Pan Fried Arctic Char with Spicy Bomba Sauce

Healthy, flavourful, and satisfying, this simple pan-fried Arctic char recipe is one you’ll want to keep making again and again. A mild fish, the taste of Arctic char falls somewhere between trout and salmon. The fattiness of this fish lends itself well to cooking and remains moist and delicious. It has a delicate skin that crisps up beautifully, especially when cooked skin side down. 

Farm Boy™ Arctic Char is vacuum-sealed and frozen for maximum freshness and packaged with no preservatives and the skin still on. With three fillets per package, there’s enough for the whole family to enjoy! The recipe below for pan-fried Arctic char utilizes our Spicy Bomba, a spicy pepper spread. Handcrafted in southern Italy with locally sourced ingredients, it uses Calabrian chili peppers to pack some delicious heat. 

Arctic Char Side Dishes 

Transform this protein into a full, balanced meal with an easy side dish. Some of our favourites to pair with Arctic char are: 

Rice: Hearty and satisfying, a simple side of seasoned rice is an excellent accompaniment to this pan-fried Arctic char. It can also help to neutralize a spicy bite. If you’re crunched for time, our Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa cooks in only one minute! 

Spinach: A heart-healthy green, spinach is a natural side for fish. For a quick and easy option, sauté spinach with garlic, olive oil, and a spritz of lemon juice until the spinach is just beginning to wilt. At Farm Boy stores, you’ll find spinach that arrives bright and early from the markets to give you the best quality and longest shelf life at an excellent value. 

Mashed Potatoes: Is there any time when mashed potatoes aren’t delicious? The spud-filled side is a little bit of indulgence that can temper the heat of this pan-fried Arctic char recipe. If you don’t have time to whip up a batch yourself, you can always visit our Chef’s Market, where we offer creamy mashed potatoes made in-house. 

Wine Pairings for Arctic Char 

A medium-firm fish like Arctic char pairs best with an equally medium-bodied wine. Generally speaking, fish goes best with a white wine, as red can overwhelm their delicate nature. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and Arctic char actually goes quite well with lighter reds. Some of our wine recommendations for this recipe are: 

Sauvignon Blanc: Arctic char’s rich texture means it can hold up well with most whites. A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc can help elevate this fish’s mild flavour and cut through any oiliness. 

Chardonnay: Avoid any buttery or over-oaked Chardonnays, as they may overwhelm the Arctic char. Choose a light- to medium-oaked Chardonnay for the best balance. 

Pinot Noir: Red wine isn’t usually paired with fish, but since this recipe sees Arctic char fillets get a hearty dose of spicy bomba sauce, we think it can handle it. Opt for a light pinot noir with spicy, zesty notes to complement the fish.