The Most Delicious Frozen Fish Fillet Comes From A Fan-Favorite Chain
Picking up packages of frozen fish may feel like some sort of compromise, but the right purchase doesn't have to lead to disappointment. When ranking store-bought frozen fish fillets, our writer was surprised by Trader Joe's Branzino Fillets and put them in the top position on the list. Branzino is the kind of fish that can convert skeptics, as the mild-tasting European sea bass is slightly sweet. Our writer noted that these pieces resulted in bites that were not only flaky and moist but also offered an impressive richness that required little to plate beautifully.
Other Trader Joe's shoppers agree, describing the fillets as an easy purchase for a satisfying meal. Even shoppers' children are fans of the fish. "This stuff from Trader Joe's is not your average frozen fish. Definitely check it out if you like fish," wrote a fan on Reddit.
"I have caught, bought, eaten out and cooked a lot of fish," wrote a shopper on YouTube. "I just bought a bag and it is ridiculously delicious fish ... this happened to be some of the best fish I've ever eaten and I've eaten a lot of it."
A reliable option for easy upgraded meals
Fillets can be pan-seared and seasoned simply with salt and pepper, but recipes can also be dressed up for variation. Use the branzino fillets to serve fish tacos served with grapefruit salsa or a simple one-pan piccata made with butter, capers, lemon, and white wine. One shopper paired the branzino with Spanish rice and broccolini, and others cooked the fish in an air fryer and were pleased by the result.
Trader Joe's 1-pound packages of branzino contain four skin-on boneless fillets and are one of Trader Joe's seafood entrees that cost less than $10. The fish is farm raised in Türkiye, and pieces are deboned and filleted before being frozen. The only complaint from customers is that there are only four fillets in a bag. Once it's carried to the table with a cool glass of sauvignon blanc or a snappy vinho verde, you'll have a meal that will taste much more expensive than what it actually cost.