How To Clean Flounder: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Clean Flounder PDF download Download Article 17 Recipe Ratings Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

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  • Scaling the Flounder
    • |
  • Cutting Fillets
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 116,397 times.

Flounder are flatfish, usually caught in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Pacific Ocean and the Northern Atlantic Ocean. They make up many popular dishes, due to their low levels of fat and calories, and high protein content. In order to properly cook the flounder, you have to clean it first by scaling it, which removes the slime coating and outer scales. Then, you can quickly and easily fillet the fish.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Scaling the Flounder

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  1. Step 1 Lay the flounder on a flat surface and hold it firmly by the tail. 1 Lay the flounder on a flat surface and hold it firmly by the tail. Most healthy flounder are covered in a fine layer of clear slime which keeps them safe in the water. To remove this, you have to scale the flounder. Place the flounder on a clean, flat surface such as a cutting board. Place your non-dominant hand on the tail to hold it in place.[1]
    • Removing the scales can be business. If you’re worried about messing up the kitchen, place a layer of newspaper or a plastic bag over the cutting board for easier clean up.

    Warning: If the flounder’s slime coating is a milky white color, discard the fish immediately. This means that the meat has spoiled.

  2. Step 2 Scrape the back of a knife from the tail to the head. 2 Scrape the back of a knife from the tail to the head. Hold a knife with the blunt side flat on the flounder’s skin. Then, drag the knife along the skin until you reach the head of the fish. Repeat this motion, working from the tail to the head, until all of the slime and most of the scales have been removed.[2]
    • Remember to rinse off your knife as needed to remove excess slime and scales from the back of the blade.
    • If you have a fish scraper, you can use that instead of the back of a knife.
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  3. Step 3 Flip the fish over and scrape the other side. 3 Flip the fish over and scrape the other side. Once you’ve removed the scales and slime from one side, pick up the flounder and turn it over to expose the other side. Hold the tail again with your non-dominant hand, and scrape from the tail to the head with the back of the knife.[3]
    • Don’t worry about setting the fish on top of some of the scales that have flaked off. You’ll be rinsing the flounder after you scale it.
  4. Step 4 Rinse the flounder under cool running water to remove excess scales. 4 Rinse the flounder under cool running water to remove excess scales. Carefully transfer the fish to a sink and turn on the cool water. Be sure to clean both sides of the fish, and use your hands to rub the skin and remove any scales that may be stuck to the surface.[4]
    • The skin should feel clean, not slimy or slick. If it does feel slimy, try scaling both sides again to see if any additional slime collects on the knife.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Cutting Fillets

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  1. Step 1 Cut a vertical line behind the head from the top of the fish to the bottom. 1 Cut a vertical line behind the head from the top of the fish to the bottom. With a small, sharp knife, slice the fish through the skin just behind the head and past the side fin. The knife should reach the bones of the fish, but not cut through them. Do this on both sides of the fish, and then choose which side to start filleting.[5]
    • This vertical line will likely be somewhere near the gills, depending on the anatomy of the fish.
  2. Step 2 Score horizontally across the spine to the tail. 2 Score horizontally across the spine to the tail. Find the flounder backbone, which runs down the middle of the fish from the gills to the tail. Cut along this line, from the center of the gills to the tail. Follow the backbone while cutting.[6]
    • Remember that you should cut through the skin to the bone, but don’t press the knife through the bone.
  3. Step 3 Slice from the center of the spine to the fins, along the ribs. 3 Slice from the center of the spine to the fins, along the ribs. Insert the tip of the knife under the skin, along the backbone. Slice from the gill along the ribs to the tail. Continue cutting until the fillet is separated from the backbone, and leave the flesh attached on the outer edges of the carcass.[7]
    • You should be working from the center vertical line outward to the fin around the edge of the flounder’s body.
  4. Step 4 Peel the fillet upward as you cut through the meat. 4 Peel the fillet upward as you cut through the meat. While moving the knife, continue lifting the side of the fish that you’re cutting. Hold the meat of the fillet as you separate it from the bone, and peel it backward so that it’s only attached along the outer edges of the carcass.[8]
    • As you peel the fillet away from the carcass, you should be able to see the ribs and spine of the fish. If not, try cutting your fillet a little thicker next time.
  5. Step 5 Remove the fillet from the fins and turn the fish over to repeat the process. 5 Remove the fillet from the fins and turn the fish over to repeat the process. Cut along the outer edge of the carcass to remove the fillet. Then, turn the fish over and make the same incisions under the flesh and next to the backbone. Cut the fillets in the same manner on this side until you’ve made as many fillets as possible, which is usually 2-4.[9]

    Tip: If you want to remove the skin before cooking the fish, simply place the fillet with the skin facing up, and carefully insert the knife under the skin. Cut across the fillet until the skin is separated from the meat.

  6. Step 6 Rinse and chill the fillets immediately until you’re ready to cook them. 6 Rinse and chill the fillets immediately until you’re ready to cook them. Run the fillets under a steady stream of cool, running water to clean them off before storing. Then, place the meat in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook the meat. If you’re planning to cook the fish at a later date, it’s best to freeze it and thaw it before cooking.[10]
    • There are quite a few ways to prepare flounder, such as baking, grilling, or sauteing!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question What is the best way to minimize the mess made? Michele Michele Top Answerer Cleaning fish is a messy project. Keep a pail or plastic bag open to discard the fins, skin and entrails to minimize mess. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question How do I cook pan-fried whole flounder? Community Answer Community Answer See the wikiHow article, How to Cook Flounder. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 15
  • Question Can flounder be grilled? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, flounder tastes great grilled over hickory chips with seasoned salt and lemon. You can use cooking spray on the grates and quarter turn them to prevent the fish from sticking. Beware of inedible "arrowtooth flounder" that Wal-Mart sells - this fish turns to a tastless mush no matter what you do with it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 3
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Video

Tips

  • If you’re using fresh flounder, be sure to keep it on ice until you’re ready to clean it. Flounder can spoil if left at room temperature for too long. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Flounder

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-scale-a-fish
  2. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-scale-a-fish
  3. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-scale-a-fish
  4. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-scale-a-fish
  5. ↑ https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-fillet-a-flounder/
  6. ↑ https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-fillet-a-flounder/
  7. ↑ http://www.daybreakfishing.com/flounderfillet.html
  8. ↑ http://www.daybreakfishing.com/flounderfillet.html
  9. ↑ http://www.daybreakfishing.com/flounderfillet.html
More References (1)
  1. ↑ http://www.daybreakfishing.com/flounderfillet.html

About This Article

Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 116,397 times. 17 votes - 88% Co-authors: 4 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 116,397 Categories: Fish and Seafood Article SummaryX

To clean flounder, start by laying the flounder on a flat surface and scraping the back of a knife from the tail to the head to remove the slime and scales. Then, repeat on the other side of the fish, and rinse it off under cool water to remove any leftover scales. Next, cut a vertical line from the top of the fish to the bottom, right behind the head. Once you've done that, cut horizontally along the spine to the tail, and cut the fillet away from the spine and ribs. Finally, flip the flounder over and repeat on the other side. To learn how to store flounder fillets before cooking them, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef Co-authors: 4 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 116,397 88% of voters found this recipe helpful. 17 votes - 88% Click a star to add your vote

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Tag » How To Fillet A Flounder