This green masala fish fry is a staple dish of Goa made with fresh fish marinated in a tangy and spicy green masala paste. The masala is made with coriander leaves, green chilies, garlic, and spices. The fish is coated with rava (semolina) and pan-fried until golden and crispy. Serve this spicy green masala fish as an appetizer or side dish with rice and curry. Learn to make this crispy Goan fish fry recipe with step-by-step photos and a video.
I love making this green masala fish fry at home. The fish turns crispy on the outside and soft and flaky inside, with a lovely green masala coating. We serve it hot with rice and any curry, and trust me, the aroma while frying this fish is hard to resist.
Whenever I am tired of making the same Goan fish fry and Goan fish curry, this green masala fish is my go-to. It is so aromatic, tastes amazing, and is unique. Love Goan seafood? Try these next: Goan kingfish fry, Goan Ambot Tik, stuffed mackerel, and recheado masala fish fry.
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Quick Look: Green Masala Fish Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Calories: ~72 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- Key ingredients: Fresh fish, coriander leaves, green chilies, garlic, lemon or tamarind, semolina (rava), and oil.
- Cook Method: Make green masala paste → marinate fish → coat with rava (semolina) → shallow-fry or pan-fry on stovetop until golden and crispy
- Spice Level: Medium spicy (adjust to taste)
- Flavor Profile: Spicy and tangy
- Difficulty: Easy, great for weekend meals
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Disclaimer: AI summaries may contain errors. Please check the original Green Masala Fish Fry recipe for accurate steps.
Why you'll love this recipe!
- Authentic Goan flavors: This Goan-style green masala fish fry is pan-fried, not deep-fried, which makes it lighter.
- Simple ingredients: It is made with freshly prepared green masala paste, which smells amazing. The combination of fresh fish and green masala paste gives a spicy, tangy, and delicious coastal flavor.
- 30-Minute recipe: Ready in about 30 minutes (excluding marination).
- Quick meal prep: Marinate the fish and refrigerate. Take it out, coat it in rava, and pan-fry for a quick 10-minute side dish.
If you like this recipe, you might also like these flavorful fish fry recipes
Ingredient Needed
See the recipe card at the end of the post for full ingredients, quantities, and a printable version.
- Fish: You can use any fish for this Goan masala fish fry recipe. I have used fresh mackerel, but pomfret or kingfish work too. Frozen fish can also be used if properly thawed.
- Marinade: Simple ingredients like salt and turmeric are used.
- Green masala fish marinade: You will need coriander leaves, green chilies, cumin, garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, and lemon juice for green masala paste. Substitute lemon juice with tamarind paste. Do not skip any ingredients, or the flavors will differ. The same green marinade can also be used to make Stuffed Mackerel.
- For crispy coating: You will need semolina and rice flour. Rice flour is optional, but it makes this green fish fry extra crispy.
How to make Green Masala Fish Fry
Step 1: Clean the fish and pat it dry. I used mackerel. Make a few slits on both sides. Season with turmeric and salt, then marinate for 10 minutes to remove the fishy smell.
Step 2: In a mixer/blender jar, add the ingredients mentioned under green masala paste. Add a little water and make a thick, spreadable paste.
Step 3: Rub the fish generously with green masala paste, making sure to apply it inside the slits. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
Step 4: Heat 2-3 teaspoons of oil in a pan over medium heat for fish fry. On a plate, combine rava (semolina) and rice flour.
Step 5: Lightly coat the fish with semolina (rava) and rice flour mixture for an extra crispy texture.
Step 6: Place the fish in a heated pan and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes or until golden. Flip gently with a wide spatula and fry the other side until cooked. Remove the fish to a plate and serve immediately as an appetizer or with rice and curry.
Tips to make Spicy Green Fish Fry
- Choose firm, fleshy fish that holds up well during frying. Use fresh fish like pomfret, mackerel, kingfish, or even salmon for the best results.
- Use less water to blend the green masala paste to avoid a runny consistency.
- Marinate the fish in green masala for at least 30 minutes. It lets the flavors soak in and tenderizes the fish.
Recipe FAQs
This Goan fish fry can be served as an appetizer with onion rings and a lemon wedge. As a side dish with steamed rice, fried rice, or pressure cooker jeera rice and curry as a complete meal. I like to serve it with steamed rice, chicken xacuti, Goan fish curry, and cucumber tomato salad.
It depends on the amount of green chilies you are using for this Goan fish fry recipe. If you want to make it less spicy, reduce the quantity of green chilies. Adjust according to your preference.
You can store green masala paste in an airtight container in the freezer and use it whenever needed. It stays good for a month.
Recipe Card
Green Masala Fish Fry
Video
Equipment
- 1 frying pan/skillet
Ingredients
For marinating the fish
- 4 Mackerel fish (Any fresh fish like Pomfret, Kingfish or Salmon can be used)
- ½ teaspoon salt as per taste
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
For making green masala paste
- 1 cup coriander leaves with stems
- 2 green chilies
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1- inch ginger
- 2 cloves
- ½ inch cinnamon
- 6 black peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2-3 teaspoon lemon juice or tamarind pulp - add as per taste
For the fish fry
- 3-5 teaspoon oil
- ½ cup semolina rava
- ¼ cup rice flour
Instructions
Marinate the fish
- Clean the mackerel fish and pat it dry with a kitchen towel to ensure the masala sticks well. Make a few slits on both sides. Season with turmeric and salt. Marinate and keep it aside for 10 minutes. This is the first marinade to remove the fishy smell.4 Mackerel fish, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon turmeric
Prepare the green masala paste
- In a mixer/blender jar, add the ingredients mentioned under green masala paste. Add a little water and make a thick, spreadable paste.1 cup coriander leaves with stems, 2 green chilies, 1 teaspoon cumin, 6 garlic cloves, 1- inch ginger, 2 cloves, ½ inch cinnamon, 6 black peppercorns, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 2-3 teaspoon lemon juice
- Marinate the fish with green masala paste. Rub the fish generously with the green masala paste, ensuring the masala is applied inside the slits. Keep it covered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. The fish will absorb all the delicious flavor of the green masala marinade.
Frying the fish
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.3-5 teaspoon oil
- In a plate, combine rava (semolina) and rice flour. Lightly coat the fish with semolina (rava) and rice flour mixture for an extra crispy texture.½ cup semolina, ¼ cup rice flour
- Place the fish in the heated pan. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 minutes or until golden. Flip it gently with a wide spatula and fry on the other side until golden and cooked. Remove this green masala fish fry to a plate. Serve this Goan fish fry immediately as an appetizer or a side dish with rice and curry.
Notes
- Choose firm, fleshy fish that holds up well while frying, such as pomfret, mackerel, kingfish, or salmon.
- Use less water when blending the green masala paste to avoid a runny consistency.
- Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
- Coat the marinated fish with rava (semolina) just before frying for a crispy exterior.
- Fry on medium heat to cook the fish through without burning the coating.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if needed.
- You can bake this green masala fish. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the stuffed mackerel on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush the fish lightly with oil to prevent drying out. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping it once halfway through, until the fish is cooked and golden. Timing may differ as every oven is different.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You may also like these other Goan seafood recipes
Preeti
This classic Goan fish fry is delicious, with an incredible flavor from the fresh green masala that adds a spicy and tangy taste. The crispy rava coating gives it a perfect crunch. It's sure to become a favorite, so please give it a try.