Hot or Mild Fish Spice Rub

A reliable spice rub for fish is one of those things every kitchen needs and almost nobody has written down. This one is four spices; cumin, coriander, curry powder, and chili powder, in proportions that produce a warm, aromatic blend that works on almost any fish, either mild or properly spicy depending on which curry you reach for.

By Marinka
November 4, 2018

The choice to leave salt and pepper out of the mix is deliberate and worth explaining. Different fish need different amounts of salt, and everyone at the table has their own preference. Mixing it into the rub removes that control and risks over-salting a delicate fillet or under-seasoning a thick one. The method here is to apply salt and pepper to the fish first, then the rub, so both elements can be adjusted independently and the spice blend stays what it is: a warm, reusable blend that goes into a jar and sits ready for the next piece of fish on the grill.

Hot curry gives the rub a spicy punch; mild curry keeps the warmth without the heat. Either version works on catfish, salmon, rainbow trout, or any firm-fleshed fish heading for the grill, griddle, stovetop, or oven. One tablespoon of cumin, one of coriander, a teaspoon each of curry and chili powder, enough for about a pound of fish.

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Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Key ingredients to make Hot or Mild Fish Rub

You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.

  • Coriander
  • Cumin
  • Curry powder
  • Chili powder

Don't Miss a Single Great Recipe!

There is not really a recipe for this Hot or Mild Fish Spice Rub; it is a matter of mixing the spices: cumin, coriander, curry and chili powder. The thing I may do differently, than others who create spice blends, is that I do NOT add salt and pepper to the mix; I always apply salt and pepper first and then the rub. I have 2 reasons for this:

  1. Salt and pepper are important for the end-flavor of your fish, so I want to make sure that I do not over-salt or under-salt. Different fishes may need different amount of salt and pepper.
  2. Everybody can have their own preference for the amount of salt and pepper, or even no salt. Mixing it in with the spices makes that difficult.
Fish fillets with fish rub on grill dish

Recipes to Use this Spice Rub

Hot or Mild Fish Spice Rub
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Hot or Mild Fish Spice Rub

Author: Marinka
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Sauces & Condiments
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Nut-free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 2.5 tablespoons
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder, hot or mild
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • This rub is enough for about 1 pound of fish.
  • Mix cumin, coriander, curry and chili powder.
  • Prepare the fish and apply salt and pepper as per your preference.
  • Then apply spice rub and prepare fish on grill, griddle, stove top of oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Sodium: 24mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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  1. Gill Furman says:

    I make this regularly, every one enjoys it, unbelievable easy and delicious.

    1. Thank you, glad you like it.

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