en papillote

American  

[ahn pa-pee-yawt] / ɑ̃ pa piˈyɔt /

adjective

French Cooking.

1. (of meat or fish) in a wrapping of foil or oiled paper.

   fish baked en papillote.

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Etymology

Origin of en papillote

< French: literally, in parchment

Example Sentences

Knowing when the salmon is done is the only tricky part of en papillote preparations, but don’t stress: The fish’s fat helps guard against overcooking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Whether you call it packet cooking or en papillote, the method of wrapping fish in parchment with a splash of liquid, some aromatics and vegetables makes for a no-fuss but elegant meal.

From Washington Post • Jan. 9, 2023

Fish en papillote is incredibly pleasing to look at and to eat — both elegant and fun, a combination that should be much more prevalent in life in general.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2018

It has a more traditionally Continental style than the steak-centric Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, another classic just down the street, with forgotten dishes like duck flambé and seafood en papillote.

From Forbes • Sep. 8, 2014

Hair black, ill combed, and dishevelled, or knotted unbecomingly, or still worse, en papillote, and the whole person having an unwashed appearance.

From Journal of a Voyage to Brazil And Residence There During Part of the Years 1821, 1822, 1823 by Graham, Maria