Baked Honey Mustard Fish

This honey mustard fish recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal! The sauce is made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, so it’s simple and convenient. The fish is coated in a delicious honey mustard sauce that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Plus, this dish is healthy and low-carb, so you can feel good about eating it.

This honey mustard fish is marinated in a super yum sauce made with honey, mustard and lemon juice, enhanced with onion and garlic for the most savory fish recipe! Fish recipes can easily get bland and flavorless, unless you deep fry it. But with this delicious honey mustard fish recipe, frying is not the only method to make fish delicious!

My daughter is crazy for fish, but she doesn’t like complicated recipes, simple grilled fish works perfectly for her! I was afraid this baked fish marinated in honey mustard sauce will not be well received! Thankfully, I was wrong as it took about two minutes for my honey mustard fish to disappear from her plate! What a relief!

I did have to add extra lemon to this mustard fish because she found it a bit too sweet for her taste. But for me, it was perfection! I enjoyed every bit of this amazing honey fish and I can’t wait to make it again for my husband, who’s also a big fan of this recipe.

How to make Honey Mustard Fish

Ingredients needed

• Lemon juice: The tangy and refreshing flavor of lemon juice pairs perfectly with the sweetness of honey and the sharpness of Dijon mustard. It also helps to tenderize the fish, making it even more succulent.
• Olive oil: A good quality olive oil adds richness and depth to the marinade, helping all the flavors come together.
• Honey: The star ingredient in this recipe, honey adds the perfect balance of sweetness to the tangy and savory flavors.
• Dijon mustard with seeds: Using a good quality Dijon mustard with whole seeds adds texture and depth to the marinade, making it more flavorful.
• Garlic cloves minced: Garlic is a must-have in any savory dish, adding a pungent and aromatic flavor to the marinade.
• Lemon zest: The zest from one lemon adds a burst of citrusy flavor to the marinade, enhancing the tanginess of the lemon juice.
• Dry thyme and mint: These herbs add an earthy and fresh flavor to the marinade, complementing the other ingredients perfectly.
• Ground black pepper and salt: These common seasonings help to balance out the flavors in the marinade, bringing everything together.
• Large walleye fillet: This recipe calls for a large fillet of walleye fish, but you can use any type of white fish such as tilapia or cod.
• Green onion to garnish: Sliced green onions add a pop of color and freshness to the dish, providing a mild, crisp bite that complements the rich flavors of the honey mustard sauce.

Substitutes for ingredients

• If you don’t have Dijon mustard with seeds, you can use regular Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard to add a similar texture and flavor.
• Instead of walleye fillet, you can use any type of white fish such as tilapia or cod.
• Honey: If you don’t have honey, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute.
• Dry thyme and mint: You can also use fresh herbs in this recipe if available, just double the amount of dry herbs to compensate for the freshness.

You will also need this equipment:

• medium bowl
• bamboo spatula
• glass baking dish
• turner

Instructions to bake the honey mustard marinated fish

Preparations

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard with seeds, minced garlic cloves, lemon zest, dry thyme and mint, ground black pepper and salt.
2. Place the fish fillet in a glass baking dish and pour the marinade over it, making sure to coat both sides of the fish evenly.
3. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
4. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Use a bamboo spatula to gently turn the fish over in the marinade halfway through marinating time.

Baking the marinated fish

1. Once fully marinated, remove the dish from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap.
2. Leave the dish out for a few minutes to bring closer to room temperature.
3. Transfer the dish to the oven and place it in the middle.
4. Bake the fish for 15-20 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork and it’s golden brown in color. You can test with a fork in the thickest part of the fish and if it breaks easily, it’s done!
5. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Use a turner to carefully transfer the fish to a serving dish.
7. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot. The fish should be super soft and literally melting in your mouth.

Tips and tricks

• For an extra tangy flavor, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fish before serving.
• If you want to add a bit of heat, you can sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the fish before baking.
• Make sure to use a glass baking dish so that the marinade doesn’t react with any metal or aluminum.
• You can also grill this fish on a BBQ for an extra smoky flavor. Just make sure to oil the grates well before placing the fish on top.

Recipe variations

• For a healthier option, use skinless fillets.
• You can also add some thinly sliced onions or bell peppers to the marinade for added flavor and texture.
• Instead of baking, you can pan-fry the marinated fish on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through.
• You can also wrap the marinated fish in foil and cook it over a campfire for a tasty outdoor meal.
• Add some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to the marinade for a burst of freshness.

What to serve with

I served this honey mustard fish with brown rice and these yellow beans, but you can serve it with any veggies of your choice, like brussels sprouts or broccoli.

Potatoes, mashed potatoes or pasta would also go very well with this mustard fish. Kids will probably love it this way!

Or eat with cauliflower mash. Couscous salad would also be a great side dish.

Use the marinated fish to prepare tacos for a fun and flavorful twist. Use the leftover fish to make fish sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce.

Q&A you might find useful

What’s in the mustard sauce for fish?

My mustard marinade for fish is made with honey, Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice. As spices I used fresh garlic, red onion, thyme, mint, salt and pepper.

To make this honey mustard marinade EXTRA good I used olive oil. You can also use unsalted butter instead of oil if you prefer, I have a feeling it will be even more delicious this way! Or you can drizzle some melted butter when serving.

What does this honey mustard fish taste like?

This honey mustard fish tastes like a fusion of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors that perfectly complement the natural mild and flaky texture of the white fish. The sweetness from the honey balances the sharpness of the mustard, while the lemon juice and zest add a refreshing citrus note. The herbs bring a subtle fragrance, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

How do I marinate the fish?

Simply combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add the fish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 min to 1 hour (if possible). The more it sits, the softer it gets.

What type of fish can I use?

Any white fleshed fish fillet will be great.  I used walleye fillet for this honey mustard fish recipe. You can use tilapia, haddock or cod. If you want to use another type of fish adjust the cooking time accordingly, based on thickness of fillets.

How long did it take to make?

Prep time is about 10 minutes. Marinating the fish takes minimum 30 min – 1 hour is best.

Baking time is 15 to 20 minutes depending on thickness of fish fillet. So total time would be around 1 hr and 30 minutes.

Can I use the marinade for a salmon recipe?

Yes, this is a great marinade for honey mustard salmon too! For baked salmon I would use about 1 lb of salmon fillet if using this honey mustard fish marinade. Adjust the baking time accordingly depending on thickness of salmon fillets.

Bake in oven at 400 F degrees for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Storing and reheating

The leftovers can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container or the baking dish covered with aluminum foil for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply bake in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat on the stovetop over medium heat for a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook the fish.

You can also store the leftover in the freezer for about 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat using one of the methods above.

More sea food recipes you will love:

• Lemon herb salmon with couscous salad
• Baked fish in lemon garlic butter sauce
• Fish in foil with vegetables
• Mexican tuna salad
• Shrimp Biryani in the Instant Pot

Serving size

This recipe makes 2 generous servings. You can double or triple it for more people. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact ingredient measurements and instructions for your preferred serving size.

Serve this honey mustard fish to your family or friends, and they’ll be asking for seconds. It’s that good! Let me know in the comments if you gave my honey mustard fish a try or if you have another great healthy fish recipe you’d like to share.

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