40 Grilled Fish Recipes That Might Be Even Better Than Burgers (2024)

What burgers?

By Camille Lowder
40 Grilled Fish Recipes That Might Be Even Better Than Burgers (1)

If you're the type of person who only thinks of putting burgers and hot dogs, maybe some BBQ ribs or grilled vegetables, on your grill—we've got a treat for you. Imagine this: a gorgeous, citrusy, delicate fish or shellfish grilling alongside those classics. From shrimp and scallops to salmon and cod, with everything from lobster to swordfish in between, literally anything goes when it comes to grilling seafood—check out our list of 40 recipes for ideas!

Well… not anything. There are a few hard and fast rules that will help your grilled seafood come out its absolute best—learn from our trials and errors and don’t skip them. The hardest part about grilling fish is making sure the flaky skin doesn’t stick to your grill. A couple tips: First, thoroughly oil your grill grates with a rag or paper towel soaked in vegetable oil (use one with a high smoke point, check out our guide to cooking oils for more info) before adding the fish. Next, make sure you’re cooking at a high heat (400º to 450º), and once your fish is on the grill, don’t touch it until the skin is crispy.

Been burned by stuck grilled seafood before, and don't want to risk it this year? We understand, but don’t let that stop you from having seafood at your BBQ. All you need is a roll of tin foil or some fruit (!!) to save the day. You can wrap pretty much anything in a foil pack and lose the risk of anything falling through the grates of your grill. Best part? You can also cook veggies in there too, like in our grilled honey-chipotle salmon foil packets, our grilled shrimp foil packets, or our foil pack grilled salmon with lemony asparagus. Craving a savory-sweet vibe? Try pairing your grilled fish with some lemon or pineapple, like we did in our grilled red snapper, our , or our grilled lemon butter salmon. Warning: after these, you might never want your fish without fruit again.

Want more grill inspiration? Check out our fave grilled veggies, our top grilled fruit, and our best-ever weeknight dinners on the grill too.

1

Mahi Mahi Tacos

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Being a meaty, tender fish, mahi mahi stands up well to the grill and is even better when marinated. Throw the fish on a tortilla with some spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa, and you'll have an amazing summer taco night.

Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.

2

Surf 'n' Turf Foil Packs

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Not sure about cook time? Feel free to take a peek! The shrimp should be pink and opaque and the steak—depending on how you like it—should be slightly pink in the very middle. Do open the packs carefully and slowly, exercising caution to avoid the steam trapped within!

Get the Surf 'n' Turf Foil Packs recipe.

3

Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowl

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Long live the pineapple bowl. Not only is it a super-cute and fun way to serve dinner, but it also guarantees that whatever you’re about to eat is going to be loaded with plenty of fresh, delicious pineapple. In this case, we’ve got jerk marinated shrimp, sweet peppers, and a sweet and spicy glaze that will make you want to lick your plate clean.

Get the .

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4

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

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Like our sheet pan shrimp boil, this recipe cuts down on the production, but not the flavor! Foil packs turn a shrimp boil into individual parties that are so easy to throw onto the grill. It's everything you love with way less work.

Get the Shrimp Boil Foil Packets recipe.

5

Grilled Lobster Tails

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Lobster tail is kinda expensive, and therefore seems pretty fancy. Don't be intimidated though, it's actually incredibly simple to make! This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is a great dinner to make for a special occasion. The herb butter is PERFECT.

Get the Grilled Lobster Tails recipe.

6

Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets

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Grilling fish can be intimidating, but with foil packs, there's no need to stress. Rather than worry about the fish sticking to the grates or flipping the flaky flesh, you'll fold the salmon up in tin foil instead. It's not just fish inside, either—there's a medley of zucchini and yellow summer squash with a smoky honey-chipotle sauce. 😍

Get the Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets recipe.

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7

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

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The best part about this recipe? The sweet and spicy sauce doubles as a marinade and a glaze—don't forget to reserve some for basting the shrimp while it's on the grill!

Get the Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe.

8

Grilled Octopus

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Maybe you've tried your hand at calamari and want to branch out, or perhaps you've tried grilled octopus on vacation and wanted to bring a piece of the Mediterranean home with you. Whatever the reason, making grilled octopus is so much easier than you might think and is worth trying at home.

Get the Grilled Octopus recipe.

9

Greek Salmon Burgers

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Pureeing the salmon fillet with egg to make these Greek-inspired burgers isn’t the sexiest process, but it’s key in helping these patties hold together. Trust us, it's worth it (that, and the tangy feta-yogurt sauce!).

Get the Greek Salmon Burgers recipe.

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10

Grilled Swordfish with Hazelnut Miso Sauce

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These swordfish steaks, shallots, and radishes are simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. After a quick-ish grill, they are dressed with a nutty, salty, sweet, and umami-packed hazelnut miso sauce that will blow your mind.

Get the Grilled Swordfish with Hazelnut Miso Sauce recipe.

11

Grilled Tuna Steak With Scallion Sauce

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Those who say that good things take time have clearly never grilled a tuna steak—once the grill is preheated, they only take around 5 minutes! Serve them topped with our grilled scallion sauce over greens or brown rice for the perfect light summer meal.

Get the Grilled Tuna Steak With Scallion Sauce recipe.

12

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw

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There are no extraneous ingredients in these tacos—once you grab shrimp, you've probably got almost everything to make these already! We left the tails on the shrimp for grilling, but feel free to take them off.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw recipe.

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13

Grilled Oysters

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Grilling not only makes oysters easier to shuck and serve—the heat loosens the shell, meaning you just need to gently pop off the lid—it also heightens their briny flavor and imparts a subtly smoky char. For these, you'll dollop a bit of kimchi butter onto each opened oyster and return them to the grill until the butter melts and mixes with the oyster liquid. Truly, they're heaven.

Get the Grilled Oysters recipe.

14

Grilled Fish Tacos

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The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. But the real gem of this recipe is the red cabbage slaw—don't skip it. It takes just a few minutes to toss together, and its brightness is the perfect condiment to the spiced cod.

Get the Perfect Fish Tacos recipe.

15

Shrimp, Broccoli, & Rice Foil Packs

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Turns out you CAN make rice on the grill—using instant rice and quick-cooking shrimp and broccoli means you can enjoy all your favorite stir-fry flavors, outdoors!

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16

Cedar Plank Salmon

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Using a cedar plank is the most foolproof (and delicious!) way to grill salmon. To prevent burning, the planks need to be soaked for at least 2 hours in water. While the planks soak, you'll quick-cure the salmon with a to-die-for mixture of brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Yum!

Get the Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.

17

Honey-Lime Tilapia & Corn Foil Pack

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Cooking fish in these foil packs is a total cinch. Using foil over the grill means your fish stays in one tender piece throughout the cooking process, until it meets your fork. With a simple drizzle of honey, lime, and corn, you have all the sweet-tart freshness of summer in one neat little package.

Get the .

18

Grilled Red Snapper

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If you're really paranoid about this gorgeous red fish sticking to your grill, make sure to cook over high heat and don't touch the snapper until its skin is crispy. You could also cook over a few slices of lemon or onion to provide a protective layer. Not only will this ensure no stuck bits, but it will also add some flavor to your fish.

Get the Grilled Red Snapper recipe.

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19

Grilled Ahi Tuna With Lemony Labneh

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Labneh is a Middle Eastern strained yogurt that’s creamy, tangy, and thicker than Greek yogurt. It’s rich and luscious, so it takes kindly to basically anything grilled and charred, like the ahi tuna and broccolini here.

Get the Grilled Ahi Tuna With Lemony Labneh recipe.

20

Grilled Scallops

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Cooking scallops might seem fancy or intimidating, but they're extremely easy to make at home. Though you typically see scallops pan-seared—and they're obviously delicious that way—grilling scallops adds a different dimension of flavor and a slight smokiness you'll love.

Get the Grilled Scallops recipe.

40 Grilled Fish Recipes That Might Be Even Better Than Burgers (2024)

FAQs

What kind of fish is best for grilling? ›

What Fish to Grill. Salmon and firm, thick white fish like sea bass, red snapper, grouper and halibut are the best types of fish to grill because they are hearty. If you would like to grill thin, delicate fish, it is best to wrap them in foil instead of using this method.

What is the best fish to grill whole? ›

Fish That Can Take the Heat
  1. Salmon. Salmon has a bright, fresh flavor that's perfect for grilling. ...
  2. Tuna. It's often overlooked, but tuna, high in both protein and healthy fat, is an excellent choice for grilling. ...
  3. Shrimp. ...
  4. Whole Trout. ...
  5. Mahimahi. ...
  6. Snapper.

What is the best oil for grilling fish? ›

It is far better to use an oil with a high smoke point when cooking at very high temperatures. The oil with the highest smoke point is avocado oil, but it can be expensive. More affordable alternatives are canola, corn, and vegetable oil.

What do you soak fish in before grilling? ›

Olive Oil, Lemon, & Herbs Marinade

How To Do It: Combine ½ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon), and fresh herbs (such as cilantro, basil, rosemary, or thyme) removed from the stems and loosely chopped. Brush the marinade on the fish and let sit for about 5 minutes before cooking.

What fish does not fall apart on the grill? ›

Certain types of fish make better choices than others, and some more delicate fillets just aren't suited for grilling at all. Firm, hearty fish like salmon, swordfish, tuna, snapper, and mahi mahi holds up great on the grill.

Which type of fish is not suitable for the grill? ›

Any fish that's delicate or extremely flaky -- cod, haddock, flounder, hake, sea bass, tilapia, pollock, etc. -- is going to fail miserably on the grill for a couple of reasons. The first is just based on simple physics: If a fish falls apart easily, it's going to fall apart on the grill and go directly into the coals.

What fish is the healthiest to eat? ›

The top 10 healthy fish to include in your diet:
  1. Salmon. Salmon is versatile and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential as the body cannot make it on its own so it must be obtained through food. ...
  2. Mackerel. ...
  3. Cod. ...
  4. Trout. ...
  5. Sardines. ...
  6. Crab. ...
  7. Haddock. ...
  8. Tuna.
Mar 27, 2023

Is it better to grill fish in foil or on the grill? ›

It's easy: Have no fear of your prized perch sticking to hot grill grates. Take the gamble out of grilling fish by making a foil basket instead. It's quick: The foil conducts heat and helps to steam fish in just minutes. It holds up: Delicate, flaky fillets can't stand up against many forms of cooking.

Should I put oil on fish before grilling? ›

Brush the Fish with Oil

To help seal in some of the natural moisture, pat the fish dry and coat it with vegetable or olive oil. This is particularly important for firm-fleshed fish like salmon, halibut, or tuna, which can go directly on to the grate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or other seasonings as desired.

Should I oil my grill grates before cooking? ›

Oil your grates right before placing food on them and after each use for best cooking results. There are several ways to oil your grates, depending on whether they're hot or cold. Wipe It On: When the grill is cool, coat all surfaces of your grates with a bunched up paper towel that is coated, but not saturated in oil.

What is the best oil to season a grill? ›

The Best Oil to Use

Seasoning your grates involves using very high heat, so it's important to use the right type of oil. Most grill manufacturers recommend canola or peanut oil because they have a smoke point over 450° F. You can also use vegetable oil, sunflower oil or avocado oil.

What fish to grill on gas BBQ? ›

Fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, and swordfish, whose texture is more like beef or pork, should be grilled directly on the grate. (More delicate fish, such as tilapia, sole, and flounder, sometimes fare better when grilled in a foil packet or grill basket.)

What is the best non fishy fish to grill? ›

Tilapia – tilapia is arguably the mildest tasting fish there is. It's not fishy at all and has a mild sweetness. Tilapia is easy to prepare and goes well with a variety of different flavor profiles. Cod – cod has a mild flavor that's slightly sweet like tilapia.

How do you keep fish from sticking to the grill? ›

She recommends just oiling the fish, using olive or grapeseed oil to promote caramelization and prevent sticking. (We tried both methods and found that, if the grill grate is properly cleaned, oiling the fish alone did the trick. But we also found that lightly oiling the grate did not cause any major issues.)

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