4 Best Fish Spatulas, Tested and Reviewed
We flipped fish, burgers and pancakes to determine the best fish spatulas.
Joelle Battista
Our Top Fish Spatula Picks
- Best Overall: Misen Fish Spatula
- Best Large Spatula: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner
- Best for Nonstick Pans: GreenPan Silicone Fish Turner
- Best Splurge: Wusthof Gourmet 6.5" Offset Slotted Spatula
Tested by Joelle Battista for Food Network Kitchen
If there’s one prevalent misconception about fish spatulas, it’s that they’re only useful for flipping fish. On the contrary, fish spatulas are one of the most versatile utensils in the culinary toolbelt. With their unique angled design and purposeful slotted construction for grease drainage, fish spatulas prove to be indispensable tools capable of much more than their name implies.
Crafted with thoughtful design and expert engineering, the best fish spatulas embody a blend of flexibility, precision and durability. Their slender, slotted heads glide smoothly under delicate fish and pancakes and even stand up to hearty burgers, ensuring a seamless transition from pan to plate. With their ergonomic handles and heat-resistant materials, these spatulas offer comfort and control, making every flip and turn a breeze.
Taking material, shape, size and price into account, we carefully tested and selected the top-rated fish spatulas on the market in each category to find the best fish turners on the market. Whether you are a seasoned chef in search of unparalleled quality or a home cook seeking outstanding value, we have found the perfect fish spatula for you.
This stainless steel spatula with a silicone-coated edge earned the number one spot by being the perfect combination of value and versatility. As one of the least expensive options on our list, we were shocked by this spatula’s ability to flip delicate fish filets, handle thick burger patties and turn pancakes with ease. We loved the size and shape of this spatula; its compact, yet flexible, design made maneuvering underneath and between food in tight spaces a breeze. The silicone edge makes it safe for use in nonstick pans but doesn’t impact its ability to get under stuck-on food. Did we mention that it’s also dishwasher safe? Overall, this Misen Fish Spatula is a top-performing, inexpensive tool that is sure to become your go-to utensil for cooking fish, eggs, burgers and more.
If you’re in search of a tool that can easily flip whole fish or multiple burger patties at once, this OXO spatula is the clear choice. With a large, slotted stainless steel head and beveled edge, this spatula is just the tool to grab when cooking a whole branzino or even a large quesadilla. Don’t let its size fool you: This spatula’s flexibility and angled edge make it easy to get into small spaces between food. With a rubberized handle true to its name, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner is comfortable to use for tasks big and small.
Nonstick pans are great for cooking many things including fish, eggs, and pancakes, so it’s important to have a spatula that’s guaranteed not to damage the delicate nonstick surface. The GreenPan Silicone Fish Turner is the perfect accompaniment to nonstick cooking, comprising an entirely silicone-coated surface. While this spatula was gentle on the pans, it still had the strength and durability for some of the toughest tasks. The beveled edge and flexibility of the spatula’s head helped it easily slip under fragile fish filets, but its strong construction kept it from bowing under the weight of heavy burger patties. If a nonstick pan is your go-to, this GreenPan spatula is the way to go.
This this Wusthof spatula was the perfect size for expert maneuverability and precision. The wide slots in the head allowed the grease in both the fish and burger tests to drain quickly back into the pan, and the gradual curve at the end of the head of the spatula seamlessly slid underneath pancakes. While we wouldn’t recommend using this all-stainless steel spatula in your nonstick pan, it’s great for use with stainless steel, cast iron and carbon steel pans. At the highest price in the group, this spatula is certainly a little pricey, but comes with a limited lifetime warranty. If you’re looking to splurge on an excellent-quality, highly durable spatula, the Wusthof Gourmet Offset Slotted Spatula is an ideal choice.
Joelle Battista
How We Tested
First, each spatula in our test was measured and researched; we documented details like the materials, cleaning instructions, warranty (if any) and our initial thoughts on the ergonomics of each design before heading into the kitchen. Each spatula was then used to cook two fish filets and two burgers in a cast iron pan before we put it to use flipping pancakes in a nonstick pan. We noticed things like how easy each spatula was to use in tight spaces, how well it held the weight of the fish filets and burgers and if it damaged the surface of the nonstick pan. We cleaned each spatula by hand between tests and noted if there was any remaining food residue. All facets of testing were taken into consideration when selecting our winners.
Joelle Battista
Things To Consider Before Buying a Fish Spatula
- Fish-focused or taskmaster: Are you a fish aficionado or are you looking for an everyday utensil to help with a variety of tasks? The type of cooking you’d like to do with your spatula will help you narrow down whether a large or small spatula is the best tool to add to your collection. All of our top picks can stand up to the weight of hefty burgers in addition to delicate fish and pancakes.
- Material to match your cookware: If you mainly cook in nonstick pans, then a silicone-edged or silicone-coated spatula is the best option for you to avoid damaging your pans. If you cook more with cast iron or stainless steel cookware, then you have the option to go with a stainless steel spatula as well.
- Maintenance and clean up: Any spatula with a wood handle will likely not be dishwasher safe. If being able to toss your dirty spatula into the dishwasher and have it come out sparkly clean is important to you, keep that in mind when selecting your new spatula.
