Recipe for Fried Pejerrey: Crispy Sea Delight on Your Table

Enjoy some exquisite Chilean pejerrey fried, coated in a mixture of flour and carbonated liquid (water or beer), which, accompanied by french fries, is a classic throughout the country.

How to Prepare Breaded Pejerrey?

This recipe offers the versatility of using carbonated water or light blonde beer (with or without alcohol) to enhance the flavors and achieve that extra touch of crispiness that makes them irresistible.

Fried Pejerrey Recipe

Preparation: 45 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 kg of fish fillet
• 1 cup of flour
• 150 ml of beer or water
• Oil for frying
• Merkén
• Spices (complete seasoning)
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Clean the pejerrey, removing the head and opening them lengthwise, carefully remove the backbone and bones, cut the fins, and scrape the scales. Wash, drain, and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift the flour and whisk it with a fork while adding the beer. Add salt, pepper, a pinch of complete seasoning, and merkén, mixing until you obtain a semi-thick and homogeneous texture. Set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a deep pot or skillet over high heat, to about 180°C (356°F), coat the pejerrey in the mixture until completely covered, and gently immerse them in the hot oil.
4. Fry for 1 or 2 minutes until golden brown. Remove and place on absorbent paper. Serve with freshly cut lemon wedges and, optionally, as a main dish with white rice, french fries, or Chilean salad.

How to Clean Pejerrey?

Nutritional Information

Fried pejerrey provides high biological value proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, phosphorus, selenium, and B-complex vitamins, essential for energy metabolism and brain health. Additionally, its content of antioxidants like selenium helps reduce oxidative stress, benefiting the immune and cardiovascular systems.

Did You Know?

The term «pejerrey» comes directly from the medieval word «pejerrey,» literally composed of the words peje-reí or pejerey (king’s fish).