Fish Can Be So Easy to Cook — and Here Are 5 Recipes to Prove It

If given the choice, I'd always choose to cook fish over steak at home. For one thing, it's a lot easier to light a scented candle or activate an air freshener to get the "fishy smell" out of my house than it is for me to reach the fire alarm in my kitchen. Plus, fish is super-fast to make and is perfect for a Thursday date night dinner when I want something a little nicer.

Bottom line: Don't shy away from fish. Seriously. Salmon can stand up to flavorful sauces like chimichurri and it's pretty forgiving to cook. And white fish like halibut, while perfect for fish tacos, is also great simply poached with some veggies on the side. No matter what your experience level, there's a fish dish for you. The Food Network Kitchen app offers tons of classes around how to cook fish from pan-seared salmon to a whole-roasted Branzino, and here are five simple ones to get you started.

Psst! Before you dive in, we recommend you get yourself a fish spatula. You can thank us later.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Kale and Apple Salad (pictured above)

Salmon is a great fish to start with. You'll notice as salmon cooks the flesh will become more opaque. When the opaque color hits the center of the filet, instructor Dana Benanati says, that's when you know it's time to flip. This recipe is a great one to start with because the kale salad can be prepared before you make the salmon, so all you have to do is cook your fish and dish up dinner.

Broiled Arctic Char with Marinated Cucumber and Radish Salad

Still not convinced cooking fish is easy? This recipe calls for the arctic char filets to be seasoned and cooked under a broiler for up to five minutes. That's it! The most time-consuming part of this recipe is making the salad beforehand, so you'll definitely be able to handle this.

Thai-Style Halibut with Coconut Curry Broth

If you love fish curry and are missing your local takeout spot, this is a way to bring those flavors into your home kitchen. You'll make a curry sauce of curry paste, coconut milk and chicken broth and bring that to a simmer before placing your halibut filets in the sauce to poach. The result is flavorful fish that's not the least bit dry.

Fish Almondine

Ree Drummond recreates this classic cafeteria dish in her own home — and makes it so easy. Cod filets are coated with mayo before getting a crispy layer of sliced almonds and panko. They're then roasted in the oven to crisp up before serving. This recipe couldn't be easier and we think it's one the whole family will love.

Instant Pot Salmon with Potatoes and Greens

Thought your Instant Pot was just for meat? Think again. You can cook salmon in an Instant Pot in, well, an instant. For this recipe, you'll add your salmon to the pot along with the potatoes to pressure-cook for just three minutes. Once you release the pressure and remove the lid, the salmon is done and all that's left is finishing off the sides.