Copycat McDonald’s Filet O Fish Sandwich

A true fast food style fish sandwich with crispy battered white fish, soft steamed buns, melty American cheese, and a simple tartar sauce that tastes like the classic

Yield: 4 sandwiches
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Special Equipment: Large Skillet

Ingredients

• 4 mild white fish fillets pollock cod or haddock about 4 ounces each

• 1 cup all purpose flour

• 1 cup cold club soda or cold water

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika optional

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• Oil for frying vegetable or canola heated to 350°F

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or relish

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon pickle juice or more to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon finely minced onion optional

• 4 hamburger buns

• 4 slices American cheese

• Butter optional

Directions

1. Prep fish: pat fillets dry and trim to roughly 4 by 4 inches if needed.

2. Mix batter: whisk flour baking powder sugar salt and paprika then stir in cold club soda until smooth and thin like pancake batter and refrigerate.

3. Heat oil: bring oil to 350°F in a deep skillet or pot.

4. Coat fish: dust fillets lightly with cornstarch and shake off excess.

5. Fry fish: dip fillets in batter let excess drip and fry 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crisp then transfer to a wire rack.

6. Steam buns: microwave buns wrapped in a damp paper towel for 10 to 15 seconds or steam for 30 seconds until soft not toasted.

7. Make sauce: mix mayonnaise pickles lemon juice pickle juice sugar and onion and chill at least 15 minutes.

8. Assemble sandwich: place a slice of American cheese on the bottom bun add hot fried fish spoon tartar sauce on top add the top bun and rest 1 minute so the cheese softens.