Have you seen wild rockfish at Costco, and wondered if it is any good or how you are supposed to cook it? In this post, I'll cover what rockfish tastes like, how much it costs at Costco, and three easy ways to cook it - pan-fried, air-fried, and poached.
📋 What's New In This Post (1/13/26) - Added a table to compare the flavor of Rockfish to other types of fish.
A First-Time Try: Rockfish from Costco
I have visited different Costco stores across the country from California to Alabama. They offer different types of fish depending on where you are. If you are closer to the ocean you usually get more options.
When I spend some time in Utah, I didn't find the options were all that plentiful. One of the types of fish they had that I never tried was wild rockfish. So I brought a package home to try out a few different ways - lightly breaded & pan fried, air fried in foil, and poached for a fish chowder.
Below, you'll find my instructions for each method and I think you'll agree that rockfish is a surprisingly versatile fish.
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🐟 What is Rockfish?
Let me give you the basic rundown of what I know about Rockfish:
- There are multiple species that are classified as Rockfish. The name "Rockfish" comes from the fact that the fish prefer to hang out in rocks on the ocean floor.
- Sometimes you may see it in the store or restaurant as "Rock Cod" although it's not really cod. On the Oregon coast I saw this was common in places that sold fish and chips.
- The Rockfish I got at Costco was harvested in Canada. I don't know exactly where, but most likely off the coast of British Columbia. I think that due to proximity of the stores I have been shopping in out west.
- Rockfish comes into Costco fresh, not previously frozen.
👅 What Does Rockfish Taste Like?
Rockfish is a mild fish with medium sized flakes. To best describe Rockfish's taste and texture, I am going to compare it to other types of fish.
| Fish Comparison | How Rockfish Compares |
|---|---|
| Rockfish vs. Cod | Slightly stronger in flavor than cod, with a firmer texture and smaller flakes. |
| Rockfish vs. Salmon | Much milder in flavor and less oily than salmon. |
| Rockfish vs. Mahi Mahi | Milder and more delicate than mahi mahi. |
| Rockfish vs. Haddock | Very similar in flavor and texture; rockfish is often used as a substitute for haddock. |
💲 How Much Does it Cost at Costco?
The average price I have seen Wild Rockfish going at Costco has been around $6.49 a pound, making it one of the cheapest types of fish Costco sells. Tilapia is the same price. I think Rockfish is a better fish, so I would say out of all the fish Costco sells Rockfish is the best value.
Want to see how Rockfish prices compare to all the other fish at Costco? Read my post 27 Types of Fresh and Frozen Fish You May Find in a Costco store. Also see how I fit a purchase of Rockfish into my $100 Costco Monthly Meat Challenge.
🍳 Pan Fried Lightly Breaded Rockfish
For this recipe, I will show you how to pan-fry rockfish in a light flour dredge for a crispy exterior while the fish remains flaky inside.
This is pretty simple to do. You don't need a ton of fat. I use a mixture of oil and butter:
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (you can use a different oil too)
This doesn't sound like much but it worked perfectly well. You can dredge the fish into some flour before you pan fry to make a lightly breaded fish.
💡 Tip - Use Gold Medal Wondra Flour. It is a pre-steamed and dried flour. It will give your fish a beautiful, crispy sear.
I serve the fish with a mustard-dill sauce. You can find the recipe on my friend Christina's website, the Weekday Pescatarian.
🌬️ Air Fryer Rockfish in Foil
For this recipe, I will show you how to cook boldly seasoned rockfish in a foil packet in the air fryer.
Got an air fryer? It makes for a great place to cook Rockfish. Here is what you can do:
Place your fillets into a pouch made with heavy duty aluminum foil. Season the fish. My suggestions are:
- Dijon Mustard or Stone Ground Mustard
- Freshly chopped dill
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
- Garlic powder
You want to air fry for about 5 to 6 minutes at 400 degrees. Some people say when the fish flakes it's done. I prefer more precision. I cook the fish until it reaches at least 145 degrees in the thickest part of the fish.
Learn more about seasoning fish and what thermometers are best for cooking fish.
🥄 Poached Rockfish for Chowder
For this recipe, I will show you the method for poaching rockfish that you could either just eat as is, or add to a fish chowder.
I made an amazing fish chowder using Rockfish. I started by cooking some bacon in the Dutch oven. Then I added garlic and onions, which I cooked in the bacon fat that was rendered. Then add some water that you can load up with salt and spices. Herbs are good as well. I used dried thyme and ground bay leaves.
When you poach the fish:
- You want the water to just come up to the top of the fish without fully submerging it.
- You want to simmer the fish, not rapid boil, for 4-5 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees in the fattest part of the fish.
You can then serve it with that bacon on top. You could use it for fish tacos. Or do what I did and set the fish aside while you make a fish chowder.
For a good fish chowder recipe, check out the blog, Bowl of Delicious. I based what I made off hers.
To thicken my chowder:
- I pureed some of the cooked potatoes in a mixing bowl with my immersion blender until they were like mashed potato paste.
- Then I stir that in for the perfect texture.
I topped it off with some fresh dill and crumbled up bacon. Both optional, but very delicious!
What method for cooking rockfish do you want to try first? Leave a comment below and share.
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