There are many ways to cook and eat haddock, but one of the more popular options is simply to smoke it.
This adds a delicious and distinctive flavor that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Smoked haddock is commonly served with scrambled eggs, but it can also be used as a filling for fishcakes or added to the soup.
However, not everyone has the equipment required to smoke haddock.
For this reason, many people choose to purchase smoked haddock from a nearby supermarket.
While this provides an easy and convenient option, many cheaper supermarket options of smoked haddock contain many additives that can’t be seen from the packaging.
This means that it may not actually be as good for you as it first appears and certainly doesn’t taste as nice.
In cases like this, there is often a dilemma over whether to buy real smoked haddock online, buy a different kind of fish and smoke it yourself or simply purchase a cheaper variety from the supermarket.
While all these options can be perfectly good in their own way, this article will show you some of the best substitutes for smoked haddock.
What is Smoked Haddock?

Like many other fish types, haddock is a sea-dwelling creature that has been harvested by humans for centuries.
The people of Northern Europe have eaten smoked haddock for a long time, and it remains an important part of traditional cuisine today.
Smoked haddock can be served as part of the main course or a starter.
It is often served with boiled potatoes and creamy sauce, such as a tartar sauce or melted butter.
Smoked haddock is typically brined before smoked to give it that delicious flavor that we all know and love.
When cooked, the haddock’s flesh is dense and flaky.
This fish delivers a stronger taste than other types like cod and pollack.
If you’re looking for a unique flavor that stands out from the rest, Smoked Haddock is the way to go.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Smoked Haddock
Suppose you’re looking to modify your diet for personal reasons.
In that case, for health reasons or you simply don’t like the taste of smoked haddock, several alternatives will allow you to still enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal.
1 – Smoked Cod

If you love the taste of smoked haddock but don’t want to add too much heat, smoked cod is an excellent alternative.
Even though this fish does not have a strong flavor like haddock, it’s just as flaky and delicious.
The taste of cod is subtle but with that familiar fish flavor that you know and love.
This fish is commonly served with chips, which are made from potatoes.
When cooked, cod flakes easily and is surprisingly soft.
When smoked, the fish becomes tender and slightly oily.
It’s important to note that this type of fish tends to spoil quickly due to its high-fat content.
2 – Smoked Mackerel

If you’re looking for a fish that’s extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids, smoked mackerel is an excellent option.
Not only does this type of fish contain lots of healthy nutrients, but it also has a unique taste that you won’t find with other types of fish.
It also contains almost no mercury and is environmentally friendly, which is a fantastic way to decrease your carbon footprint.
Not only does this type of fish offer high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, but it also contains large amounts of vitamins A and D, as well as B12.
This variety of mackerel doesn’t have a strong flavor, so you can add it to many different meals without changing the taste very much.
The flesh of this type of fish is soft and delicate, so it’s important to learn how to cook it correctly; otherwise, you may end up with a flaky mess.
3 – Pacific Rockfish

If none of these fish types are available or too expensive, Pacific Rockfish is an excellent alternative.
This fish is readily available, and you can find it in most grocery stores.
This type of fish tastes like salmon but with a slightly stronger flavor, which makes it ideal for dishes that call for smoked haddock.
This type of fish should flake very easily and be immediately tender to the touch when cooked.
Rockfish has very few bones in its flesh, which makes it a very popular choice.
4 – Halibut

Halibut is a flatfish with a very mild, almost sweet flavor.
This fish is commonly cut into steaks and pan-fried.
If you’re looking to substitute haddock with halibut, it’s important to note that the former has a stronger flavor than the latter.
Since halibut is quite mild in flavor, it doesn’t taste like anything special.
To mask this flavorful fish’s natural taste, you can add any number of ingredients and seasonings to your dish.
When cooked, halibut becomes flaky and has a soft texture.
However, this fish is very delicate, and it’s best to cook it quickly.
5 – Pollock

Pollock is another whitefish that’s readily available in most grocery stores.
While this fish isn’t as common as cod or haddock, it does contain the same flaky texture and delicate flavor.
Since pollack doesn’t have a strong taste like smoked haddock, you can put it with just about any ingredient, and it will taste fine.
This fish has a subtle, delicate flavor that adds something special to any dish.
When cooked, pollack becomes flaky and soft.
It’s important to note that the skin is very tasty with most whitefish, pollack included, so it’s recommended you don’t remove it before cooking unless you don’t like the skin.
Conclusion
Smoked haddock is a common cooking ingredient that is most often used in seafood dishes.
While this fish does have a strong flavor, there are many alternatives available if smoked haddock isn’t available or too expensive.
If you’re looking for a substitute for haddock that contains all the same nutrients and has a similar texture, then Pacific Rockfish, Halibut, or Pollock are excellent choices.
If you’re looking for a substitute with a slightly stronger flavor, then Smoked Mackerel is the way to go.
Remember, all five of these substitutes can be found in most grocery stores, and this list was created based on customer popularity.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Smoked Haddock

Ingredients
- Smoked Cod
- Smoked Mackerel
- Pacific Rockfish
- Halibut
- Pollock
Instructions
- Pick your favorite substitute from the list above.
- Follow cooking directions for your selected substitute with the proper ratio of ingredients.