Forget its name. The humble fish spatula, long typecast as a single-use gadget, is in fact one of the most versatile tools you can own in your kitchen. According to a former editor of Epicurious and Bon Appétit, who spent years testing kitchen gear, this implement outperforms a regular spatula in almost every task.
What Makes a Fish Spatula So Special?
A fish spatula differs from its standard counterpart through its unique design. It features a longer, thinner, and almost sharp head, often with a slight upward bevel. This fin-shaped design allows it to slide with precision under delicate foods without damage. Furthermore, its head is perforated with several long slots, which let excess oil or liquid drain away, ensuring a secure grip on whatever you're lifting.
Five Unexpected Uses for Your Fish Spatula
1. Flipping and Lifting Delicate Foods: While excellent for pan-fried salmon, its true prowess shines with eggs, crepes, and pancakes. The thin edge perfectly manoeuvres under a fried egg's lacy edges or a paper-thin crepe, preventing breakage and leaving no stuck bits behind. Note: avoid using it on non-stick coatings to prevent scratches.
2. Straining Liquids: The slotted head makes it a perfect substitute for a spider strainer. Use it to lift poached eggs from water or retrieve deep-fried chicken from hot oil. When sautéing items like latkes, it minimises oil splatter and prevents food from slipping.
3. The Perfect Bakeware Assistant: It's a secret weapon for bakers. The spatula can slide under cookies with crisp, lacy edges without breaking them, preserving crucial texture. Its near-sharp edge can also be used to cut brownies or bar cookies cleanly, while the angled head helps neatly extract slices.
4. Whisking Pan Sauces: The fish spatula excels at scraping up fond (the browned bits) from a pan. But its oblong holes also make it an effective tool for whisking and emulsifying a creamy pan sauce, getting into the corners of the pan better than a standard balloon whisk.
5. Cleaning Stubborn Pans: That sharp, thin edge is ideal for scraping off baked-on cheese or egg from stainless steel or cast-iron cookware. While it may leave cosmetic marks on stainless steel, this is considered a fair trade-off for a thoroughly clean pan. Do not use it on non-stick, ceramic, or enameled surfaces.
Which Fish Spatula Should You Buy?
Any model possessing the features described will serve you well. After extensive testing, the top recommendation is the Victorinox Slotted Fish Turner with a wooden handle, priced at $31. The wooden handle won't melt near heat, and the sturdy stainless-steel construction resists bending.
For more budget-friendly options, the Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Fish Turner Spatula (around $14-$19) and the OXO Good Grips Little Fish Turner (around $17) are also highly recommended. This one simple tool might just become your most reached-for utensil, proving it deserves a name change to the 'Everything Spatula'.
