Grilling is one of the best ways you can cook fish if you want to create a crispy crust on the outside of the fish that covers the tender meat inside which has been cooked in its own juices making it a delicious treat to taste.
There’s something about putting a thick fish steak directly over your grill’s fire that makes its flavor stand out and highlights the taste of its juices.
Some people like to accompany their grilled fish with sauces to compliment the taste, but not even the most expensive sauce can rival the natural delicious flavor of a well grilled fish.
Don't be mistaken, however - Grilling fish is an art that takes time to develop, and even the best grill masters find themselves puzzled on how to grill fish for the first time. This is because fish has a tendency to overcook and stick to the grill, which makes it significantly more difficult than grilling red meat.
The problem with grilling fish is that it is such a delicate meat that it can fall apart very easily if handled without proper care, and it’s so tender that its juices can evaporate quickly if not turned at the appropriate time.
That being said, here are a few tips on how to grill fish successfully!
Tip #1: Don’t Take Off The Skin
Skinning your fish works fine with other cooking methods like baking, where you don’t need to be flipping it, but when you are grilling you want the fish to keep together in one piece and the skin does the perfect job of stopping the fish from falling apart when you flip it.
Not only does it help to keep your fish together, but you are also killing two birds with the same stone because the skin of the fish is less likely to stick to your grill than the meat.
It can also do wonders for the flavor!
Fish that has thinner skin, like Trout and Mackerel, are great to eat with the skin-on since it becomes deliciously crispy when its cooked, but if the fish has thicker skin, like Tuna, you may get better results removing the skin, and grilling it over intensely high heat until there is just a light (1/32") sear on each side. For a high quality Tuna, the inside should still be cool. Other fish with skin on, including the creme-d’la-creme Copper River pacific salmon should never be turned over at all.
Tip #2: Prepare Your Grill Grate
You'll want to make sure that your grill is as clean as possible and free from any juices of meat that you have cooked before.
Turn your grill to its highest temperature and cover it with aluminum foil for 10 to 15 minutes. This will ensure that any debris left on your grate will dissolve and fall off of it leaving your grill clean and ready to cook your fish.
After you’re done heating your grill, use a stiff-wire grill brush (like the ones here!) to remove the aluminum foil from the grate and then oil your grate with paper towels.
If you’re going to grill different types of meats it’s always better to start with your fish so that your grate is as clean as possible.
Tip # 3: Prepare Your Fish
Preparing your fish to be grilled is fairly easy and requires little effort.
Once you take your fish from the fridge use a soft brush (like the one found in our Essentials Grill Tool Set) to apply oil on both sides of your fish and use season with Coarse Salt and Cracked Black Peppercorns.
Grilling larger pieces is the best way to get good results on the grill but if you have smaller pieces such as fillets, then you may want to put your fish inside foil packets which you can also fill with sliced veggies and herbs to give it additional flavor.
Don’t forget to cover the foil with your favorite oil both inside and out to stop it from sticking and give it flavor.
Tip #4: Keep Your Grate Well Oiled
Oils are your natural allies when it comes to stopping fish from sticking to your grate.
You must apply oil to your grate every time you add a new piece of fish to the fire to make sure that it won’t stick. But more than just a method to stop it from sticking, oiling also gives you a great opportunity to add new flavors to your fish by using interesting flavors on your grate.
Butter, Olive Oil, Garlic Oil, and Lemon Oil are just some of the options available that you can use that will not only keep your fish in one piece and separated from your grill, but they will also add new interesting flavors to your fish as the flavor of the oil changes with the temperature.
Some may find this step a little tedious and time consuming, however.
A great solution to this is to invest in a non-stick grill mat. Grill mats are a great way to keep food from sticking to the grill and preventing flare-ups when grilling.
Tip #5: Let It Be
Leaving the fish alone while it cooks is one of the simplest yet usually neglected pieces of advice you can take.
Many people freak out at the thought of the fish overcooking and flip it before it’s done. Once you have added your fish to the grill you must close the lid and leave it alone.
The time it takes for them to be done depends on the thickness of the pieces, with 4 to 5 minutes per side for each inch of fish being the usual time.
Over-flipping will only stop the sides from cooking properly so you want to leave it undisturbed as much as possible. If it doesn’t come off easily when you are going to flip it just let it cook a bit longer and check it every 30 seconds until it’s ready.
*Pro Tips:
# 1. Remember to put your fish on the grill diagonally so that it makes it easier for you to flip and remove.
# 2. When using a grill mat, keep temperatures at or below 500 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal performance.
That's it!
As always, Happy Grilling!
Grillaholics Grill Tools Set
Just like a painter needs his BRUSHES, a grill master needs his TOOLS... The Grillaholics 4-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Tools Set includes a set of bbq grilling tongs, a barbecue meat fork, silicone basting brush, and grilling spatula that features a built-in bottle opener that's perfect for tailgating and backyard parties.
WARNING: Spatula includes a serrated edge for tenderizing and cutting your meat. While this is razor sharp, it should not be used as a weapon in battle. You've been warned.
Grillaholics Non Stick Grill Mat
Are you tired of LOSING your food to the grill?
Its FRUSTRATING! Tugging at that perfectly marinated chicken breast that sits ruined and stuck to your grill. How about the spears of asparagus falling through the cracks? NEVER AGAIN!
The Grillaholics Grill Mat will change the way you grill! Never BBQ on a nasty, dirty grill grate again. Our bbq grill mat keeps your food from falling between the grates or sticking to the grill, and allows for evenly grill food every time!
In no time, you'll be grilling like a pro.
Grillaholics Essentials Steel Grill Brush
Grilling is an art. And when you’ve mastered that art…your friends triple in numbers. Just like a painter needs a fresh canvas, a true Grillaholic needs a clean grill surface.
Get rid of years of build up with this perfect companion for your grill.
With the Grillaholics Grill Brush, you'll never BBQ on a nasty, dirty grill grate again. Our long, heavy duty, stainless steel grill brush keeps your grill grates spotless, free from the leftovers from whatever you just barbecued yesterday!
In no time, you'll be grilling like a pro.