Christmas Fried Carp

In this classic recipe, carp is lightly coated in batter and fried until golden. It’s finished off with a big spritz of lemon and served both hot or cold. There’s no Polish Christmas Eve without this dish.

If you think you don’t like carp, then somebody didn’t do something right. Many people give up eating carp because of its muddy aftertaste. Luckily, there’s a trick to get rid of it, and I’ll show you how.

For the full list of ingredients & detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. But before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know below.

Carp seems to suffer from a bad reputation. In some countries (especially in North America and Australia) it’s even considered… a pest. 

In Poland, carp rose to fame under the Communist regime. It was inexpensive and easy to farm, making it a perfect fish to cover the gaps in food supply. Today, carp is rarely consumed outside of the festive period.

Not a fan of fried fish? There’s another popular Christmas dish called a “Jewish-style Carp”: a sweet stuffed fish, covered in firm carp aspic. We’ll cook it next time :)

Do you need any special ingredients to make this Fried Carp?

Most of the ingredients should be easy to get in any store, except the star of the show: a fresh common carp. It’s sold whole or cut into fillets / steaks. 

Ideally, fresh carp should be prepared on the day of purchase. The sooner it is cooked and eaten, the better.

🇵🇱 In Poland, you’ll find fresh carp at nearly all fishmongers and in major supermarkets (especially in the time leading to Christmas). 

Look for the best ones: ‘Karp Zatorski’, ‘Karp Milicki’ and carp from Opole Lubelskie.

🌍 Internationally, ask at your local fishmongers first. If that fails, call up a Polish deli. Alternatively, it’s worth enquiring at the Asian markets – in many Asian cultures, carp is considered a delicacy, so there’s a chance you’ll find it there. Asian carp is just as tasty as the European species.

What could you serve with Fried Carp?

In Poland, Fried Carp is traditionally served at the Christmas Eve dinner; alongside other meat-free dishes.

Fried Carp pairs beautifully with horseradish-based sauces. Classic tartar sauce works well too. It’s worth serving the dish with some fresh lemon wedges, so that your guests can turn the acidity up if they wish.

Beverage-wise, a dry or semi-dry white wine is a good choice.

Can you make this Fried Carp another way?

Yes, there are a few things you could do differently.

Sometimes, carp can have that specific, muddy smell and flavour. To get rid of it, there are a few ways to marinade the fish, ideally the night before frying it. 

Some chefs recommend marinating carp in chopped onions; others prefer milk with chopped garlic. In this recipe, we’re doing the former.

In terms of batter, you can swap it for something else and coat the fish with ground nuts (especially almonds or walnuts) and other types of flour (e.g. corn)

What diets is this Carp dish suitable for?

This Fried Carp is suitable for pescatarians. If you would like to make this dish gluten-free as well, swap the flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free alternative.

How long can you keep this Fried Carp in the fridge?

Carp tastes best at its freshest. Once served, don’t keep it on the table for longer than 4 hours.

If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid.  You can keep leftover Fried Carp in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you need more time to consume it, read more below.

Can I freeze this Fried Carp?

Fried Carp can be frozen, but it is worth noting that after defrosting it won’t be as tasty. 

Here’s a much better idea to preserve this fish dish. Prepare a quick marinade consisting of hot water, vinegar, spices, sugar and veggies of your choice. If you need the exact proportions, use this Pickled Herring recipe. Place the carp pieces in a jar and pour over the hot marinade.

How do I reheat this Fried Carp?

This Fried Carp can be served cold – but if you prefer it warm, here’s how.

From chilled: Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). Place the fried fish pieces on a baking tray, oven-proof dish works too. Cover it with aluminum foil, that will prevent the fish from drying out. Bake for 10-15 minutes until hot throughout. 

Avoid microwaving this dish. The fish will turn gummy. 

From frozen: Allow the carp to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then proceed by reheating it in the oven, as per instructions above.

Smacznego!

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Pronunciation & More

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