Skate

Fish

Skate

Skate (and closely related rays) yield wing “fillets” of striated muscle over cartilage, not a conventional backbone. Cooked correctly, the flesh slips off in long, scallop-like strands with a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Like shark, poorly handled skate develops an ammonia smell from urea breakdown—fresh wings should smell of the sea only. Classic French skate with brown butter and capers (raie au beurre noir) remains the reference dish; poaching, roasting, and frying also work. Remove or cook past the cartilage; many fishmongers sell skinned, prepared wings. Choose firm, translucent flesh and cook the day you buy when possible.

Track this ingredient

Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedChilledCuredDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedMincedPickledRoastedSaltedSlicedSmokedSteamedWhole

Provenance

ASC CertifiedDay BoatFree SwumHand FilletedHook and LineLine-CaughtMSC CertifiedOrganicPole-CaughtResponsibly SourcedSeasonalSustainable

Sources

AquacultureIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

DelicateFirmLeanMildMoistPale

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 138

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 4.67 g
  • Saturated Fat 1.01 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 2.01 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 1.91 g
  • Cholesterol 51.8 mg
  • Sodium 76.5 mg
  • Salt 0.19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 20.9 g
  • Water 72.8 g
Detailed nutrients

Fish flesh is lean to oily depending on species; marine omega-3s rise in fatty fish.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Skate.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

Coastal and river fishing for skate and related species supplied essential protein long before agriculture spread globally.

Salting, drying, smoking, and fermenting extended the shelf life of skate and enabled long-distance trade.

Ice preservation and railway transport brought fresh skate to inland cities beyond fishing ports.

Industrial freezing, aquaculture, and global logistics made skate widely available in international markets.

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