McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is made primarily from white, mild-tasting fish, most commonly wild-caught Alaska pollock in the United States, with some variation by country.

What kind of fish is Filet-O-Fish?

  • In the United States , the patty is a battered, fried fillet made from wild-caught Alaska pollock , sourced from fisheries marketed as sustainable.
  • In other markets, McDonald’s may use hoki, pollock, or cod-type white fish , depending on regional supply and preferences.
  • It is a square, formed patty made from processed fillets (not a single uncut steak), which is why the shape does not look like a natural fish fillet.

Mini breakdown: why Alaska pollock?

  • Alaska pollock is a mild, white fish that holds together well when breaded and fried, making it suitable for fast-food sandwiches.
  • It is widely used in processed seafood products (including many fish sticks and imitation crab), which keeps costs relatively low while allowing large-scale, consistent supply.

Variations around the world

  • Some regions mix or swap in hoki or similar white fish (for example, New Zealand and parts of Europe) while keeping the same basic bun–cheese–tartar formula.
  • In places like China, Taiwan, or Spain, versions of the Filet-O-Fish may be marketed as cod-based sandwiches, though they are still in the same mild white-fish family.

Bottom line: when people ask “what kind of fish is Filet-O-Fish,” the answer today is usually Alaska pollock , but historically and globally it has also involved other similar white fish like hoki and cod-style fish.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.