Fish in white sauce recipe
Fish in white sauce recipe is a delicious dish with delicate chunks of fish, simmered in a creamy , luxurious white sauce , made with wholewheat flour.
Jump to RecipeHello people…. Hope u r having a fun day.Finally the sun has shown, but it’s still quite chilly .
Winters!!!! I really, really want some sun and warmth right now.Can’t really do much about the weather though, so I thought why not cook something to make the mealtime cozy?
So I decided to make my Fish in white sauce.

Fish in white sauce
Originally this recipe is a part of the French cuisine, but this is a very famous dish in India .Most of the restaurants and hotels serving fish , have this as a part of the menu.
We have many versions of this recipe, but the one below is what I have had since my childhood.
This one is my mum’s version and I loved having this every-time it was cooked.Even now when I go home , she makes this for me.
This fish in white sauce recipe is all about comfort and flavour—soft, delicate chunks of fish gently simmered in a creamy, luxurious white sauce made with wholewheat flour.
It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that brings warmth to your table, especially during chilly weather.
The richness of the white sauce pairs beautifully with the mild flavour of fish, making it a perfect cozy meal for winters when you crave something hearty yet easy to cook.
White sauce recipe
A classic white sauce for fish is smooth, creamy, and lightly seasoned to complement delicate fish/ seafood.
Traditionally white sauce is made with all purpose flour/ refined flour /maida. I have adapted and i make this version using whole wheat flour for a healthier twist , without compromising on flavour.
Using whole wheat flour gives the sauce a slightly beige colour instead of the typical off-white colour that you get with the all purpose flour. However the taste remains just as creamy ,rich and comforting.
If you prefer the traditional look, you can easily substitute it with all purpose flour, the quantity stays exactly the same.
How to Make White Sauce for Fish
To make white sauce you need a few basic ingredients – Butter ,Whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour/ refined flour (maida), Milk (whole or skimmed) ,Salt to taste, White pepper powder (a light dash) , freshly grated nutmeg or nutmeg powder , and a small bay leaf.
In a heavy-bottomed pan and melt the butter on low heat. Add the flour and whisk it into the butter until smooth, forming a roux.
Cook this mixture for about 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously until it releases a mild, nutty aroma and be careful not to cook it for too long . We do not want it to go brown.
Take the pan off the heat and gradually add the milk little by little , stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Once fully combined, return the pan to the heat. Add salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and the bay leaf.
Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-6 minutes, stirring continuously until it thickens into a smooth, creamy consistency. Once it begins to lightly boil, remove from heat. You can discard the bay leaf.
This velvety white sauce is perfect for coating fish, baking, or even pouring over pan-seared fillets for a comforting, restaurant style dish at home.
Method to Make the White sauce Fish
Heat oil in a pan and add garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the raw smell of the garlic goes away.
Add onions and sauté for a minute.You do not need to brown them. Then add capsicum (Green or red pepper) and sauté for another minute.
Now add the fish (cut into delicate chunks or the fillet ) and cook for 8-10 minutes, adjusting the time depending on the type of fish you are using.
Add salt and white pepper. Remember, the white sauce for fish will also have seasoning, so keep it balanced and do not over-salt at this stage.
Once the fish is cooked, keep it aside and prepare the creamy, luxurious white sauce made with wholewheat flour. Or you can also prepare the white sauce for fish beforehand .
Now gently add the prepared fish to the white sauce and let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavours to come together beautifully.
Your fish in white sauce recipe is now ready. Garnish with a dash of cream and fresh coriander, and serve warm. You can also optionally add grated cheese or parmesan for extra richness.
I hope you enjoy cooking it and serving this to your family as much as I do.

Fish in white sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Fish
- 500 grams fish (cod/ haddock/ any white fish) cleaned and wiped
- 6-8 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion sliced in half moons
- 1 small capsicum thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- dash of White pepper powder
White Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp Wheat flour/ all purpose flour/Maida
- 3 cups milk whole or skimmed
- salt as per taste
- dash of White pepper powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg freshly ground
- 1 small bayleaf
Garnishing
- 1 tbsp cream
- parmesan cheese optional
- coriander
Instructions
- Heat oil, add garlic. Sauce for 1-2 min till the raw smell of the garlic goes away.
- Add onions and saute for a minute. You do not need to brown the onions.
- Add capsicum and saute for a minute.
- Add fish and cook for 8-10 min (adjust the time depending on the type of fish you are using).
- Add salt and white pepper. Remember the sauce will also have salt and pepper , so add just enough to make sure the taste is balanced across the dish.Once the fish is cooked, keep this aside and prepare the white sauce.
- For the white sauce, on slow heat, in a heavy bottomed pan, heat butter.
- Add the flour in the melted butter, and blend it nicely.
- Stir for 3-4 min till you start noticing a nice aroma from the mixture. Just make sure you do not heat it too much that the flour starts turning brown.
- Now take off heat and start adding milk. Ensure you stir constantly so no lumps are formed.
- Once the flour and milk are mixed , turn on the heat . Add salt, white pepper, nutmeg and bayleaf. Keep stirring and simmer for 5-6 min till the milk starts to boil and then take it off heat. It should be a smooth creamy sauce. Remove the Bayleaf.
- Now add the prepared fish to the sauce and simmer again on hob on slow heat for 2-3 minutes.
- The fish and dish is now ready. Yessss!!!!!! You’ve done it…….
- Garnish this with a dash of cream and coriander and serve.Optional add grated cheese/ parmesan…

- Any kind of bread/ Naan bread or rice is a perfect accompaniment to this fish.
Video
Notes
- I used White pepper in the recipe, as I usually use that in white sauce to keep the colour uniform. You can always use black pepper instead.
- Also for authentic white sauce you use all purpose flour, but to make a healthier version I used whole wheat flour, the colour of my fish is obviously not as white !!You can use the all purpose / refined flour to make the white sauce.
What to serve with Fish in white sauce?
Any kind of bread or rice is a perfect accompaniment to this fish recipe. Soft naan, toasted bread, or even dinner rolls work beautifully to soak up the creamy, luxurious white sauce.
If you prefer something more comforting, serve it with steamed rice, jeera rice, or even lightly buttered rice.
The mild flavours pair perfectly with the delicate chunks of fish and rich creamy white sauce .
For a more wholesome meal, you can also add a side of sautéed vegetables or a simple salad to balance out the creaminess.
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I’m sorry but what is gain on hob?
Hi Marlene
Thanks for pointing out the typo error, it is now corrected. I meant simmer again on the hob.
Hope you enjoy cooking this.
Hi, was just wondering how many people this is for before I try making it. Sounds delicious but didn’t know if I should double the recipe to serve for 4 people. Thanks
Hi
This quantity is enough for single serving for four people.
But you can always double the qty and freeze the rest, and reheat in the oven when required.