What Is the Right Internal Temperature of Cooked Fish?

When a person is cooking, they need to remember not just the recipe but also safety tips.

This includes making sure that the meat is cooked thoroughly. Eating it undercooked puts you at risk of illness, which is the last thing anyone wants to get.

You can keep an eye on this by using a meat thermometer. One food people may check the internal temperature of is cooked fish.

In this article, we will go into what the internal temperature of a cooked fish is, how to check it, the risks of eating undercooked meat, and finally, how to cook it safely.

Contents

What Is a Cooked Fish Internal Temperature?
How Do You Check a Cooked Fish Temperature?
What Happens if You Eat Undercooked Fish?
Ways to Safely Cook Fish
Final Thoughts

What Is a Cooked Fish Internal Temperature?

The internal temperature of fish depends on what you are cooking. There is a general numbers, but they can vary from fish to fish, which is something you should be aware of.

The general internal temperature of fish is 120 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are cooking some type of Fahrenheit, the general degree is 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fatty fish can be cooked to an internal temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wild Salmon is usually cooked to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, while farmed salmon is cooked to 125.
FDA recommends the fish be cooked to 145, which is considered well done.

These are the general rules for cooking fish. Now, there are a lot of different types of fish out there so it makes sense that there would be a range of temperatures to go by.

Not all fish are created equal. They are different and can’t all be cooked and/or prepared the same.

In the next section, you’ll learn how to check the temperature of a cooked fish.

How Do You Check a Cooked Fish Temperature?

The actual temperature reading will be different depending on the fish you have cooked, but the process of finding it out is still the same.

First, take out the fish and let it rest for three minutes. The resting time lets you get an accurate number.
After that time frame has passed, reach for the food thermometer, and put it into the thickest center of the fish.
Now all you have to do is wash off the thermometer!

Yes, believe it or not, checking the internal temperature of a fish is truly as simple as that.

What Happens if You Eat Undercooked Fish?

If you are eating undercooked fish outside of the fish in sushi, it can be very dangerous for your health. The risks of eating undercooked fish include:

Salmonella is a well-known illness that can come from eating undercooked meat, fish, etc. Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, nausea/vomiting, and cramps. Most of the time, it isn’t serious and goes away on its own within four to seven days. However, in rare cases, people may need antibiotic treatment for it.
Vibrio Vulnificus, in some cases, is a serious illness that comes from eating undercooked fish. Symptoms include cramps, fever, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Now should you have a mild case of this bacteria, then you’ll be fine in a few days. However, in some cases, it can be fatal or require intensive care/limb amputation. This is why it’s important to thoroughly cook fish.
Parasites, in general, are something that lurks inside fish. These include worms that will find their way into your intestine and wreak havoc. Common symptoms include pain, vomiting, and nausea. Most times, this won’t lead to serious symptoms, but it can. These include bleeding in your GI system, bowel obstruction, and even an allergic reaction in some people.

Thankfully, by completely cooking your fish through and checking the temperature, you will be able to avoid all these illnesses.

Sure, you can’t prevent them 100%, but it’s a much lower risk than if you were to eat it raw.

Ways to Safely Cook Fish

In this section, we picked some of the popular ways to cook fish. This isn’t to say you have to use any of these, but it will give you a place to start.

To cook your fish in the oven, all you need to do is preheat the oven to 350, 400, etc. It depends on the type of fish you are cooking, but after the oven is heated, you put the fish on a baking sheet and then bake it for 15 to 20 minutes. Again, it could take longer or shorter, depending on the fish you are cooking.
Cooking fish on the stovetop is very possible to do. Preheat a pan over medium heat with some oil or butter in the pan. Cook the fish until it’s lightly browned on both sides. Then you can season it how you like and get to eating!
If you happen to own a grill, then you should take advantage of it. All you have to do is heat the grill according to the directions of whatever brand you own. Once hot, put the fish on there and start grilling! It does depend on what kind of fish you have because not all fish can be grilled, so keep that in mind if you do want to go with this option.

Here we have the best ways to cook fish. Out of all the options, the oven and stovetop are going to work best for people because they are so easily accessible when compared to the grill option.

Final Thoughts

And there you go, all you cooked fish lovers out there! Now you know exactly what the internal temperature of a cooked fish is, how to check for it, the risks of eating undercooked cooked fish, and finally, ways to cook it properly.

It’s very important to get used to using a meat thermometer. The reason for this is that it cannot only help you tell when the meat is done but also keep yourself safe and away from all those pesky illnesses.

So, next time you get the chance, consider purchasing a meat thermometer. We promise you that you won’t regret it!

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William Thomas

I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.