Fish
Paralichthys dentatus
A tier
Paralichthys dentatus is summer flounder (fluke)—the large-mouthed left-eyed flounder of the US Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Flesh is white, mild, and medium-firm with large flakes, excellent for frying, broiling, and stuffing. Bigger fish yield thick fillets that hold a hot grill better than smaller flatfish. Pan-sear, deep-fry for classic shore dinners, or broil with lemon butter. Summer flounder is lean; baste or bread for moisture. Fresh fluke should be bright and firm—key for sushi-adjacent crudo only when handled to raw-safe standards.
Track this ingredient
Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
History
Indigenous Atlantic coastal peoples took summer flounder as a seasonal staple.
Mid-Atlantic fisheries built a commercial fluke industry.
Recreational and commercial summer flounder became tightly managed.
Stock assessments guided size limits and seasons for P. dentatus.