Fresh • Tangy • Light • Bursting with Thai Flavor
This Thai-style steamed fish is bright, aromatic, and incredibly healthy. Steaming keeps the fish tender and juicy, while the bold lime-garlic sauce delivers the perfect balance of sour, salty, sweet, and savory—a classic Thai flavor profile. It’s quick, elegant, and perfect for both weeknight meals and special occasions.
🕒 Time & Yield
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cooking Time: 10–12 minutes
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Total Time: ~22 minutes
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Servings: 4
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Calories: ~210 kcal per serving
📝 Ingredients
Fish
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4 fillets white fish (cod, tilapia, sea bass, or snapper)
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Salt, to taste
Thai Lime-Garlic Sauce
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Juice of 2 fresh limes
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Zest of 1 lime
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4 cloves garlic, finely minced
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2 tbsp fish sauce
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp sugar (or palm sugar)
Optional Garnishes (Highly Recommended 🌿)
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Fresh cilantro, chopped
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Sliced red chili or chili flakes
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Spring onions, finely sliced
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Sesame oil (a few drops)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Fish
Rinse fish fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Lightly season both sides with a pinch of salt.
Arrange the fillets on a heatproof plate or shallow dish that fits inside a steamer.
2️⃣ Make the Lime-Garlic Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
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Lime juice
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Lime zest
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Minced garlic
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Fish sauce
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Soy sauce
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Sugar
Mix until sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust—add more lime for tang, sugar for sweetness, or fish sauce for depth.
3️⃣ Steam the Fish
Bring water to a gentle boil in a steamer.
Place the plate with fish inside, cover, and steam for 8–10 minutes, depending on thickness, until:
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Fish turns opaque
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Flakes easily with a fork
4️⃣ Sauce & Finish
Carefully remove the fish from the steamer.
Spoon the lime-garlic sauce generously over the hot fish, allowing it to seep into the flesh.
Optional: Return to the steamer for 1–2 minutes to slightly warm the sauce.
5️⃣ Garnish & Serve
Top with:
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Fresh cilantro
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Red chili slices
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Spring onions
Serve immediately while hot and fragrant 😋
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Perfect with:
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Steamed jasmine rice
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Coconut rice
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Stir-fried vegetables
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Thai papaya salad
🌟 Chef’s Tips & Variations
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Add 1 tbsp chili paste or fresh Thai chili for heat 🌶️
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Use palm sugar for authentic Thai sweetness
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Replace soy sauce with light soy for milder saltiness
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Finish with a few drops of sesame oil for aroma
🧊 Storage
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Best enjoyed fresh
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Refrigerate leftovers up to 24 hours
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Gently reheat by steaming to avoid drying out
