepper.
Tip: I prefer to flavor my fish stock separately when I'm making specific soups. Add salt after cooking and straining since you will lose some of the liquid during the cooking.
Add filtered water and place over medium-high heat to bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, continually skimming any scum that rises to the surface.
Strain fish stock using a fine mesh sieve.
Now would be a good time to clean out your fish and fish out for some flesh (pun totally intended). Yep, that in my hand is a real fish eye. This would be for the chickens.
And this would be for us. Delicious, tender white sturgeon flakes.
Use stock within a day or freeze in quart-size jars or half-gallon jars (be sure to allow room for expansion) for up to 3 months.
Tip: Remaining fish carcass is a great fertilizer for your garden. You can grind it up and compost it.
I like to enjoy fish stock with chopped green onions, fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice for a nice side addition to breakfast. There are also a myriad of different soups and chowders that would call for fish stock and since we are officially in Fall mode, there will be lots of yummy recipes to come. This Easy Nourishing Fish Soup also calls for fish stock.
Related: Easy Nourishing Fish Soup
How to Make Nutritious Fish Stock - Recipe
Printable Recipe
How to Make Nutritious Fish Stock
Ingredients
- head and/or carcass of wild non-oily fish rockfish, halibut, sole
- vegetable scraps of your own choosing carrots, onions, bell peppers*
- 4-6 bay leaves my pick
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns my pick
- 1 tablespoon unrefined salt my pick
- 3-4 quarts filtered water
Instructions
- Place fish heads/carcass and vegetable scraps along with seasonings in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil
- Reduce heat to medium and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
- Refrigerate for up to one day or store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
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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Terrapin says
Any opinion on whether to remove scales or leave them on ?
I filleted some speckled trout, and have skins with scales on, along with the heads and bones. All ok in the stock ? Or would it be better to remove the scales first ?
thanks
Anya says
I would remove the scales. Heads and bones are more than okay in the fish stock. In fact, that's what will give you the gelatinous, most nutrient dense stock. But scales need to go. 🙂
joshua shemeta says
i ate the eyeball 🙂
thanks for the recipe and info - i been loving bones lately for the collagen n mineral content - my friends started fishing lately so i'll probably have a regular flow of bones to cook with. later i'll be joining them so that is A W E S O M E. cheers!
Anya says
The collagen and minerals in fish broth are remarkable! So glad you can enjoy it!
joshua shemeta says
i ate the eyeball 🙂
thanks for the post, i will be learning to fish soon (finally!), and recently my friends started fishing so bones are starting to become a regular ingredient. very lovely
Anya says
Haha! So happy to hear that. Enjoy!
Leticia says
Hi, what do you do with the meat that you "fish" out? Is it good to eat or prepare other dishes? Or it just goes to the bin?
Anya says
Hi Leticia,
That meat is good to eat and you can use that in fish soups and other recipes. 🙂
Kevin says
I'm a bit late on this topic, but a Chinese herbal medicine guy says put in a kiwi fruit as it helps to disolve the bones and collagen. This is what plan to do. Thanks for your article which has encouraged me to try this. Greetings from Australia