Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1137 · Shorshe Ilish

Shorshe Ilish, and where to source it

Shorshe Ilish — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Shorshe Ilish Indian 5best2buy.com

Grind the mustard seeds with a pinch of salt and the green chilies, then soak the paste 15 minutes and strain it — raw or over-ground mustard turns viciously bitter, and salt during grinding is what holds that back.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook20 min
MakesServes 4
CuisineIndian
Cost$$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
hilsa (ilish) steaks
500 g
6 steaks
Local / market
yellow mustard seeds
3 tbsp
45 ml
Local / market
black mustard seeds
1 tbsp
15 ml
Local / market
green chilies
6
6 slit
Local / market
ground turmeric
1 tsp
5 ml
Local / market
mustard oil
5 tbsp
75 ml
Local / market
salt
to taste
1 tsp
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Rub the steaks with 1/2 tsp turmeric and salt; rest 15 min. Grind both mustards with a pinch of salt and 3 chilies to a fine paste, soak in 200 ml water 15 min, then strain out the husk.20 min
  2. Heat 3 tbsp mustard oil to smoking, then cool slightly. Add the strained mustard liquid, remaining turmeric, salt and the rest of the slit chilies; simmer 3 min.5 min
  3. Slide in the fish in a single layer. Cover and cook on low 8–10 min, spooning gravy over, never stirring hard.10 min
  4. Pour the remaining 2 tbsp raw mustard oil over the top, cover, rest 2 min off heat. Serve with plain steamed rice.3 min
The Toolkit

Heavy-bottomed kadai or wide pan · Stone or blender grinder · Fine strainer

Straight Answers
Can you make Shorshe Ilish in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Shorshe Ilish? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Shorshe Ilish ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Shorshe Ilish gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Shorshe Ilish vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Indian recipes
Kosha MangshoUndhiyuKhaman DhoklaMeen MoileeAvialAppam
All Indian recipes →  ·  Browse all 1285 →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1137