What Delicious Dishes Can Be Made with Carp? 12 Simple Carp Recipes

Are you wondering what delicious dishes to make with carp to change the flavor of your family meal? With its sweet, firm, and nutritious meat, carp can be processed into many attractive dishes such as braising, stewing, steaming, or cooking soup. With just a few simple secrets, you can transform familiar carp into delicious, appetizing, and healthy meals. Below, let’s follow this article with Ola Squid to solve the above question in detail!

1. Introduction to carp and nutritional value

Carp is one of the most familiar freshwater fish for Vietnamese people. Not only is every part from the head, meat to fins utilized for food, but carp also appears in many Oriental medicine remedies thanks to its special nutritional value. The fish meat is thick, fatty, and naturally sweet, making it very popular in daily cooking.

Besides its flavor, carp also brings many health benefits such as supporting diuretics, promoting lactation, cleansing the digestive system, and strengthening the physical health of people recovering from illness. Thanks to its natural sweet flavor and rich nutritional value, carp is always an ideal choice for both adults and children.

2. Secrets to choosing fresh carp and preparing carp without the fishy smell

To cook a perfectly flavored carp dish, the first step is to choose very fresh fish. Prioritize those that are still alive, swimming strongly, with clear bright eyes, bright red gills, and a shiny body. The scales must be firmly attached and not scratched, which is a sign that the fish has just been caught and maintains its best quality.

When preparing the fish, rub grain salt or lemon all over the body to remove the slime, then wash it clean and gently gut it, avoiding breaking the gallbladder which causes bitterness. The secret to making the fish meat lose its fishy smell lies in removing the white tendon running along both sides of the spine. You just need to lightly nick the head and tail then use tweezers to pull it out slowly. Thanks to this step, the fish meat will be more fragrant and no longer have an unpleasant fishy smell when processed.

3. What delicious dishes to make with carp?

If you are wondering what delicious dishes to make with carp, here are 12 simple but extremely appetizing ways to prepare it:

3.1. Steamed carp with beer

Steamed carp with beer is an option you should not miss if you want to fully feel the sweet and soft taste of fish meat. The beer vapor penetrates into each fiber of the meat to help eliminate the natural fishy smell, while making the flavor more rich and easy to eat.

Ingredients

• 1 kg carp
• 1 can of beer
• Green onions, shallots
• Ginger, tomatoes, salt
• Dill, lemongrass
• Vietnamese coriander, rice paddy herb

Instruction

• Step 1: Wash the carp, lightly score both sides of the body. Crush a piece of ginger and a stalk of lemongrass, mix with a little salt and rub evenly on the fish to eliminate the fishy smell.
• Step 2: Peel and shred the ginger. Cut shallots into about 5 cm sections, finely chop the green parts. Crush the lemongrass and cut into sections; wash the dill, Vietnamese coriander, and rice paddy herb then cut into bite-sized pieces. Slice the tomatoes into wedges.
• Step 3: Line the bottom of the pot with a layer of lemongrass, ginger, and shallots, then place the fish on top. Pour the beer into the pot, add the remaining lemongrass, ginger, and shallots on top of the fish. Cover and steam over low heat for about 25 minutes.
• Step 4: When the fish is just cooked, add the dill, green onions, Vietnamese coriander, rice paddy herb, and tomatoes, cook for another 5 minutes then turn off the heat. Place the fish on a plate and enjoy while hot.

See more: How to make delicious, sweet, non-fishy steamed squid with beer at home

3.2. Carp braised with sour pickles

When mentioning delicious dishes from carp, carp braised with sour pickles is always an attractive choice. The soft, sweet, and lightly fatty fish meat blends with the gentle sourness of pickled mustard greens, the ripe red of tomatoes, and the characteristic scent of dill to create a rich, viscous stew that is extremely appetizing.

Ingredients

• Carp: 500 g
• Pickled mustard greens: 300 g
• Fried tofu: 200 g
• Pork fat cracklings: 100 g
• Cherry tomatoes: 3 fruits
• Lemon: 1.5 fruits
• Shallots: 1 bulb
• Accompanying vegetables: banana blossoms, Malabar spinach, water spinach, culantro
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Salt, pepper, cooking oil, fish sauce

Instruction

• Step 1: Rub the fish with salt and lemon to eliminate the fishy smell, wash again, drain, and cut into sections.
• Step 2: Thinly slice the banana blossoms, soak in lemon water and salt for a few minutes then wash again. Clean the water spinach and Malabar spinach, drain. Soak the pickled greens in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce saltiness. Finely chop the culantro; cut cherry tomatoes into wedges; mince the shallots; cut the tofu into pieces.
• Step 3: Put the fish in an air fryer, set to 200°C, fry each part of the fish for about 10 minutes until firm and fragrant.
• Step 4: Sauté the shallots until fragrant, then stir-fry the tomatoes and pickled greens for about 3 minutes. Add filtered water and fish sauce. Arrange the fish in the pot, pour boiling water to barely cover the fish surface. Add the pork cracklings and tofu, cover and braise over low heat for 30 minutes. Season with pepper and culantro for aroma then turn off the heat.
• Step 5: The braised carp with pickles is soft and sweet, with a harmonious gentle sour taste, crunchy pickles, and lightly fatty pork cracklings. This dish is best served hot with rice or vermicelli, accompanied by vegetables and a bowl of salty fish sauce.

Not only delicious, carp in traditional cuisine is also considered a food rich in protein and vitamins, very suitable for nourishing the body. When braised correctly, the fish is not fishy at all, leaving only a sweet taste and seductive aroma.

See more: What is the best dish to make with grouper? Revealing 12 attractive grouper dishes

3.3. Steamed carp with fermented soybean

What delicious dishes to make with carp? You can refer to the unique steamed carp with fermented soybean dish. The soft sweet fish meat blends with the rich taste of fermented soybeans and a slightly salty, lightly sweet sauce layer, creating an irresistible harmonious flavor. Not only easy to prepare, this dish also provides many nutrients such as protein, fat, phosphorus, and B group vitamins, which are especially good for blood formation and body nourishment.

Required ingredients:

• Carp: 2 fish (1 kg)
• Fermented soybean grains: 300 g
• Green onions, sugar, MSG

Detailed instruction:

• Step 1: Wash the fish, drain, score a few lines on the body to absorb the seasoning.
• Step 2: Mix the fish with fermented soybean grains, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of MSG. Marinate for about 40 minutes.
• Step 3: Cook the fish over medium heat until boiling, then lower the heat and simmer for another 30 minutes so the fish is evenly seasoned. Season again to taste and sprinkle with green onions before turning off the heat.
• Step 4: Serve the fish on a plate, eat hot with rice and a bowl of lemon pepper salt to increase the flavor.

3.4. Carp with tomato sauce

Carp with tomato sauce is simple to prepare but still extremely attractive and rice-consuming. The fish meat is soft and sweet, absorbing seasonings, while the skin remains firm and chewy, making the dish both fragrant and delicious, suitable for both adults and children.

Ingredients

• Carp: 1 fish
• Tomatoes: 4-5 fruits (depending on size)
• Shallots: 2-3 bulbs
• Dill: 1 small bunch
• Salt, MSG, cooking oil

Instruction

• Step 1: Wash the fish, score a few lines on the body and rub with a little salt. Use paper towels to absorb water so the oil doesn’t splatter when frying.
• Step 2: Heat oil in a pan, fry the fish until the outer layer is golden and crispy, turn both sides evenly, then take it out to drain.
• Step 3: Dice the tomatoes, mince the shallots, clean the dill. Sauté the shallots until fragrant, then add the tomatoes and stir-fry until soft and viscous.
• Step 4: Add a little filtered water and season to taste. Put the fish in and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes, pour the sauce evenly over the fish then turn off the heat, display the fish on a plate and sprinkle with dill.

See more: Recipe for making squid cake with tomato sauce simply but deliciously

3.5. Crispy grilled carp

If you want to renew your family menu, you can consider the crispy grilled carp dish. The characteristic aroma from grilled fish spreads, blending with the gentle fattiness of the meat, making the dish attractive from the first bite and easily conquering family members.

Ingredients for 4 people:

• Carp: 2 kg (2 fish)
• Garlic, 6 fresh chilies
• Chili powder: 1 tablespoon
• Satay sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Salt, sugar, cooking oil in sufficient quantities

Instruction:

• Step 1: Gut the fish, remove all internal organs and eggs (if any), wash clean. Rub salt on the fish body to eliminate the fishy smell, scrape off scales and slime, wash again and let drain. Score diagonal lines on both sides of the fish to absorb the seasoning.
• Step 2: Mix minced garlic, minced chili, chili powder, salt, sugar, cooking oil, and satay sauce into a mixture. Spread evenly on both sides of the fish and put seasoning inside the belly, marinate for 30 minutes.
• Step 3: Light a charcoal fire, place the fish on a grill and roast for about 30 minutes, turning both sides evenly until the fish is golden and crispy.
• Step 4: The grilled carp is golden and fragrant, the meat is fatty and sweet, absorbing the spicy taste of chili and satay. Serve with sweet and sour fish sauce and enjoy with the family.

3.6. Claypot braised carp

Claypot braised carp is a familiar dish in Vietnamese meals thanks to its rich flavor and ease of eating. The fish is simmered in a clay pot with fish sauce, caramel sauce, galangal, and chili until the meat is firm, absorbing seasonings and creating an eye-catching caramel color. The gentle spiciness of pepper both suppresses the fishy smell and increases the aroma of the dish.

Ingredients

• Carp: 400 g
• Pork belly: 150 g
• Chili: 1 fruit (as preferred)
• Green onions: 1-2 stalks
• Garlic: 1-2 bulbs
• Seasoning: cooking oil, fish sauce, sugar, pepper

Detailed instruction:

• Step 1: Wash the fish, you can use lemon or vinegar to eliminate the fishy smell, cut into 3-4 cm thick sections. Wash and dice the pork belly. Peel and mince the garlic; crush the chili; cut green onions into 3-4 cm sections.
• Step 2: Mix the fish with garlic, chili, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and a little pepper, marinate for 20 minutes. Marinate the pork belly similarly.
• Step 3: Cook 2 tablespoons of sugar in a clay pot until it turns into a caramel color, then add the meat and stir until firm. Next, add the fish, more fish sauce, and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, stir well. Pour in water to barely cover, bring to a boil then turn down the heat, simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce thickens. Finally, add green onions and pepper, turn off the heat.
• Step 4: The claypot braised fish has an attractive caramel color, soft meat, well-seasoned with a combination of sweet, salty, and a little spiciness. Serve with raw vegetables, boiled vegetables, or sour soup.

3.7. Carp sour soup

Carp sour soup is refreshing and suitable for cooling down on hot days. Naturally soft and sweet fish meat blends with the gentle sour taste of pineapple or bamboo shoots, dotted with a little spiciness of chili and aroma from herbs, creating an attractive, rich soup bowl that is not greasy.

Ingredients

• Crunchy carp: 300 g
• Fish roe: 1 piece
• Taro stems (giant elephant ear): 3 stalks
• Shallots, chili, tomatoes
• Kumquat: 10 fruits
• Green onions, culantro or dill
• Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Cooking oil, salt, seasoning powder

Instruction

• Step 1: Clean the fish, remove scales, gills, gut, and roe, cut into bite-sized sections. Wash the fish thoroughly, rub lightly with salt and let drain. Wash the fish roe, soak in salt water for a few minutes, then drain.
• Step 2: Peel the taro stems, squeeze with salt to remove water and dirt, then blanch in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Cut tomatoes into wedges, thinly slice shallots, clean green onions and culantro/dill, soak in salt water then wash again.
• Step 3: Sauté shallots with cooking oil until fragrant, then add tomatoes and stir-fry until soft. Season with turmeric powder, salt, seasoning powder, add 1 liter of water and bring to a boil. Add the fish and roe, cook for 10 minutes, then add kumquat juice and chili, cook for another 10 minutes.
• Step 4: Add the taro stems, bring to a boil again, add green onions and culantro/dill 1-2 minutes before turning off the heat. The soup is sweet and sour, the fish meat is firm and sweet, combining with the aroma of herbs. Serve hot, dip the fish in fish sauce to increase the flavor.

3.8. Carp hotpot

A steaming hotpot with sweet and sour broth, light and refreshing, infused with the aroma of onions and a little spiciness from satay, combined with naturally sweet and chewy carp meat.

Required ingredients:

• Crunchy carp: 1 fish (~2 kg)
• Pork leg bones: 500g
• Shallots, garlic, ginger, dill: 10g each
• Fermented rice (mẻ): 50g
• Tomatoes: 4 fruits
• Pineapple: 1 fruit
• Accompanying vegetables such as banana blossoms, water spinach, water celery,…
• Fresh vermicelli: 2 kg
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, MSG, fish sauce, chili

Instruction:

• Step 1: Wash the pork bones, blanch briefly in boiling water then wash again. Peel the pineapple, remove eyes, and slice; cut tomatoes into wedges. Cut dill into sections, mince ginger, and peel and mince shallots and garlic. Mash the fermented rice with a little water, filter to remove the residue, and clean the carp, removing scales, gills, and gut.
• Step 2: Put bones into a pot of boiling water, skim foam regularly, then add salt, sugar, MSG, simmer for 2 hours to get sweet broth.
• Step 3: Sauté shallots and garlic with cooking oil, stir-fry with tomatoes, pineapple, and carp until firm. Add the fermented rice water, then pour in the bone broth. Season with fish sauce, ginger, sugar, MSG, pepper, chili. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, season again to taste, and finally add the dill.
• Step 4: Serve the hotpot, eat with vegetables and fresh vermicelli. The fish meat is crunchy and sweet, incredibly fragrant, combined with the gentle sour broth from fermented rice and pineapple; eating with pure fish sauce and chili is perfect.

See more: How to cook squid hotpot perfectly: fresh squid, sweet broth

3.9. Carp porridge

Carp porridge is delicious, nutritious, and very easy to eat, especially suitable on rainy days or when needing body nourishment. The soft-bloomed porridge grains, well-seasoned, blend with naturally sweet carp meat to create an unforgettable rich flavor.

Ingredients

• Carp: 1 fish (~500 g)
• Plain rice: 1/2 cup
• Glutinous rice: 1 handful
• Straw mushrooms: 100 g
• Green onions, pepper
• Vinegar or wine to process the fish
• Seasoning: fish sauce, salt

Detailed instruction:

• Step 1: Clean the fish: gut, scale, remove the black membrane in the belly, wash with vinegar or wine to eliminate the fishy smell. Wash the straw mushrooms, remove stems, and cut in half.
• Step 2: Boil the fish with a little crushed ginger, pick out the meat, lightly marinate with fish sauce and pepper. Sauté shallots with a little oil, add the fish meat and stir-fry until firm, avoiding breaking it.
• Step 3: Lightly roast the rice to increase aroma, cook with a preferred amount of water to make the porridge thick or thin. Add the stir-fried fish to the porridge pot, season to taste.
• Step 4: When the porridge is cooked, sprinkle with green onions and a little pepper. Carp porridge is fragrant and nutritious, suitable for pregnant women, should be eaten 2-3 times/week combined with other foods to balance nutrition.

3.10. Stir-fried carp with mushrooms

Stir-fried carp with mushrooms has a rich flavor, chewy-soft fish meat combined with crunchy shiitake mushrooms and fresh sweet vegetables. The harmony between fish, mushrooms, and seasonings creates a unique but very delicious experience. In addition to flavor, the dish also brings many health benefits. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in vitamin B, contain antioxidants, help support cardiovascular health, and reduce cholesterol. You can also add some dried squid tentacles or celery to make the stir-fry more eye-catching.

Ingredients (2 people)

• Crunchy carp: 1 fish
• Fresh shiitake mushrooms: 100 g
• Shallot: 1 bulb
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Fresh chili: 2 fruits
• Tomato: 1 fruit
• Herbs: a little
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, seasoning powder, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil

Instruction

• Step 1: Clean the fish, remove gills, gut, scales, and fillet then marinate with salt, pepper, and seasoning powder for about 15 minutes. Wash fresh mushrooms and cut into bite-sized pieces; soak dried mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes then squeeze dry. Mince shallot and garlic; cut tomato into wedges; slice chili.
• Step 2: Heat oil, fry the fish over medium heat until golden on both sides, remove to drain oil. Then, sauté shallot and garlic with a little oil, add mushrooms and stir well, add tomato and stir-fry until soft and seasoning is absorbed.
• Step 3: Put the fried fish into the mushroom pan, gently stir, season with fish sauce, pepper, sugar, and seasoning powder to taste. You can add a little broth to create a viscous sauce, serve hot with herbs.

3.11. Grilled carp with pepper and chili

Grilled carp with pepper and chili is a choice for those who want to avoid grease but still want a flavorful fish dish. The fish meat is evenly infused with the spicy aroma of pepper and chili, creating an attractive fragrance that is not boring. When eaten with green chili salt or sweet and sour fish sauce, the grilled dish becomes complete, both spicy and fragrant, making every piece of fish attractive and unforgettable.

Ingredients

• Crunchy carp: 700 g
• Cucumber: 2 fruits
• Fresh chili: 3 fruits
• Tomato: 2 fruits
• Minced garlic, minced shallot
• Chili sauce: 1/2 tablespoon
• Cashew nut oil: 2 teaspoons
• Five-spice powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Accompanying herbs: lettuce, mint, heartleaf
• Common seasonings: salt, sugar, MSG, fish sauce

Detailed instruction:

• Step 1: Clean the fish by scaling, removing gills, gut, tail, and washing thoroughly with salt. Cut the fish into steaks about 2 fingers thick. Pick and wash herbs. Thinly slice tomatoes and cucumbers, and mince chili.
• Step 2: Mix the fish with garlic, shallot, minced chili, chili sauce, fish sauce, cashew nut oil, five-spice powder, salt, and MSG, marinate for 30 minutes to absorb seasoning.
• Step 3: Arrange the fish on an oven tray, cover, and roast for 30 minutes at 200°C. Open the lid, flip the fish, roast for another 30 minutes until golden, then mix with the leftover marinade and roast for 10 more minutes.
• Step 4: Display the fish on a plate, arrange tomatoes and cucumbers around, serve with herbs. The grilled carp is crispy, rich, and fragrant, suitable for family meals or drinking parties.

3.12. Braised carp with galangal

Braised carp with galangal is a traditional dish in many Northern families, outstanding with the characteristic aroma of galangal and an unforgettable rich taste. The fish is braised soft yet firm with fish sauce, pepper, and fragrant galangal slices, creating an attractive color and harmonious flavor.

Ingredients include:

• Carp: 1.5 kg
• Pork belly: 150 g
• 50 g minced galangal with 100 g thinly sliced galangal
• Green onions: 50 g
• Shallot, fresh chili
• Seasoning: sugar, seasoning powder, ground pepper, MSG, fish sauce, caramel sauce

Detailed instruction:

• Step 1: Clean the fish, wash with salt and water, drain. Wash and slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Slice the shallot, cut green onions into 4-5 cm sections, crush the chili.
• Step 2: Mix the fish with minced galangal, seasoning powder, MSG, and pepper, let sit for about 15 minutes to absorb seasoning.
• Step 3: Sauté shallot and chili in hot oil until fragrant, add pork belly and stir-fry until firm. Add filtered water, sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, pepper, fish sauce, caramel sauce, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Step 4: In a clay pot, arrange green onions, shallot, and galangal slices, place the fish on top. Pour the pork belly sauce in and braise over low heat for about 1.5 hours so the fish absorbs flavor and becomes soft and delicious.

See more: What delicious dishes to make with catfish? Top 14 delicious and nutritious catfish dishes

4. Some notes when preparing carp dishes

Preparing carp might seem simple, but to make the dish both delicious and nutritious, you need to keep a few things in mind:

• Choose fresh fish with firm meat: The quality of the dish depends largely on the freshness of the fish. You should choose fish that are still alive, with clear eyes, red gills, shiny bodies, and firmly attached scales. In addition, you should avoid fish with strange smells, pale gills, or scratched bodies, as this will affect the flavor and food safety.
• Prepare thoroughly to eliminate the fishy smell: Carp can be slightly fishy if not prepared correctly. Use salt or lemon to rub all over the body to remove slime, gut gently, remove all internal organs, and avoid breaking the gallbladder.
• Choose the appropriate preparation method: Carp can be boiled, steamed, braised, fried, or stir-fried. Each processing method will highlight a unique flavor, so choose the method that suits your taste and the dish you intend to cook.
• Choose reasonable ingredients and seasonings: Carp has a natural sweet taste, so seasonings should be moderate to enhance the fish flavor. When braising or stewing, you should season with enough fish sauce, salt, pepper, galangal, green onions, or characteristic seasonings, avoiding overpowering the fish taste. When grilling or frying, you can combine pepper, chili, and lemongrass to increase the aroma and make the dish more attractive.
• Eat immediately after processing: Carp is best when eaten hot and just cooked. Eating immediately helps preserve the sweetness of the meat and the natural aroma of the dish, while ensuring the most beneficial nutrients.

If you are wondering what delicious dishes to make with carp, hopefully the above suggestions have helped you find attractive and easy-to-do recipes at home. Besides fish dishes, for parties or casual gatherings, you can supplement your menu with premium whole dried squid from our store. To explore more delicious recipes, preparation tips, and other useful information, don’t forget to visit the Blog of Ola Squid!