How to Know When Your Seafood is Cooked?

Cooking seafood perfectly can be tricky. You don't want to undercook it, but you also don't want to overcook it and dry it out. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to tell when your seafood is cooked through.

The Importance of Fish Temperature

Fish temperature is the most accurate indicator of doneness, especially for larger cuts. An instant-read thermometer is your essential tool for achieving perfectly cooked seafood. The FDA recommends a safe internal temperature of 145°F for all finfish and shellfish.Here are some safe internal temperatures for specific types of seafood:

• Finfish: 145°F
• Shrimp, lobster, scallops: 145°F
• Clams, mussels, oysters: Until shells open

Visual and Sensory Cues

If you don't have a thermometer, there are other ways to tell if your seafood is cooked. Here are a few things to look for:

• Opacity: The flesh of the seafood should be opaque throughout. Translucent flesh is a sign that the seafood is not cooked through.
• Flaking: The flesh should flake easily with a fork. If it is tough and rubbery, it needs to cook longer.
• Color: The flesh of the seafood should be opaque and white or slightly golden brown. Avoid gray or translucent flesh.
• Smell: Cooked seafood should not have a strong fishy smell.

The Butter Knife Test

For thicker cuts of fish, you can also use the butter knife test. Insert a butter knife into the thickest part of the fish. If the knife flakes through easily and the flesh is opaque, the fish is cooked through.

General Cooking Rule

As a general rule, you can cook fish for 10 minutes per inch of thickness. However, this is just a guideline, and it is always best to check the internal temperature or use other visual and sensory cues to make sure the fish is cooked through!

By following these tips, you can be sure to cook your seafood perfectly every time.

Additional Tips

• Freshwater fish and fish from lakes should be cooked to a higher temperature (160°F) to kill parasites.
• Freezing fish can kill bacteria, but it will not cook the fish.