How to Grill Fish and Seafood Like a Pro

Grilling fish and seafood can be a delightful addition to your BBQ menu. As Bernard Michael Rochford, a former osteopath and BBQ enthusiast living in Brisbane, I’ve discovered that with the right techniques, you can achieve perfectly grilled fish and seafood every time. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you grill fish and seafood like a pro.

Choosing the Right Fish and Seafood

Best Fish for Grilling

• Salmon: Rich in flavor and fat, salmon is ideal for grilling as it holds together well.

• Tuna: Firm and meaty, tuna steaks are perfect for grilling.

• Mahi-Mahi: Mild flavor and firm texture make it great for the grill.

• Swordfish: Dense and meaty, excellent for grilling.

• Halibut: Lean with a firm texture, halibut grills beautifully.

Best Seafood for Grilling

• Shrimp: Quick to cook and perfect for skewers.

• Scallops: Sweet and tender, great for grilling.

• Lobster: A luxurious option that grills well.

• Oysters: Delicious when grilled in their shells.

• Squid: Quick-cooking and flavorful.

Preparing Fish and Seafood for the Grill

Cleaning and Prepping

• Clean Properly: Rinse fish and seafood under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

• Remove Bones: Check for and remove any bones from fish fillets.

• Shell On or Off: For shrimp and lobster, decide whether to grill with the shell on or off. Shell-on retains more moisture and flavor.

Marinating

• Simple Marinade: Use olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.

• Marinating Time: Marinate fish for 15-30 minutes and seafood for 15 minutes. Avoid over-marinating as the acid can break down the texture.

Seasoning

• Basic Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

• Herbs and Spices: Dill, parsley, thyme, paprika, and chili flakes enhance flavor.

Grilling Techniques

Preheating the Grill

• Clean Grates: Make sure your grill grates are clean to prevent sticking.

• Oil the Grates: Use a paper towel dipped in oil and tongs to oil the grates.

• Preheat: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 450°F or 190°C to 230°C).

Grilling Fish

• Direct Heat: Place fish directly over the heat source.

• Skin Side Down: Start grilling fish skin side down to get a crispy skin.

• Flipping: For delicate fish, avoid flipping. For firmer fish, flip once halfway through cooking.

• Cooking Time: Grill fish for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.

• Check for Doneness: Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.

Grilling Seafood

Shrimp

• Skewers: Thread shrimp onto skewers for easy grilling.

• Direct Heat: Grill shrimp over direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.

Scallops

• High Heat: Sear scallops over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until they have a golden crust.

• Spacing: Leave space between scallops to ensure even cooking.

Lobster

• Butterfly Lobster Tails: Cut the shell and pull the meat out to sit on top.

• Direct Heat: Grill flesh side down for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

• Baste with Butter: Brush with melted butter while grilling for added flavor.

Oysters

• In the Shell: Place oysters on the grill with the rounded side down.

• Cook Until Open: Grill until the shells open, about 5-7 minutes.

• Serve with Sauce: Top with a simple mignonette or hot sauce.

Squid

• Quick Cooking: Grill squid rings or tubes over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until charred and tender.

• Marinate Briefly: Marinate in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs before grilling.

Tips for Perfect Grilling

Avoid Overcooking

• Monitor Closely: Fish and seafood cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them.

• Use a Thermometer: Fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Prevent Sticking

• Oil the Grates: Always oil the grates before grilling.

• Use a Fish Basket: A fish basket can help prevent delicate fish from sticking and falling apart.

Enhance Flavor

• Baste with Marinade: Baste fish and seafood with leftover marinade during grilling.

• Add Citrus: Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice over grilled fish and seafood before serving.

Rest Before Serving

• Let It Rest: Allow fish and seafood to rest for a few minutes after grilling to let the juices redistribute.

Delicious Grilled Fish and Seafood Recipes

Grilled Lemon Herb Salmon

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Marinate: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Marinate salmon fillets for 15 minutes.

2. Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill salmon skin side down for 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

3. Serve: Garnish with extra dill and lemon slices.

Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1/4 cup melted butter

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Marinate: Combine melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Marinate shrimp for 15 minutes.

2. Skewer: Thread shrimp onto skewers.

3. Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.

4. Serve: Drizzle with remaining garlic butter and serve.

Grilled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter

Ingredients

• 4 lobster tails

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Lobster: Butterfly the lobster tails by cutting through the top shell and pulling the meat out to sit on top.

2. Herb Butter: Mix melted butter with parsley, chives, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

3. Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill lobster tails flesh side down for 4-5 minutes. Flip and baste with herb butter. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.

4. Serve: Drizzle with more herb butter before serving.

Conclusion

Grilling fish and seafood can be a delightful addition to your BBQ repertoire. By choosing the right types of fish and seafood, preparing them properly, and using the right grilling techniques, you can achieve delicious and perfectly grilled dishes every time. As Bernard Michael Rochford, I hope these tips and recipes help you grill fish and seafood like a pro. Happy grilling!