What Kitchen Shears Can (And Can't) Do When Cutting Fish, According To An Expert - Tasting Table

"You've got a pair of kitchen shears, a versatile kitchen tool that doesn't get nearly enough use with food, and a whole fish before you to prepare. So now what? Well, fret not because we've spoken to an expert to walk us through how to use kitchen shears to cut a fish, making the entire process a whole lot less intimidating."

"DiGregorio understands that home cooks often "feel safer using shears rather than knives" to cut fish into smaller pieces and that there are reasons why you should be using kitchen shears more often when you cook. That said, he reveals he honestly prefers using kitchen shears to cut other seafood. "For me, shears are better than knives when sectioning crab or lobster," he says, "although I've seen both used.""

"If you want precise cuts of fish, don't use your kitchen shears. DiGregorio feels knives tend to be more versatile and accurate. "You can use knives to delicately bone shad or to break down large tuna, and everything in between," he says. "The cuts are more precise and cleaner than what shears can achieve, and if needed, you can also remove scales, fins, and guts with a knife as well.""

Kitchen shears cannot fillet fish but are mainly used to cut away fins and, on smaller fish, remove gills, open the stomach cavity, and remove organs. Home cooks often feel safer using shears to cut fish into smaller pieces, and shears can be preferable when sectioning crab or lobster. Knives deliver greater versatility and accuracy for delicate tasks such as bony work, breaking down large fish, and producing cleaner, more precise cuts. Knives can also remove scales, fins, guts, and pin bones when needed. Shears are useful in a pinch, but investing in a good knife is recommended for precise fish preparation.

Read at Tasting Table