14 Easy Steps to Delicious British Fish and Chips (2024)

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Elaine Lemm

Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.

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Updated on 02/7/24

Tested by

Diana Rattray

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Rest Time : 30 mins

Total: 90 mins

Servings: 4 servings

What Kind of Fish Works Best With This Batter?

Use a thick white fish for this recipe; sustainable cod, haddock, or pollock are preferable. The batter includes both dark beer and sparkling water. The carbonation in the beer and sparkling water and the type of fish suggested ensures a light, mild, tender outcome, which is perfect for crispy fish and chips.

14 Easy Steps to Delicious British Fish and Chips (3)

Fry the Fish and Chips in the Same Pot

Use one pot to fry the chips, then the fish, and then the chips again for that crisp exterior and fluffy interior. To ensure that both fish and chips are ready to eat at the same time, keep the fish warm in a low oven while you fry the potatoes for the second time.

Why Blanch the Chips Before Frying?

British "chips" are similar to french fries, and restaurants use a few tricks to make really good and crispy fries. The most important steps are blanching and double frying, the same methods used in this recipe. Rinsing the excess starch off the freshly cut potatoes, then simmering them briefly leaves you with blanched potatoes, resulting in uniform color and texture after frying. Patting the potatoes dry before frying ensures less moisture and will result in crispier fried chips.

Tips for the Crunchiest Fish and Chips

Use the freshest fish—When making this classic version, be sure to use the freshest cod, pollock, or haddock that you can find for the best results. Frozen fish is also fine, but make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and dried with paper towels first.
Last-minute dip—Prepare the batter and dip the fish only at the last moment before plunging it into hot oil to fry. This way, you will always have a light and crisp snap to the batter.
The best potato varieties—Use a floury potato for the chips. The best varieties are King Edward, Maris Piper, Sante, russet, and Yukon Gold.

"Although thin, the batter makes a good coating for the fish. My haddock pieces weren't thick, so cooked in 6 minutes. Nicely browned and perfectly done, the fish was soft and moist. The chips were delightfully golden brown. I'm a big fish and chips fan, and this recipe was as good as my favorite restaurant's." —Diana Rattray

14 Easy Steps to Delicious British Fish and Chips (4)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Fish:

7 tablespoons (55 grams) all-purpose flour, divided
7 tablespoons (55 grams)cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
Fine salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cupcold dark beer
1/3 cup cold sparkling water
4 (7-ounce) thick, white fish fillets

For the Chips:

2 pounds potatoes, peeled
Vegetable oil, as needed for frying

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.
Set aside 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. In a large, roomy bowl, mix the remaining 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour with 7 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Season lightly with a tiny pinch of fine salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Using a fork to whisk continuously, add 1/3 cup cold dark beer and 1/3 cup cold sparkling water to the flour mixture and continue mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter. Place the batter in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Meanwhile, cut 2-pounds peeled potatoes into a little less than 1/2-inch-thick slices, then slice these into 1/2-inch-wide sticks. Place the chips into a colander and rinse under cold water.
Place the washed chips into a saucepan of enough cold water to cover them by about 1 inch. Bring to a gentle boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 3 to4 minutes.
Drain, transfer to a paper-towel-lined-plate, then pat dry with paper towels. Keep in the fridge covered with paper towels until needed.
Meanwhile, lay 4 (7-ounce) thick, white fish fillets on a paper towel and pat dry. Season lightly with a little salt.
Heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350 Fin a deep-fryer or large, deep saucepan. Par-cook the chips a few handfuls at a time in the oil, about 2 minutes (do not brown them). Remove the chips from the oil and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Place the 2 tablespoonsof reserved flour into a shallow bowl. Toss each fish fillet in the flour andshake off any excess.
Dip into the batter, coating the entire fillet.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 200 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set aside. Bring the oil temperature back to 350 F. Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil. Fry until the batter is crisp and golden, turning the fillets occasionally with a large slotted spoon, 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove the fillets from the oil to the paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with salt and transfer to the oven to keep warm.
Heat the oil to 400 F,then cook the chips in batches until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain. Season with salt.
Serve immediately, accompanied by your favorite condiment and a cold pint.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

A light dusting—Try sprinkling the fish and chips with smoked salt or truffle salt instead of regular salt.
Swap the potato—Try the batter with sweet or purple potatoes.
Go vegetarian—Swap the fish fillets for tofu.

Why Are My Fish and Chips Soggy?

The fish and potatoes need to be dry. Removing moisture produces crispier fried food and reduces oil splatter.

Oil temperature is also key. If it's too cool, the food needs to cook longer, will soak up more oil, and become soggy. You also don't want it too hot because that can lead to a burnt batter or undercooked fish and potatoes. When deep-frying in a pan, use a thermometer to monitor and maintain the oil temperature.

Avoid overcrowding the pan. Putting too many pieces of fish or potatoes in the pan will lower the oil's temperature, resulting in soggy food.

Helpful Links

The Best Oils for Cooking Fish
How Long Meat and Fish Last in the Freezer
Tips and Methods on How to Freeze Fish
How to Store Potatoes to Keep Them Fresh

British Mains
Main Dishes
British Food
Potato Recipes

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
701	Calories
20g	Fat
72g	Carbs
54g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	701
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 186mg	62%
Sodium 517mg	22%
Total Carbohydrate 72g	26%
Dietary Fiber 5g	20%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 54g
Vitamin C 22mg	109%
Calcium 145mg	11%
Iron 6mg	34%
Potassium 2291mg	49%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

Potato
fish and chips
dinner
british

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14 Easy Steps to Delicious British Fish and Chips (2024)

FAQs

What kind of fish do the British use for fish and chips? ›

In Britain and Ireland, cod and haddock appear most commonly as the fish used for fish and chips, but vendors also sell many other kinds of fish, especially other white fish, such as pollock, hake or coley, plaice, skate, ray, and huss or rock salmon (a term covering several species of dogfish and similar fish).

View Details ›

What sauce do British eat with fish and chips? ›

Tartare Sauce

The UK's recipe is based on mayonnaise or aioli then mixed with capers, gherkins, lemon juice, and dill, which differs from the French's as their's is made with mayonnaise, shallots and chives.

See Details ›

What do the Brits eat with their fish and chips? ›

And, traditionally, fish and chips were accompanied by salt and malt vinegar, but younger generations have turned to curry sauce and, heaven forbid, even ketchup. This is how fish and chips are eaten around the world: In Australia they like tartar sauce. In England it's customary to use malt vinegar.

See Details ›

What do British people drink with fish and chips? ›

The perfect drinks for a fish and chip supper

English wine,
Sparkling wine,
Fish.

Feb 3, 2023

Read On ›

What do the British call fish and chips? ›

And other times, you might want to specify which fish you want, so you might ask for 'cod and chips', 'plaice and chips', 'rock and chips' etc. But seriously. It's an English dish. And we call it 'fish and chips'.

Keep Reading ›

What do British people dip their chips in? ›

On French fries, usually ketchup, sometimes mayonnaise, quite often salt and vinegar. On chip shop chips, salt and vinegar and nothing else. My wife likes gravy on hers, but mixed marriages can be great if you're prepared to work at them.

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What is the most famous British sauce? ›

Worcester Sauce. ...
Marmite. ...
Mint Sauce. ...
Ketchup. ...
Brown Sauce. ...
Piccalilli. ...
English Mustard. ...
Branston Pickle.

More items...

Dec 16, 2019

Tell Me More ›

Do Brits use tartar sauce for fish and chips? ›

Whereas fish and chips are usually only accompanied by salt and vinegar (Malt vinegar please!) when eaten out of newspaper, when eaten in a Fish and Chip Cafe or Restaurant, you are always served this tartar sauce with your meal, tangy and wonderful with the fish especially and a squeeze of lemon.

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What sauce is best with fish and chips? ›

No fish and chip supper would be complete without some ketchup. This tomato sauce has a richer and earthier flavour making it the perfect accompaniment to your fish. Make it: Put some Grower's Selection Cooked Beetroot in a bowl and mash with a fork.

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What are some fun facts about fish and chips UK? ›

some interesting facts about fish and chips

That's six servings for every man, woman and child. £1.2 billion on fish and chips in the UK. 22% of people visit fish and chip shops every week. 22% of people visit fish and chip shop every week.

Keep Reading ›

What is the brown sauce on fish and chips? ›

Brown sauce is typically eaten with meals such as meat pies, full breakfasts, bacon sandwiches and chips. A combination of malt vinegar (or water) and brown sauce known simply as sauce or chippy sauce is popular on fish and chips in Edinburgh.

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What is the best fish for fish and chips UK? ›

Cod is by far the most popular type of fish used in the fish and chips combo in Britain, with more than 60% of all dishes sold through the country. Cod is mostly found in the chippies in the south of England where it reigns supreme!

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Do British fish and chips use haddock or cod? ›

Haddock is the fish that most chefs prefer for fish and chips. The texture isn't as flaky or tender as cod but the meat has more flavor. Haddock has a slight sweetness that pairs well with the buttery flavor of the batter.

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What kind of fish is in fish and chips in London? ›

The most popular fish used for fish and chips is cod, and it's our favorite too.

Learn More ›

What is usually in British style fish and chips? ›

Tartar sauce and mushy peas are the most common accompaniments, along with ketchup and vinegar. Beer can also be used in the batter. Over a quarter of all Fish and Chips meals in Britain are made with fish from Norway, primarily cod or haddock.

Get More Info Here ›