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Do you love to grill, but worry about grilling seafood? Learn how to grill fish, get grilling tips and tricks, and find out what the best type of grilling is for the fish you’re cooking.
Whenever I share a grilled fish recipe, I can feel some of you shrinking away from the recipe on your phone screens.
Why?
You probably already know.
Fish can be delicate.
Fish can be expensive.
Fish can stick to the grill, or fall apart and meet a tragic end in the red-hot coals.
And so, I’m here today to help you learn how to grill fish without fear!
We’ll review the main ways that you can cook fish on the grill, which type of fish works best for each technique, and (of course) check out some recipe ideas.
How to Grill Fish Directly on the Grill
Cooking directly on the grill gives the fish gorgeous char markings, and requires almost no special equipment (other than the grill).
This technique is best for fatty or oily fish (like sockeye salmon or king salmon), sturdy fish (like ahi tuna or swordfish), large sides of fish or whole fish, fish steaks or collars
Make sure to preheat the grill, clean the grill grates and brush with oil, and let the fish come to room temperature before cooking.
Try it: Make this grilled swordfish with tangy rosé wine mayonnaise from Platings + Pairings
Here are a few of my favorite recipes for grilling fish directly on the grill!
How to Grill Fish in a Fish Grilling Basket
Grilling fish in a fish grilling basket (or a fish grill) is the perfect way to protect delicate or expensive fillets from sticking to the grill or falling through the grill grate.
Just like with grilling directly on the grill, fish baskets create charred markings on the fish.
This technique is best for delicate fish (like tilapia and flounder), lean fish (like halibut and cod), expensive fish (like king salmon), and small fish that could fall through the grill grate.
Make sure to preheat the grilling basket (along with the grill) before adding the fish, and either buy a fish basket with an insulated handle or use a heat-proof glove.
How to Grill Fish in Foil Packets
Grilling fish inside foil packets is a simple way to protect your fish, achieve an evenly cooked fish, and seal in moisture.
This method achieves a smoky flavor, but does not give the fish charred grill markings.
This technique works well with almost any type of fish!
Make sure to set a timer when you’re cooking. Since you can’t see the fish, it’s harder to know when it’s finished by sight.
Use a high-quality foil. Some budget-friendly foils are very thin, and may not hold up on the grill.
Try it: Make this easy grilled salmon in foil from the Cookin’ Canuk.
How to Grill Fish on a Cedar Plank
Grilling fish on a cedar grilling plank is a perfect way to add a smoky, cedar flavor to your fish.
It also provides a barrier between your fish and the grill, preventing the fish from sticking to the grill.
Buying cedar planks can get pricey, so this method is best reserved for high-quality, large pieces of fish.
This technique is especially perfect for large sides of salmon.
Make sure to soak the cedar wood for 2 hours before adding the fish and grilling
Try it: Make this cedar plank salmon with lime and sriracha glaze from Killing Thyme.
How to Grill Shellfish Directly on the Grill
Shellfish that are still in the shell have a natural protection from the heat of the grill. Add shell-on shellfish directly to the grill for an easy, low maintenance grilling technique.
This works best with any shell-on shellfish that is large enough to set on the grill without falling through the grate.
Mollusks (like clams, oysters, and mussels) typically pop open when heated. Remove the shellfish from the heat when it opens, and take care not to spill the juices.
Crustaceans (like lobster, crab, and crawfish) are sometimes split open before grilling. Brush any exposed fish with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Try it: Try grilled lobster tails with bourbon sauce, or this grilled king crab salad with avocado dressing.
Serves 4 as Main Dish, 6-8 as a Side Dish
How to Grill Fish + Shellfish on Skewers
Grilling fish and shellfish on grilling skewers is an easy way to grill small pieces of fish or small shellfish. The skewer allows you to flip the seafood easily and quickly.
Try this with small shellfish with soft or partial shells (like shrimp), shellfish with the shell removed (like shell-off sea scallops), thick fish cut into cubes for kabobs.
Wooden grilling skewers should be soaked for 30 minutes prior to grilling
Metal grilling skewers will become very hot. Use ones with insulated handles, or use a heat-proof glove.
How to Grill Fish on a Cast Iron Skillet
Another fantastic grilling option is to use a cast iron skillet directly on the grill. This allows you to mimic stovetop cooking but achieve a delicious, smoky flavor.
I especially like Lodge’s 12″ cast iron skillet.
This works with any fish!
Make sure to allow mollusks to cook thoroughly and pop open on their own.
Preheat the pan on the grill before adding fish to achieve a seared, caramelized fish.
Use a heat-proof grilling glove or pot holder when moving the pan
Try it: Make these Cast Iron Roasted Clams from Epicurious
Omg GUILTY. I usually just leave it to my husband but what great tips! You’re inspired me to take the grilling reins for our next fish dinner!
Wow! What a thorough and useful post! I never knew there were so many ways to grill fish before. My husband is a big fan of making cedar planked salmon, but I’ve never even thought to use a cast iron skillet. Now I’m thawing out fish for dinner.
Really, really great tips. I absolutely love grilling fish, because of the wonderful smoke flavor that is infused into the fish. but you are right, I’m intimidated by flaking falling-into-the coals disasters. This helps a lot, and the recipes are to die for. Time to fire up the grill!! Thanks for the inspiration.
I rarely grill fish… I wouldn’t say I’m afraid to, but it does seem like there are different rules to follow. Will have to try some of these recipes so I can get more confident with grilling seafood!
You are right, grilling fish can be intimidating. I absolutely love fish and seafood so I truly appreciate the detailed post explaining the best methods and techniques for cooking it o the grill. Great information for sure!
What a great guide for fish…. I printed it out and put it on the fridge becasue were going camping/fishing next month for our summer vacation. Im going to use all of those grilling tips!
Oh I’m so happy that it’s helpful for you!! Have a wonderful camping trip!
WELP, I’m hungry. Great collection of recipes, and wonderful tips! An odd but interesting tip that I’ve seen mentioned a few times but have yet to try myself involves rubbing the grill with raw potato. Not sure why it’s supposed to help keep fish from sticking, but apparently it works well. Very glad you covered so much here (including shellfish) – it’s a great resource to have!
That is an odd trick! Maybe it puts some starch on the grill and protects the fish. I’ll have to try it!
This is an amazing article! So much wealth of information! For example, I did not know that you need to preheat the wire fish basket but it makes sense. Also, I didn’t know that you could even grill mollusks directly on the grill. I am definitely saving this to refer all throughout the summer!
Yeah…you’re talking to me. Not much intimidates me when it comes to cooking, but fish on the grill sure does. You breaking down the types of fish best suited to each method is extremely helpful.
We grill lots of fish. In fact, we eat fish several times a week and Hubby is a fisherman. You have lots of good information for those who aren’t familiar with cooking or grilling seafood. We love trying new varieties too.
Grilled fish is absolutely the best! This post was so thorough and helpful and I’m totally bookmarking it as a reference for grilling this summer! Thank you!
I haven’t actually tried grilling fish yet. However, now that it’s almost summer, I’m looking forward to firing up the grill and throwing some fish on it so this post is super helpful. I’ll also have to try your recipe for grilling scallops too!
This is such a helpful guide!! I love cooking (and eating) fish but I am always too much of a wuss to do it on the grill. I foresee a lot more fish at our summer cook outs 🙂