Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (2024)

Published March 1, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This classic fish stock recipe comes together in under an hour and a half and is the perfect liquid for all your seafood recipes. You will love how quickly this comes together and the unique flavors it has.

If this is a new recipe to you and you are unsure what to cook it in, try it as the braising liquid in my Cioppino Recipe.

Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (1)

Fish Stock

Fish stock, also known as fish fumet and fumet de poisson, is a concentrated stock made from fish bones, vegetables, and herbs. It is commonly used in fish or shellfish-related dishes that call for braising, poaching, or boiling in liquid to enhance the flavor. This does not have an overly fishy flavor at all and can absolutely complement any of your seafood dishes.

Like my vegetable, chicken, or beef stock, this is a great recipe that can essentially be free if you save leftover vegetable scraps and fish bones. If you purchase whole fish and fillet it yourself, you’ve immediately got fish bones leftover, which you can then use to make fish stock.

Ingredients and Substitutions

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  • Fish Bones – Use white fish bones when making fish stock.
  • Mirepoix – I used a combination of yellow onions, celery, and carrots. You can also use white or sweet onion.
  • Herbs – Fresh thyme, parsley, and bay leaves add flavor to the fish fumet.
  • Lemon – 1 lemon will add some excellent clean acid to compliment the fish flavors.
  • Wine – I used chardonnay when deglazing the pot. You can also use sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.
  • Garlic – A few mashed garlic cloves add more flavor to the liquid.
  • Pepper – I used a couple of whole peppercorns for taste.

How to Make Fish Fumet from Scratch

Cut the vegetables into small dice, or slices

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Break down the fish bones. In many cases, they will come in whole and not fit in a pot. I prefer to cut them into 6” x 6” pieces using a cleaver.

Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (4)

Roast the vegetables in clarified butter over medium heat until lightly browned, which takes about 8 to 10 minutes.

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Add in the fish and sauté for 4 to 6 minutes. It will be hard to move the bones around but do the best you can.

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Next, deglaze with wine and cook until the amount of liquid I reduced by one-half.

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Place in the lemon, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

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Next, pour in the water until it has covered the bones by about 2 to 4 inches.

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Simmer over low to medium heat for 45 minutes. Be sure to regularly skim off any impurities that are on the top.

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Strain the fish fumet through a chinois or fine mesh strainer.

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Cool and store or use in a recipe.

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Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead:You can make this recipe up to 2 days ahead.

How to Store:Once cool, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating and using.

How to Reheat:Add the desired amount of fish fumet to a medium-size pot and heat over low heat until hot. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.

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CHEF NOTES + TIPS

  • If you use bones from salmon, it will have an overpowering salmon flavor.
  • Skimming the scumis when you use a spoon to remove the impurities from the vegetables and protein in the fish fumet and discard it. You do this every 20-30 minutes until the fish stock is done cooking.
  • You can also use any neutral-flavored oil in place of the clarified butter.
  • Substitute the fresh thyme with 1 teaspoon of dry thyme.

More Stock Recipes

  • Beef Stock
  • Chicken Stock
  • Vegetable Stock
  • Brodo

Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (14)

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Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet)

Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (15)

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This classic fish stock recipe comes together in under an hour and is the perfect liquid for all your seafood recipes.

Servings: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons clarified butter or neutral-flavored oil
  • 1 small diced yellow onion
  • 2 small diced carrots
  • 2 small diced ribs of celery
  • 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • 5 pounds white fish bones
  • 1 cup chardonnay wine
  • 1 lemon sliced in half
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 to 10 parsley sprigs
  • 2 thyme sprigs
  • ½ teaspoon peppercorns
  • 1 ¼ gallon water

Instructions

  • Cut the vegetables into small dices, or slices

  • Break down the fish bones. In a lot of cases, they will come in whole and will not fit in a pot. I prefer to cut them down into 6” x 6” pieces using a cleaver.

  • Roast the vegetables in clarified butter over medium heat until lightly browned, which takes about 8 to 10 minutes.

  • Add in the fish and sauté for 4 to 6 minutes. It will be hard to move the bones around but do the best you can.

  • Next, deglaze with wine and cook until the amount of liquid I reduced by one half.

  • Place in the lemon, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

  • Next, pour in the water until it has covered the bones by about 2 to 4 inches.

  • Simmer over low to medium heat for 45 minutes. Be sure to regularly skim off any impurities that are on the top.

  • Strain the fish fumet through a chinois or fine mesh strainer.

  • Cool and store or use in a recipe.

Notes

Make-Ahead:You can make this recipe up to 2 days ahead.

How to Store:Once cool, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating and using.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of fish fumet to a medium-size pot and heat over low heat until hot. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.

If you use bones from salmon, it will have an overpowering salmon flavor.

Skimming the scumis when you use a spoon to remove the impurities from the vegetables and protein in the fish fumet and discard it. You do this every 20-30 minutes until the fish stock is done cooking.

You can also use any neutral-flavored oil in place of the clarified butter.

Substitute the fresh thyme with 1 teaspoon of dry thyme.

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 29mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1769IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.3mg

Course: Soup, stock

Cuisine: French

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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2 comments

    • David Gaitley

    I have a large bag of shrimp tails, what do I do with them stock??

    • Reply
    • Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (16)

        bisque

        • Reply
    Fish Stock Recipe (Fish Fumet) (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the difference between fish stock and fumet? ›

    Although the terms fish stock and fumet are used interchangeably, they are slightly different in composition and preparation. A fumet uses only the frames from flatfish such as flounder and sole, is cooked only briefly, in 20 minutes, and contains wine.

    How do you make fume stock? ›

    In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, fennel, leek, celery, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until vegetables have softened slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in fish heads and bones. Add wine and cook, stirring, until it begins to steam.

    What is the main ingredient in a fumet stock? ›

    Fish fumet is a French-style concentrated fish stock that is made from white fish such as halibut, bream, or bass. The skin and bloodline are removed to keep the stock from becoming cloudy.

    Can a fumet be made with bones other than fish? ›

    Can a fumet be made with bones other than fish? Yes, they can be made with the shells of crustaceans like lobster or crab. 7.

    What is fish fumet used for? ›

    However it presents itself the fume is the basis for flavor in your soup, or sauce. As a complimentary ingredient in other recipes it can lend well to dishes such as pad thai or other recipes that fish stock is used to complement this flavor.

    What is a fish fumet? ›

    Fish fumet, often called the 'liquid gold' of culinary creations, is a rich and flavorful broth derived from simmering fish bones, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and spices. Distinct from fish stock, fish fumet is renowned for its concentrated essence, intense flavors, and delicate balance.

    What fish makes the best stock? ›

    The best fish bones to use for making fish stock are ones from mild, lean, white fish like halibut, cod, or flounder. As a general rule, you'll want to avoid salmon, trout, mackerel, or other oily, fatty fish since their strong flavor will likely overpower your finished dish.

    Is fumet a stock? ›

    Fish stock, also known as fish fumet and fumet de poisson, is a concentrated stock made from fish bones, vegetables, and herbs. It is commonly used in fish or shellfish-related dishes that call for braising, poaching, or boiling in liquid to enhance the flavor.

    Is fumet a type of stock? ›

    The French refer to fish stock as fumet, which commonly contains white wine and is reduced to concentrate the flavors. Stocks made from shellfish are also included in this category.

    What are the four 4 ingredients of a stock? ›

    Stocks are prepared with a few basic ingredients including bones, mirepoix, herbs and spices, and sometimes tomatoes or wine. They are often prepared using leftover ingredients as a cost-effective measure for the kitchen.

    What is a good substitute for fish stock? ›

    Straight from the bottle, clam juice is a perfectly suitable replacement for fish stock, or fumet, in any recipe.

    What is the formula for making fish stock or fumet 1 gallon? ›

    What is the formula for making fish stock or fumet, 1 gallon? 11lbs of fish bones, 4 oz of oil, 1 lbs of white mirepoix, 10 oz mushrooms, 31/2 qts water, 1 qt of white wine, 1 sachet, 2 Tbsp of salt 2.

    When making a fish broth it is best to use? ›

    You must only use the bones of white fish; bass, cod and flat fish are good to use. Bones of oily fish such as salmon, mackerel or tuna are too fatty and will make your stock greasy and unpleasant. The fish bones must be cleaned of any blood and gills as these will impart a nasty, bitter taste and cloud up your stock.

    What is fumet made of? ›

    And what I call homemade fish stock is what you call fish fumet, Joe: white-fleshed fish head/bones/skin cooked with aromatic vegetables and herbs, white wine and water.

    What is the difference between a fish stock and a fish fumet quizlet? ›

    However, when making a fumet, the bones are sweated before adding cold water and simmering. The sweating of the bones gives fumet a stronger flavor than a stock. An acidic ingredient, such as white wine or lemon juice, is also added to a fumet, making it more aromatic than a stock.

    What is another name for fish stock? ›

    Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks. Fish stock, also called fumét in French, is a magnificent base for making soups, chowders, seafood risotto, and any number of sauces.

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