Go Back
–+ servings

Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Ukrainian Fish in Red Sauce is a classic recipe from Mariupol. Flaky, firm fish is slowly simmered in a tomato sauce with caramelized onions.
4.50 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Eastern European, Ukrainian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 354 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Onions or 550 grams of onion
  • 4 Bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 cups Tomato juice and ½ cup extra to add
  • 4 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Salmon fillets, cod fillets, or white fish fillets
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
  • Salt to taste

To Serve:

  • Dill, Cilantro, or fresh parsley as garnish
  • Rustic Hard Crust Sourdough BreadTo Serve:

Instructions
 

SAUCE:

  • Begin by thinly slicing the onions.
  • In a deep skillet with 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, saute onions until a light golden color, this will take about 30 minutes over low medium heat.
  • Pour 1 ½ cups tomato juice into the pan and add 2 bay leaves, let it come to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat until the sauce thickens.
  • Season with ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  • Take off heat and let sit while preparing the fish.

FISH:

  • Pat the salmon steaks dry with a paper towel. Season with salt on both sides.
  • In a new frying pan with 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, fry the salmon streaks for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat on each side until a light golden color forms on the outside, do not cook through all the way.

ASSEMBLE:

  • Pour the onion tomato sauce over the salmon steaks, bring to a boil, and simmer for 25 to 40 minutes. This will depend on the thickness of the fish. You can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. The fish is done when it reaches 145ºF/63ºC.
  • Feel free to adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more tomato juice. Taste for seasoning, adjust with salt/pepper.
  • Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Serve with a side of sourdough bread.

Notes

Be sure to listen to Olia's episode, Mariupol: Summer Memories, Besieged Warfare, and the Future of Ukraine while you make her Fish in Tomato Sauce recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 69mgPotassium: 958mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 470IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy, Fish in Tomato Sauce, Seafood
Tune into The Storied Recipe PodcastEvery recipe comes with a story!