Fishing is not only relaxing but it is rewarding too. Whilst there are some people who fish for fun and leisure, there are others who enjoy getting a meal out of their catch.
When it comes to catching a flounder, you want to make sure that you are preparing it correctly for the whole family to enjoy, so that is why we have produced this helpful guide to fileting a flounder.
Way to Clean Flounder
Before even thinking about fileting a flounder, you must first clean it.
Cleaning your flounder is an important step, just like with cooking any other meat, so it is important to know how to do this effectively for a great tasting flounder.
Step 1 – Remove the Flounder’s Scales
The first step to cleaning your flounder is the removal of its scales. Find a wooden chopping board or a clean hard surface and lay your flounder flat on its side.
You should notice that the flounder is layered with some clear slime – this needs to be removed, and this is done through removing the scales.
Step 2 – Scrape From Tail To Head
Make sure that your flounder is firmly on the surface. To ensure this, hold your fish by its tail to keep secure.
You next need to grab a strong, good quality knife. Place the blunt side of the knife on the flounder’s body (towards the tail of the flounder) and slowly drag the knife upwards towards the head.
By doing this, you will be gently removing the clear slime and scales. Continue to repeat this several times until you are satisfied that all has been removed.
Step 3 – Flip and Scrape
It is now time to flip your flounder around.
Once it has been flipped, mimic the scraping actions you were doing prior, taking the blunt end of the knife and removing all of the slime and scales from its tail and up towards its head.
Step 4 – Rinse
Finally, once all of the scales and slime have been removed, take your fish and run it under cold sink water to finish.
Use your hands to massage the flounder’s skin, making sure to wipe away any excess scales and slime and ensuring that it has been completely cleaned.
How to Clean Flounder?
Now you have cleaned your flounder, you can then proceed to fileting. Fileting a flounder can be quite challenging and messy, but so long as you follow these steps below you will master the cut as soon as you know it.
Step 1 – Cut From Top To Bottom
The first step to fileting a flounder is to cut a vertical line on the fish from behind the top of its head to the bottom of its body.
Make sure that the knife you use for this is good and sharp. When you cut, you should be able to reach the bones of the fish but do not cut through them. Repeat this on the opposite side of the flounder.
Step 2 – Score Horizontally
You next need to find the flounder’s backbone (you will find this runs from the gills to the tail). Once this has been found, gently cut along this line from the center of its gills to its tail.
Again, watch out for cutting through the bone itself.
Step 3 – Slice Along Its Ribs
This next step takes a steady hand. Carefully insert the tip of your knife under the flounder’s skin and slice the fish along its ribs from the center of the spine to its ribs.
Continue this cut until you are able to separate the filet from the backbone. Leave the flesh attached to the carcass.
Step 4 – Cut and Peel
A good rule of thumb is to peel the cut filets upwards as you move. Hold this part of the fish whilst you cut and separate it from the bone.
Step 5 – Remove The Filets
Finally, remove the cut filet from the fins, cutting along the outer layer of the carcass to achieve this. Like before, turn over your flounder and repeat the fileting process on the other side.
Step 6 – Final Rinse
Now that your flounders have been fileted, you should then proceed to wash them. Do this by running some cool water from the sink’s faucet and running this water over the flounder.
After this has been done, feel free to cook and enjoy.
Should You Try Flounder?
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Flounder is a great fish to try for its unique yet flavorsome taste. It is a mild fish with a slight sweet taste which enhances its appeal.
But, with this being said, flounder can be a difficult dish to prepare and cook for a beginner. Despite this, flounder is still a food which should be adored by all. It will definitely leave you wanting more!
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have run through how to properly filet a flounder, including the steps it takes to descale and clean a flounder too.
When it comes to fileting a flounder, it can be challenging as it takes a lot of patience and careful movements.
For someone new to fileting this fish, it can be daunting and you may not receive the results that you would have hoped for, however it simply takes practice.
Do not feel bad if this is your first try and it doesn’t go to plan as this is something which everyone experiences.
To filet a flounder, all you will need is a steady surface (this can be a clean kitchen countertop or a chopping board) and a sharp knife.
You do not have to worry about going out of your way for any extras. After this, it is all about how you slice your fish.
Above, we have gone step by step on how to do this, highlighting the specific angles required and technique to help you on your way.
After this is done, you will come out with a great looking flounder filet just in time for you and your family to indulge in.
