How to Cook Kipper

Kippers are cold-smoked herring fish, and they are traditionally served as a protein at breakfast in the UK. You can buy them fresh or frozen from most supermarkets, though in the US, you're more likely to find them in a can. Canned kippers don't require cooking, but fresh or frozen kippers do. You can poach them in a pan or use the more traditional method of poaching them in a jug. You can also grill or broil them in the oven, and sautéing is also a good option.

Ingredients

Poached Kippers

  • Kippers
  • Enough water to cover the kippers
  • Butter, optional

Jug-Poached Kippers

  • Kippers
  • Water to cover kippers
  • Butter, optional
  • Sprinkling of fresh, minced parsley, optional
  • Lemon wedge per fillet, optional
  • Dash of apple cider vinegar, optional

Kippers under the Broiler or Grill

  • 2-3 pats of butter
  • Kippers
  • Lemon wedges, optional
  • Parsley, optional
  • Cayenne pepper, optional

Sautéed Kippers

  • 2-3 pats of butter
  • Kippers
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Making Poached Kippers

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Place the pot over high heat, and bring the water to a boil. You can also do this step in a large frying pan if you prefer, which will heat the water faster. [1]
    • Poaching kippers creates the least amount of smell as opposed to other methods. Kippers can be fairly potent.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    The water doesn't need to stay boiling to cook the kippers. Take the pan off the heat and put the kippers in so you gently poach them instead of overcooking them. [2]
    • You can gently drop the kippers in with your hands or use tongs to lower them into the water.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Kippers cook pretty fast, and they're typically done in this amount of time. You can leave them for a bit longer if the kippers don't look done. They should flake apart easily. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Use a sieve or colander to drain the water off, but be gentle, as the kippers may break apart. You can also use a slotted spoon or tongs to gently pull them out of the water. [4]
    • Try serving them with scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. You can add a bit of butter on top of each fish for flavor.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat them within a couple of days. [5]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Jug-Poached Kippers

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    You can use any jug that can handle the heat of boiling water, such as a ceramic pitcher. You can even use a heat-proof glass measuring cup that holds 4 cups (950 mL) of water.
    • It's fine if the tails stick out of the water a little bit.
    • Poaching the kippers in a jug is a traditional cooking method.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Line the kippers up lengthwise in the jar from top to bottom. [6] They can go at angle if the jug is a bit short. You can also cut the heads and tails off before putting the fish in the jug if the jug is too short. [7]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Cover the fish up to the tails at least, though you don't need to cover the tails with water. Place a plate, lid, or piece of aluminum foil on top of the jug to hold the heat in. [8]
    • You can actually do this process at the table, as an impressive way to cook and serve kippers.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Kippers will cook fairly quickly. Check them after about 5 minutes to see if they're done. They should flake easily if they're done cooking. [9]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Pour off most of the water in the sink, and then gently remove the kippers from the jug. Set them on a warm plate to drain off the rest of their water. You can also gently drain them in a sieve over the sink.
    • If you're serving the kippers at the table, use a slotted spoon or large tongs to pull the kippers out of the water and drain them.
    • Serve them with a bit of butter on top of each fillet and a squeeze of lemon. You can also use fresh parsley or a dash of apple cider vinegar.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Cooking Kippers under the Broiler or Grill

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    The oven needs to be hot before you stick the pan in, so set it to "broil." Line a baking sheet with foil, so that it won't absorb the fishiness of the kippers. [10]
    • In British cooking, "grilling" refers to cooking under the heating element in the oven, known as the grill. In the United States, this type of cooking is called "broiling."
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Using 2-3 pats per kipper, heat the butter over medium heat until it's turning golden brown. [11] Spread some on the baking tray to keep the kippers from sticking. [12]
    • You can heat the butter in the microwave, though you won't get the browned butter flavor.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    If your fillets have skin, put the skin facing upwards. If they don't have skin still, that's fine, too. Brush melted butter on the skin or the top side of the fish using a basting brush. [13]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    The skin should cook for about a minute while facing up, but then you need to flip the fish so the flesh is facing upward. [14]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Take the pan out, and turn the fish over with a spatula. Brush the top of the fish with melted butter using a basting brush, then put the pan back in the oven. [15]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    About every 1-2 minutes, pull the pan out and add a little more butter to the top of the fish. This helps fully incorporate the butter flavor into the kippers. Cook the fish on this side for 4-6 minutes. [16]
    • However, if you don't want to use that much butter, just stick to basting the kippers once on each side.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Plate the fish on a warm platter. For seasoning, you can squeeze lemon over the fish or add a dash of fresh cayenne pepper or a sprinkling of fresh minced parsley. [17]
    • You can also serve them with more browned butter. Have a grainy toasted bread on the side to accompany the fish. [18]
    8. Advertisement


Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Making Sautéed Kippers

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Set the pan on the stove, and turn the heat to low. Add 2-3 pats of butter. Once it's melted, you should have enough butter to cover the bottom of the pan. [19]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Once the butter is melted, gently place the kippers in the pan. Cook them for about 3 minutes per side, or a little longer if they're not quite done after that time. [20]
    • You can use skinless or kippers with the skin still on for this recipe, depending on your preference.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Kipper
    Once the fish is flaky and opaque, take the pan off the heat. You can serve these with scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. [21]
    • Serve with lemon or lime wedges to squeeze over the top.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Are kippers healthy?
    Community Answer
    Kippers are generally good for you - they are excellent sources of Omega-3, B- and D-vitamins, niacin, riboflavin, and various minerals including selenium (which can be hard to consume otherwise). However, kippers are also high in sodium, so consume them in moderation.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 12
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      Poaching Kippers

      • Pot
      • Tongs, optional
      • Plate
      • Sieve/colander

      Poaching Kippers in a Jug

      • Jug
      • Tongs or slotted spoon, optional
      • Sieve/colander, optional
      • Plate

      Broiling or Grilling Kippers

      • Baking pan
      • Foil
      • Sauce pan
      • Spatula
      • Basting brush
      • Plate

      Sautéing Kippers

      • Pan
      • Spatula
      • Plate

      You Might Also Like

      Is Your Fish Good to Eat? Signs of Spoilage & Storage Tips
      How to
      Cook Smoked Haddock
      How to
      Eat Mussels
      How to
      Clean/Gut a Fish
      How to
      Eat Sea Urchins
      The Best Methods to Cook Frozen Sea or Bay Scallops
      The Best Way to Peel and Eat Boiled Crawfish
      Easy Ways to Store Mussels in the Refrigerator & Freezer
      How to
      Cook Fish Roe
      How to
      Poach Fish in Milk
      3 Delicious Ways to Cook Wahoo (Ono)
      How to
      Boil Fish
      How to
      Debone a Trout
      How to
      Eat Canned Sardines
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/kipper
      2. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/kipper
      3. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/kipper
      4. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/kipper
      5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-long-does-fresh-fish-stay-good-tips-from-the-kitchn-219413
      6. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/kipper
      7. ↑ https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/clarissa-dickson-wright-and-jennifer-paterson/jugged-kippers-1926728
      8. ↑ https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/clarissa-dickson-wright-and-jennifer-paterson/jugged-kippers-1926728
      9. ↑ https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/clarissa-dickson-wright-and-jennifer-paterson/jugged-kippers-1926728
      1. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      2. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/grilled-kipper-recipe
      3. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      4. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      5. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      6. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      7. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/grilled-kipper-recipe
      8. ↑ https://www.deliaonline.com/ingredient/kippers
      9. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/grilled-kipper-recipe
      10. ↑ http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/smoked-kippers-with-scrambled-eggs-324233?ftab=reviews
      11. ↑ http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/smoked-kippers-with-scrambled-eggs-324233?ftab=reviews
      12. ↑ http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/smoked-kippers-with-scrambled-eggs-324233?ftab=reviews

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can poach your kippers, grill them, or sauté them in a pan. To poach them, bring a pot of water to boil on the stove. Then, remove it from the heat and leave the fish in the water for 5 minutes, before draining the water. If you want to grill them, place your kippers on a baking tray and brush them with melted butter. Cook them in the oven for 1 minute at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. After 1 minute, take the fish out, flip them, and brush the other side with butter. Keep flipping them every 1-2 minutes and brushing them with butter each time for 4-6 minutes. Alternatively, sauté the kippers in a skillet with butter for 2-3 minutes each side. For more tips, including how to serve your cooked kippers, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 174,321 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement