Growing up as a pescatarian I only wish I had eaten king fish every day. King fish is such a beautiful tasting firm fish that teams well with a few spices and a tasty fresh lemon Gremolata. Eaten raw, cured, baked or fried king fish is popular in many cuisines.
Mad Creations King Fish on a black plate

Salt and Pepper Fish

Following a ketogenic diet I think makes for easier meal prep times.

Seeing we are using more unprocessed foods and keeping our diet low carb, throwing a few ingredients together in easy keto meals is the best way to eat.

Making this dish is so easy and quick. Just follow the basic steps below and your meal will be done in minutes. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy – this recipe takes hardly any time to make, so you can make crispy gluten free fried fish fillets in minutes.

Keeps for a few days – make it ahead and serve cold in salads or low carb lunches.

Variations – make Whole30 mayonnaisepaleo, and keto-friendly fish with just a few ingredients.

The Ingredients

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the quantity of ingredients used and the full detailed method to make salt and pepper fish.

Fish: I use kingfish. It is a meaty white fish that holds up well to frying or baking.

Whey Protein Isolate: I use this to help give a light crispy coating to the fish. You can use a non-bitter tasting aluminium free baking powder in its place (just use 1 tablespoon).

How to Make It

  1. Cut the fish into smallish pieces. Not too small as you want the fish to maintain moisture.
  2. Mix seasonings together and season the fish.
  3. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and fry seasoned king fish in batches for 2-3 minutes each side.
  4. Drain on paper towel and serve with favourite side and salad.

What to Serve with Fish

Personally, I am always happy to eat fish straight off the barbecue, pan or grill. I love it as it is plain and fresh, seasoned, fried, grilled, or in curries and fresh soups.

For this salt and pepper fish, I really wanted something a bit punchy so kind of ended up teaming it with a Lemon Gremolata. A gremolata is so easy to make and with great fresh ingredients.

Fish teams well with a light salad, a creamy dressing like homemade keto mayonnaise or keto ranch dressing.

Mad Creations Seasoned King Fish with bowl of lemon gremolata

More Recipes to Try

If you want more like this then try some of the below

  1. Keto Salmon Patties | Air fryer + Bake Steps 
  2. Lemon Chicken Piccata
  3. Oven Baked Salmon in Foil
  4. Tuna Casserole
  5. Easy Fish Tacos

RAVING NEW FAN? Subscribe to our newsletter. Join our keto community on FacebookInstagram or see all the new stuff on Pinterest.

Keto Meal Plans & Support
A bowl of lemon gremolata with salt and pepper seasoned fish.

Salt and Pepper Seasoned King Fish

Growing up as a pescatarian I only wish I had eaten king fish every day. King fish is such a beautiful tasting firm fish that teams well with a few spices and a tasty fresh lemon Gremolata. Eaten raw, cured, baked or fried king fish is popular in many cuisines.
5 from 5 votes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Lunch and Dinner
Cuisine: Australian Keto
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 229kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 2 serves
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
Print Pin Save Rate

Ingredients 

  • 450 g (16 oz) white fish fillets fillets skin off, pin-boned
  • 30 g (1 oz) whey protein isolate
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) sea salt flakes plus extra for seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) cayenne or chilli flakes
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) lemon pepper I use Goya brand
  • Olive oil for frying
  • Lemon wedges
  • Lemon Gremolata

Instructions

  • Chop fish fillets into large chunks.
  • Mix all dry seasoning ingredients together.
  • Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a frypan over medium-high heat.
  • Toss fish pieces in seasoning and transfer to frypan. Be careful to not over-crowd your pan and work in batches if need be.
  • Fry 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked through. Drain on paper towel.
  • Season fish well and serve with arugula salad, lemon and Lemon Gremolata.

Notes

I prefer to use Isopure Whey Protein Isolate.
Season fish only just before frying, do not do this ahead of time.
Salt and Pepper King Fish can be enjoyed as a hot or cold meal.

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 3606mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1.8mg | Net Carbs: 2g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

Megan Ellam is an Australian keto recipes blogger and author of amazing keto cookbooks such as Keto Mojo, Slow Cook KetoKeto LocoThe Healthy Family Keto Cookbook and Every Day Keto.

Megan has been following a ketogenic diet since being diagnosed with insulin resistance in early 2017.

Share This Recipe

10 responses to “Salt and Pepper Fish | Keto friendly”

  1. Gael Clark

    5 stars
    This is the best fish coating I’ve ever used. It is amazing. Does not come off the fish when you cook it. Use any fish and it’s brilliant. Thankyou Megan

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome Gael. So good to hear you enjoy it xx

  2. Rhondajane

    Hi, you can purchase farmed and wild caught barramundi. It’s a tropical species from northern Australia. Flesh is very soft. Hope this helps.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      That is awesome. Thanks for the recommendation.

  3. Suzette

    Thanks Megan! What is barramundi exactly? I’ve seen it but have never purchased it because I’m not sure if it’s a wild fish or farm-raised. Can you enlighten me please?

  4. Suzette

    Hi Megan,

    If I can’t find king fish, what would be a good substitute?

    1. Megan

      Any white fish Suzette, barramundi, snapper, mahi mahi, monk

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious and sooo yummy, this looks like such a tasty dish!

  6. Brewster

    Hi,
    is there a sub for whey powder?
    So you don’t need an egg to make the season stick?
    Cheers, Brewster.

    1. Megan

      Whey makes a carb free coating that is light and crisp, you can sub almond meal if you wish. You dont need egg at all to make whey stick

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating