Grilling is one of the best ways to prepare freshly caught whole fish. This tasty fish is seasoned with garlic oil, grilled until perfectly flaky, and finished with herbs and charred lemon juice.
Total carbs 5g, net carbs 4g
Grilling is a simple way to prepare any whole fish and unlike pan-frying, a grill can easily accommodate larger fish.
Ingredients you'll need
whole fish
This recipe is for fish that are about 1 pound each. I used porgies here.
kosher or sea salt and black pepper
The course texture of kosher or sea salt is best for grilling.
olive oil
You can use any neutral flavored oil, but I like olive oil for added flavor.
garlic
Fresh crushed cloves of garlic is the best, but if you don't have any on hand you can substitute with garlic powder. Don't use garlic salt, it will make the fish too salty.
lemons
fresh herbs
A handful of fresh herbs not only adds a burst of flavor, but also adds a boost of vitamins and minerals to a meal.
seasoning spices (optional)
You can also use seasoning spices like Cajun spice or a sprinkle of paprika.
Equipment you’ll need
You'll need a grill and a fish spatula. If you don’t have a grill, no worries. Pre-heat an oven to 450°F and roast fish for 10-15 minutes, longer if the fish is larger.
How to select fish 🐟
At the fish market look for:
- Eyes 👀 that are crystal clear, plump, moist, bulging, and bright. Don’t buy fish if the eyes are sunken or cloudy.
- Gills that are clean and bright pink or red. Gills should not be slimy or dark and bloody.
- Fins should be wet and whole.
- Flesh should be wet, slippery and resilient when 👉🏼 poked. No visible ice or blood.
- Scent 👃🏼 should be mild, not fishy or bad. Life tip 😉 don’t eat food that smells bad to you.
These are all indicators that the fish is fresh. Ask the fish monger to clean it for you by removing the scales and guts and rinsing it with fresh water.
If you need help figuring out which fish are safe and sustainable to eat, seafoodwatch.org is a great resource for navigating seafood choices.
How do you grill fish (for beginners)?
Use a whole fish. Have the fish monger clean the fish. When you are ready to cook rinse the fish in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. If the fish is slippery to handle, use a paper towel to hold it in place while you make slits through the flesh from top fin to bottom fin, about an inch apart. This helps the flesh cook evenly. Season the fish and brush it with oil. Grill over medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes on one side. Do not move the fish until the cook time for the first side is done. Carefully flip over fish with a fish spatula. Cook another 5-8 minutes on the other side until the flesh flakes away easily.
Serving suggestions
Serve with charred lemons for squeezing. This dish is great with grilled garlic bread and a refreshing side salad. I like a good palate cleansing fennel and orange salad, myself. You can also serve this with grilled vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
You can grill any type of fish. The best fish for cooking directly on the grill are firm fleshed fish that won't fall apart. Great choices for grilling whole are branzino, porgy, seabass, and snapper.
Grill for 5-8 minutes per side or until flesh flakes away from the bone.
Simple salt and pepper. Add garlic and fresh chopped herbs. Try parsley, oregano, mint, basil, cilantro, dill, tarragon, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme depending on your tastes.
Grilled whole fish
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 2 whole fish 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
Grilling is one of the best ways to prepare freshly caught whole fish. This tasty fish is seasoned with garlic oil, grilled until perfectly flaky, and finished with herbs and charred lemon juice.
Ingredients
- 2 whole fish about 1 pound each
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, crushed (1 teaspoon of garlic powder is okay too.)
- 2 lemons, halved
- ¼ cup fresh herbs, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a grill for grilling over direct medium-high heat with lid.
- Rinse fish in cold tap water. Pat dry with paper towels, pat the insides dry too. Use a knife to make slits about an inch apart through the flesh from top fin to bottom fin. Cut at a slight slant so that you can make deeper cuts, stop at the back bone. This will help the flesh to cook evenly.
- Sprinkle both sides of each fish with salt and pepper.
- Combine olive oil with garlic. Brush both sides of fish with garlic oil.
- Place cut sides of lemons on the grill.
- Grill fish for 5 minutes on each side, covered with lid. Check if fish is done by inserting a fork into a slit and gently prying the flesh away. If the flesh flakes away easily, it is done. If not, cover and cook another minute or two.
- Serve with grilled lemon halves. Sprinkle with herbs. Squeeze juice from grilled lemons over fish before eating.
Notes
This recipe lists approximate cook times for 1 pound whole fish. If you grill larger fish, then add more cook time. Test for doneness by inserting a fork into the flesh gently prying. If the flesh flakes away easily, it is done. If not, cover and cook another minute or two and test again.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
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