How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

Slice Around the Ribs

Slice around the ribs

Holly A. Heyser

Slip the knife blade underneath the ribs of the fish and slice upward, away from the backbone. Make sure your blade is in contact with the ribs at all times so you do not lose any meat. You may have to cut through pin bones as you go through the ribs; this is OK.

• Gather Your Tools
• Cut out the Bottom Fins
• Cut Toward the Tail
• Remove the Bottom Fins
• Slice Around the Ribs
• Free the Meat from the Backbone
• Snip the Tail End of the Backbone
• Lift Out the Backbone
• Snip the Head End of the Backbone
• A Finished Split Fish