--- title: "Fish spatula: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A fish spatula is a thin, flexible, slotted turner that slides under delicate fish, eggs and pancakes without breaking them. Here is how to use one." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fish-spatula" --- # Fish spatula A fish spatula is a thin, flexible, slotted turner that slides under delicate fish, eggs and pancakes without breaking them. Here is how to use one. Also called Fish slice, Fish turner, Slotted offset spatula. A fish spatula is a turner with a thin, flexible metal blade that is angled up from the handle and cut with long slots. The thin edge slides under a piece of fish without tearing the skin, and the flex lets it hug the pan. The slots let oil drain away. In the UK a similar tool is called a fish slice. Despite the name, it is one of the most useful turners for almost any food. ## How to use it 1. Wait until the food is ready to turn. Fish skin and seared meat release on their own once a crust has formed. 2. Slide the blade in at a low angle, keeping it pressed flat against the pan. 3. Move it in one smooth push all the way under the food, then lift and turn with your wrist. 4. For a large [fillet](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fillet), use the spatula underneath and a spoon or a second spatula on top to guide it. Other good jobs for it are flipping fried eggs, pancakes, burgers and fritters, lifting cookies off a [sheet pan](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sheet-pan), and turning scallops. The angled shape also makes it easy to baste with a spoon while holding food in place. ## Substitutes A thin metal offset spatula works, or a wide plastic turner on a nonstick pan. Thick, stiff turners and [tongs](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/tongs) tend to break delicate fish. ## Common mistakes * Using a metal fish spatula on a [nonstick pan](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/nonstick-pan). It scratches the coating. Look for a heat-resistant nylon or silicone-edged version for those pans. * Turning fish too soon. The skin sticks and tears. Give it time to [pan-fry](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/pan-fry) and release. * Lifting with the blade tilted up. The edge catches and breaks the food instead of sliding under it. * Leaving it resting in the hot pan. The handle can get hot and some handles melt. ## In recipes "Turn carefully with a thin spatula" or "use a fish slice" both mean this tool. A recipe that asks for it is warning that the food is fragile. ## Recipes made with it 2 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Miso-Salmon-2.jpg)Miso Salmon Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 372 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/broiled-miso-salmon/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/CedarPlankBrownSugarSpice-RubbedSalmon.jpg)Cedar Plank Spice-Rubbed Salmonwww.skinnytaste.com · 20 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/cedar-plank-spice-rubbed-salmon/) ## Related terms * [Pan-fryPan-frying cooks food in a skillet with a thin layer of hot fat over medium to medium-high heat, so it browns on each side as it cooks through.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/pan-fry) * [FilletA fillet is a boneless piece of fish or meat, and to fillet is to cut that piece away from the bones. Here is how to fillet a round fish cleanly.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fillet) * [SkilletA skillet is a frying pan with low, sloped sides for searing, frying and sautéing. Here are the materials, sizes and how to choose the right one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/skillet) * [TongsKitchen tongs are spring-loaded grips for turning, lifting and serving food without piercing it. Here is how to use them and which kind to buy.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/tongs) * [Nonstick panA nonstick pan has a slick coating that stops eggs, fish and pancakes from sticking with little fat. Here is how to use it and make the coating last.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/nonstick-pan) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)