Delicious and Tender Braised Snakehead Fish Recipes That Will Make You Want More

Braised dishes are always a staple in Vietnamese households, and braised snakehead fish is no exception. Cooking braised snakehead fish is incredibly simple with various options such as braising with tomato sauce, black pepper, pineapple, etc., all of which are exceptionally tasty. Join Team PasGo to discover 5 easy ways to make delicious braised snakehead fish at home.

Braised Snakehead Fish with Black Pepper

Among the braised snakehead fish dishes, braised snakehead fish with black pepper is the simplest and quickest to prepare, making it perfect for busy individuals.

Ingredients for Braised Snakehead Fish with Black Pepper

• Snakehead fish: 500 grams
  
• Chopped dried shallots, spring onions, cilantro, fresh chili, garlic
  
• Seasonings: black pepper, sugar, seasoning powder, cooking oil, fish sauce
  

Instructions for Making Braised Snakehead Fish with Black Pepper

• Scale and clean the fish, remove the scales, gut, rinse with salt to remove the fishy smell, then rinse with clean water, cut in half, and drain. Marinate the fish with black pepper.
  
• Heat some cooking oil in a pot, sauté the chopped shallots, garlic, and minced chili until fragrant.
  
• Add water to cover the fish, season with seasoning powder, black pepper, sugar, tomato paste, fish sauce, chili sauce.
  
• When the fish is tender and the sauce is almost reduced, add chopped spring onions, cilantro, and more black pepper, stir for a few rounds then turn off the heat.
  

Finished Product of Braised Snakehead Fish with Black Pepper

Braised snakehead fish with black pepper is made with a simple braising method but yields incredibly high-quality results. The fish is rich and fatty, with a subtle spicy taste from the pepper, and a visually appealing golden color. This dish is definitely a daily delicacy that will leave everyone in the family craving for more. 

Braised Snakehead Fish with Tomato Sauce

If you're wondering what goes well with braised snakehead fish, braised snakehead fish with tomato sauce is a great choice. The fish is fragrant, tender, juicy, not dry, with a bold spicy flavor from the chili, tangy taste from the tomato, and savory touch from the fish sauce. It pairs perfectly with rice and is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients for Braised Snakehead Fish with Tomato Sauce

• Snakehead fish: 500 grams
  
• Ripe tomatoes: 500 grams
  
• Chopped dried shallots, ginger, spring onions, chili, cilantro.
  
• Seasonings: sugar, fish sauce, salt, cooking oil, seasoning powder
  

Instructions for Making Delicious Braised Snakehead Fish with Tomato Sauce

• Clean the snakehead fish, remove the intestines, rinse, drain, cut into bite-sized pieces, and lightly fry.
  
• Clean the tomatoes, remove the cores, and chop finely. 
  
• Chop the dried shallots, spring onions, and chili finely. Cut a portion of ginger into strips, and crush the rest. 
  

Instructions for Cooking Delicious Braised Snakehead Fish with Tomato Sauce

Sauté the dried shallots in 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Then, add the tomatoes along with 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1/3 tablespoon of sugar, and cook until soft.

Once the tomatoes are cooked, add the fried fish from earlier along with crushed ginger and chili.

Add boiling water to the pot until the fish is submerged and simmer over low heat. When the fish is tender, add spring onions, cilantro, sprinkle with some ground pepper, gently stir, and turn off the heat. Your braised snakehead fish with tomato sauce is ready to serve.

Finished Product of Braised Snakehead Fish with Tomato Sauce

Braised snakehead fish with tomato sauce, when finished, will have a very attractive color, with the fish meat being both firm and tender along with the rich tomato sauce. This type of braised snakehead fish with tomato sauce will leave your rice pot completely empty, no matter how big it is.

The combination of bamboo shoots with any dish always adds a special touch, and braised snakehead fish with bamboo shoots is no exception.

Ingredients for Braised Snakehead Fish with Bamboo Shoots

• Fresh snakehead fish: 500g
  
• Bamboo shoots
  
• Ginger, fresh chili, dried shallots, garlic
  
• Fish sauce, sugar, chicken broth powder, ground pepper
  

Method for Making Sour Braised Snakehead Fish with Bamboo Shoots

• Clean the snakehead fish, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and lightly fry both sides.
  
• Cut the bamboo shoots into pieces or strips, wash them thoroughly, blanch them in boiling water, and then drain.
  
• Peel and finely chop the shallots, and crush the ginger.
  

• Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a pot, then add sugar and cook until it melts. Once the sugar turns golden, add the chopped shallots and crushed ginger, and stir well.
  
• Add the fish and bamboo shoots to the pot, along with a little fish sauce, salt, sugar, MSG, fresh chili, and cover. Cook over low heat until most of the liquid evaporates and the fish is tender, then turn off the heat.
  

Finished Sour Braised Snakehead Fish with Bamboo Shoots

The snakehead fish meat is tender and flavorful, infused with the spices. The bamboo shoots are crunchy, and the braising sauce is rich and delicious.

Check out the recipe for braised snakehead fish with bamboo shoots to add to your daily menu for the whole family to enjoy!

 4. Fragrant Braised Snakehead Fish

Have you ever tried the delicious fragrant braised snakehead fish dish?

Braised snakehead fish with pineapple is a delicious everyday dish made from braised fish that is sweet, savory, and tangy, making it irresistibly appealing. 

Ingredients for Fragrant Braised Snakehead Fish

• Snakehead fish: 500 grams
  
• Pineapple: 400 grams
  
• Fresh coconut water: 300 ml
  
• Dried shallots, minced garlic: 50 grams
  
• Ginger, spring onions, cilantro, fresh chili
  
• Required spices: Seasoning powder, fish sauce, salt, MSG, cooking oil, pepper.
  

Instructions for Fragrant Braised Snakehead Fish

• Clean the snakehead fish and cut it into bite-sized pieces, then lightly fry on both sides.
  
• Peel and slice the pineapple, clean it, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Peel and clean the ginger, then slice it.
  

• Bring a pot to the stove, add about 3 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar, let it simmer and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  
• Layer a bed of pineapple and ginger slices at the bottom of the pot, then place the fish on top. Finally, add another layer of pineapple on the top. Pour water until the fish is just submerged, season with spices to taste.
  
• Let the pot simmer until the snakehead fish is tender and the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat and add finely chopped spring onions and cilantro.
  

Finished Fragrant Braised Snakehead Fish

If you're unsure what to make with snakehead fish, give fragrant braised snakehead fish with pineapple a try. 

Fragrant braised snakehead fish not only brings delicious flavors from the juicy fish meat, but also the delightful aroma from the flavorful pineapple pieces that everyone in the family will love. 

5. Braised Snakehead Fish with Fermented Bamboo Shoots

In the realm of delicious braised snakehead fish recipes, one cannot overlook the beloved Braised Snakehead Fish with Fermented Bamboo Shoots. The tender fish meat, rich and flavorful sauce, devoid of any fishy taste, soaked in the luscious braising liquid, harmoniously salty and spicy. This everyday dish from braised fish is truly deserving of a spot on your family's menu!

Ingredients for Braised Snakehead Fish with Fermented Bamboo Shoots

• 1 kg snakehead fish (small size)
  
• 10 shallots
  
• 4 sprigs of spring onion
  
• 6 spicy chillies
  
• 1 tablespoon coconut color water
  
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  
• 5 tablespoons fish sauce
  
• 2 tablespoons sugar
  
• A pinch of salt
  

How to Cook Braised Snakehead Fish with Fermented Bamboo Shoots

• Wash the snakehead fish thoroughly, then cut it into bite-sized pieces and fry each side briefly.
  
• Peel and wash the shallots, then slice them thinly. Wash the chillies and let them drain.
  
• Trim the roots of the spring onion, wash them, and cut them into 1/2-inch sections.
  
• Heat a pan, sauté the shallots with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Then add 5 tablespoons of fish sauce, along with 50ml of water, 1 tablespoon of coconut color water, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until it boils, then turn off the heat.
  
• Add the fish to the pan and turn on the heat again over low heat to let the fish absorb the seasoning. Add the chillies and braise until the liquid thickens. Then add the spring onion bulbs, and when they are cooked, add the chopped spring onion leaves on top of the fish and turn off the heat.
  

Finished Dish: Braised Snakehead Fish with Fermented Bamboo Shoots

Braised snakehead fish with fermented bamboo shoots is savory, with a hint of sweetness and richness, combined with the spicy taste of chillies, creating an exquisite braised dish. The braising sauce pairs perfectly with boiled vegetables. This nutritious and delicious dish is loved by many as an everyday favorite.

Tips for Cooking Delicious, Fragrant, and Tender Braised Snakehead Fish

How to Prevent Snakehead Fish from Having a Fishy Taste?

• Soak the snakehead fish in a mixture of water, vinegar, and salt, then rinse it with water to remove the fishy odor.
  
• Additionally, marinate the fish for about 30 minutes. To eliminate all fishy odors, add ginger to the list of marinating spices.
  

By applying these 2 methods, your snakehead fish will undoubtedly be fragrant, delicious, and free from any fishy taste.

Tips for Cooking Delicious and Tender Braised Snakehead Fish

• When frying the fish, it's best to fry it lightly to prevent it from drying out.
  
• When preparing the fish, cut off the head and stuff it into the belly to prevent it from breaking apart during braising. This method ensures that the head becomes tender and infused with sweetness.
  

• It's advisable to use a thick-bottomed or cast iron pot for braising the fish as it retains heat well, allowing the fish to become tender quickly.
  
• During braising, keep an eye on it and occasionally open the lid to let the steam escape, avoiding spillage.
  

Recently, Team PasGo shared with you 5 ways to cook delicious and flavorful braised snakehead fish dishes, perfect for adding to your daily menu. Hopefully, through this article, you've learned how to braise snakehead fish to perfection, ensuring it remains tender, flavorful, and not fishy. Wishing you success in your culinary endeavors.