The Best Ways to Banish Lingering Fish Odors Once Dinner Is Done

It’s a tale as old as time: you cook a delicious pan of panko-crusted fish sticks or mouth-watering bean and fish tacos, only to have your home still smelling like seafood the following morning. It could make you want to hesitate the next time you’re in the mood for a fish dish. Luckily, our expert chefs share how they eliminate the pesky smell, so you can enjoy fish any time you like without its odor lingering.

Fresh Air In, Fish Air Out

Open the windows and turn on your kitchen fan ASAP, says Maricel Gentile, owner and chef at Maricel’s Kitchen. "Letting fresh air in and pushing cooking air out makes a big difference."

Note that if your hood only recirculates air instead of venting it outside, you may want to skip this step—circulating the air won't significantly reduce the smell.

Wear Protective Gear (Really)

Use disposable, food-safe gloves when handling fish, especially during prep. If you prefer bare hands, wash them with vinegar or rub them with lemon or any citrus to remove the odor. Also, it's all too easy to catch a splash when cooking fish. An apron will help prevent smells from spreading through fabrics and laundry.

Clean As You Go

The mess—and most of the smell—often starts before you even cook. “Prepping fish can spread odors on your counters, cutting boards, and even your hands,” Gentile warns. “Clean as you go and wipe everything down promptly.”

Foil or parchment also makes for easy cleanup. Cook fish in a covered pan or wrapped in parchment to help contain the smell. 

Use a Plastic Cutting Board

While Randhawa loves her wooden cutting boards for produce and bread, wooden boards can promote the possibility of bacteria growth and odors. So if you are cleaning or trimming fish yourself, use a dedicated plastic cutting board instead.

“When I cook fish or seafood, I always use a plastic cutting board so that I can put it in the dishwasher on sanitize mode,” says Randhawa. “Then I will run it that same night with all my other dishwasher-safe tools used to kill any possible smells that could linger.”

Remove All Trash

Whenever she cooks fish or seafood, Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef at The Forked Spoon, always makes sure to take the kitchen trash out immediately. “I want to get all the packaging materials and any shells, scales, or trimmings out of the house,” Randhawa explains.

"You might not smell it right away," she says, but if you delay this step, it's like a "fish-smell time bomb" in your sitting in your trash can.

Make a Simmer Pot

Gentile likes to simmer a small pot of water with lemon slices or ginger for ten minutes while she enjoys her dinner. “The steam helps clear the air and leaves a fresh, bright scent,” she says. Doing this beforehand can also absorb some of the odors while you're cooking.

Utilize Natural Cleaning Products

A splash of vinegar or lemon juice can work wonders in cutting through unpleasant smells. “These natural cleaners are simple and very effective for neutralizing odor,” Gentile says.

You can hand-wash used tools and serveware with a distilled white vinegar and dish soap solution, or add vinegar to a spray bottle and spritz countertops, stovetops, tables, and other surfaces that may have come in contact with the protein. “Do not forget the sink, because that is where odors often hide,” Gentile says. “Run a slice of lemon through your garbage disposal to freshen it.”

Try This Traditional Garlic Trick

Utilize another potent cooking smell to repel any other pleasant ones. "My 'Lola' would always set a small bowl of vinegar with garlic near the stove when frying fish,” explains Gentile. "It absorbed some of the smell and reminded us that cooking is both art and care for the home. The smell of vinegar still reminds me of her cooking."