Cooking fish could make it or break it for some people – and it’s mostly because of the smell. It tends to have a strong, pungent smell when being fried or grilled, which easily spreads around the house.

Sometimes, dealing with the scent seems like a pain because it just won’t go away. But for this case, the answer is simpler than you think.

Here are a few easy tricks to prevent fish smell when cooking with natural materials.

Buy Your Fish Fresh

If you really want to avoid the fishy smell from start to finish, many recommend buying the freshest fish available. The freshness also determines how flavorful it will be.

It helps to learn how to find the best fish in your local market or grocery store on your own. This way, you can feel confident knowing you chose a good one.

Go For Quality

Quality is the second most important thing to consider when buying fish. The better the quality, the less likely it will emit a strong odor. Usually, you can tell them apart based on physical attributes, like the eyes, scales, and flesh.

A good rule of thumb is to go for fish that are pre-packaged in air-tight cases. Otherwise, you want to carefully evaluate your options.

Maintain Proper Ventilation

If you’re cooking fish indoors, make sure you maintain proper ventilation by keeping the windows open. Doing this helps dissipate the odor without having to deal with where it leads later. You can also use a kitchen extractor fan if you own one.

Another alternative to ventilation is taking it outdoors. Cooking fish outside takes away the worry of having the smell spread indoors, although it might still emit a mild odor while you cook.

Cook with Acidic Ingredients

Consider cooking your fish with citrus fruits, like lemon and lime, or vinegar. Not only does it reduce the odor, but it also gives the taste an extra kick. So, try to choose your acidic ingredient based on the type of dish you’re making.

Leave White Vinegar or Baking Soda Overnight

If you’ve tried different cleaning tricks, you probably know about the white vinegar and baking soda technique. For this, you only need to fill a small bowl or dish with white vinegar or baking soda and leave it on the countertop overnight. Feel free to leave it for as long as you like to let it absorb different unpleasant odors.

Set Aside Citrus Peels or Cinnamon Sticks

You can use citrus peels or cinnamon sticks to mask the smell of the fish while it cooks. The idea is to use it like a natural air freshener by keeping it nearby while you fry. Generally, it can help cover up the odor because it emits a strong smell of its own.

Wrap in Foil or Parchment Paper

Cooking your fish wrapped in foil or parchment paper is one way to contain the smell. Doing this also seals in the moisture, allowing you to keep them tender and perfectly cooked.

Be sure you season and add herbs before you close the wrap to really bring out the flavor and give it a better aroma while it cooks.

Prevent Fish Smell When Cooking for a Fresh Kitchen

Keeping your kitchen fresh doesn’t always require using cleaners or sprays. You should also understand the nature of the food you cook and how to counter any possible smells.

To prevent fish smell when cooking, there are lots of simple ways that use natural materials, allowing you to enjoy your meal at its best, flavor and smell-wise!