Best Grilled Whole Fish Recipes

GRILLED WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct-heat grilling over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, drizzle cavity of each fish with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season generously with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Aromatics help keep whole fish moist while grilling. Stuff 1 fish cavity with lemon slices and dill and the other with lime slices, basil, and Thai chiles. If using just 1 filling, double amounts called for.
• Fasten each opening with a wooden skewer or toothpicks that have been soaked in water so they don't burn. This keeps the aromatics inside and also makes fish easier to handle on the grill.
• Using a paring knife, make long, 1/4-inch-deep diagonal slashes at 2-inch intervals on both sides of fish so they cook evenly throughout. This also allows any seasonings on skin (see step 5) to penetrate.
• Rub both sides of each fish with remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper, working all into slashes as well as heads and tails -- both are edible, and the tail becomes delightfully crisp when grilled.
• Brush hot grill with vegetable oil; immediately place fish on grill. Cook, undisturbed and uncovered, until undersides are charred and flesh along gills on undersides turns opaque, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Turn fish with 2 large spatulas. If they stick, wait a few seconds until skin sears enough to release cleanly. Grill on other side until charred and fish are just cooked through and opaque, 5 to 7 minutes more.
• Serve fish with lemon and lime wedges and more herbs. To serve, cut fillet free from top side of fish and remove with a spatula. Remove bones to free other fillet.

ROASTED OR GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Rinse fish with cool water and pat dry. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Tuck thyme, rosemary and parsley sprigs in cavity of each fish. Add fennel fronds, basil leaves and lemon slices. Drizzle olive oil on both sides of fish, then place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Leave at room temperature. (May season and refrigerate fish up to 2 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before cooking.) Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Make the vinaigrette: Put shallot in a small serving bowl. Add vinegar and a good pinch of salt. Leave to steep 5 minutes, then whisk in olive oil. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper and spoon them into the olive oil mixture. Add basil and stir gently. Leave at room temperature.
• Place fish on top shelf of oven and roast, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until fish is firm when probed and flakes at the thickest part. Take from oven and let rest 5 minutes. To serve, use a small knife, soup spoon and spatula to remove top fillets. Pull spine away to reveal bottom fillets. Transfer fillets to a platter or individual plates. Spoon a little tomato vinaigrette over each portion and pass the rest at the table.
• Alternatively, if you are grilling the fish, prepare a bed of hot coals. Make sure the grill is cleaned with a wire brush and lightly oiled. Lay the fish directly on the grill and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Do not attempt to turn fish until the skin has browned and crisped or it will stick. Carefully turn fish and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, until fish is firm when probed and flakes at the thickest part. To serve, proceed as in Step 3.

WHOLE FRIED FISH WITH GRILLED LIME, CILANTRO AND GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the limes cut-side down and cook until deeply charred, 5 to 8 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, soy sauce and fish sauce. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
• Add the frying oil to a cast-iron skillet large enough so the oil comes no more than halfway up the skillet sides. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the jalapeno and 2-inch piece ginger to the oil.
• Place the fish on a cutting board and pat dry with paper towels. Make slashes crosswise on a diagonal along the body of the fish every 2 inches on both sides, cutting all the way down to the bone. Season the fish generously inside and out with salt. Mix together the rice flour, coriander, lime zest and 1 tablespoon salt in a shallow bowl. Dredge the fish in the seasoned rice flour.
• When the oil is 350 degrees F, grip a fish firmly by the tail and carefully lower head-first into the skillet, making sure to lay it down away from you. Repeat with the other fish. Fry until the flesh on the bottom side is cooked through and the skin is deeply browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. While the fish are frying, baste the inside of the heads with hot oil periodically.
• Use tongs and a fish spatula to carefully turn both fish over. Fry until the flesh on the second side is cooked through and the skin is deeply browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and season both sides with more salt.
• To serve: Place both fish on a platter. Spoon the ginger vinaigrette over the top and around the fish. Garnish with cilantro and scallions and place the grilled limes around the edges.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH, GREEK-STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• Rinse the fish well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the fish all over inside and out with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush each fish generously with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and place directly on the grill. Cook, turning occasionally and coating with more olive oil if necessary, until flesh flakes easily and fish is cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Place fish on a platter. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine remaining olive oil with the lemon juice, parsley, and oregano. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve fish drizzled with the olive oil-lemon mixture.

EASY GRILLED WHOLE FISH RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Rinse fish inside and out with cold water, pat dry with paper towel.
• Stuff cavity with salt, pepper, lemon, parsley, or any favorite herbs or spices.
• Drizzle skin with olive oil. Place in a loose pouch of heavy duty aluminum foil and splash with white wine. Roll the foil shut so that liquid or air can't escape but leave a space between the top of the fish and the top of the foil pouch.
• Cook on medium-high grill for 12-18 minutes depending on size of the fish.
• Enjoy!

GRILLED WHOLE MEDITERRANEAN FISH WITH AGED SHERRY-VINEGAR-TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the fish on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Fill the cavities of both fish with orange slices, tarragon and parsley and place on the grill. Grill the fish for 6 to 7 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill, place on a platter and drizzle immediately with the Sherry Vinegar-Tarragon Vinaigrette.
• Combine vinegar, shallot, mustard, tarragon, and salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until emulsified. Adjust seasoning.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH ROASTED TOMATO-CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Line heavy large skillet with foil. Place tomatoes and chiles in skillet; cook over medium-high heat until skins begin to blister and blacken in spots, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes for tomatoes and 10 minutes for chiles. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Peel tomatoes; transfer to processor. Add chiles, onion, and garlic. Blend until coarse puree forms. Transfer sauce to bowl. Stir in cilantro, parsley, and salt. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For fish:
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Rinse fish inside and out with cold water; pat dry. Open fish flat, like a book. Rub fish inside and out with oil; sprinkle inside with oregano, salt, and pepper. If grilling, place fish, opened flat, in grill basket. If broiling, place fish, opened flat, on oiled rimmed baking sheet. Grill or broil fish just until opaque in center, about 6 minutes per side.
• Using spatula, transfer fish to platter. Sprinkle with lime juice; serve with tomato sauce and warm corn tortillas.

WHOLE GRILLED FISH WITH LIME

Steps:

• Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Score fish: Cut 1 slash lengthwise down to the bone, then crosswise in 2 places, spacing apart; repeat on other side. Season fish cavity and skin with salt; drizzle fish with 1/4 cup oil. Stuff some of the lime slices (reserve a few for garnish) and herb stems inside fish.
• Clean and oil grill grate well. Grill fish, resisting the urge to turn it, until skin is nicely crisp and charred and flesh is flaky and opaque down to the bone. (This can take 6-15 minutes, depending on size of fish. Don't mess around with it until it's ready.) Place a metal spatula underneath fish (a pair of metal tongs on top of fish also helps for support), then lift and gently roll over to the other side. Cook until flesh is flaky and opaque down to the bone, 6-15 minutes. Use a small knife to check for doneness; if it slides easily through the thickest part of flesh, fish is done. If not, finish cooking fish on grill or in a 450°F oven.
• Place fish on a serving platter; drizzle oil and lime juice over. Garnish with reserved lime slices, basil leaves, and cilantro.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH LEMON AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking, or build a fire and burn down wood until only red coals and gray ash remain.
• Rub a thin film of oil over cavities and skins of fish. Generously season all over (including cavities) with salt and pepper. Divide half of lemon rounds and thyme sprigs evenly between cavities. Secure cavities with skewers.
• Place fish in a grill basket; scatter remaining lemon rounds, halved lemons, and thyme around them. Place basket on grill grate and cook, turning once, until fish are charred in places and just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes, depending on size. Fillet fish and cut into portions. Serve with grilled lemon halves and dressing.

GRILLED JERK RUBBED WHOLE FISH WITH HOT VINEGAR (ESCOVITCH) SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high. Combine all of the spices in a medium bowl. Set aside half of the spice rub in an airtight container for another use; store at room temperature for up to 6 months.
• Rub both sides of the fish with the remaining half of the spice rub. Grill on both sides for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. Remove from the grill and immediately pour the Escovitch sauce over the fish and serve.
• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat on the grates of the grill or on a burner. Simmer for a couple minutes and then pour over the fish.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH LEMON EMULSION

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium heat.
• Working with one fish at a time, use a sharp boning knife, to make a slight incision at the top of the dorsal fin just below the head. Continue making a slight incision, pushing the knife against the bone all the way down the spine and stopping just above the tail. The head and tail should remain intact. Turn fish over and repeat process on opposite side.
• Lay each fish parallel and make an incision from the top base of the head, scoring right down behind the gill. Repeat process on tail end. Turn fish and repeat on opposite side.
• Brush fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper outside and inside the cavity. Lay fish inside a grilling basket and close. Place in basket or place fish, skin-side down, on grill and cook, moving occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until skin is charred and crispy and flesh is opaque, 10 to 12 minutes more.
• Serve whole, garnished with chives and oregano and served with emulsion, or serve filleted by removing head and tail and reserve to use with fish. Using a thin knife, remove the rear of the dorsal fin, starting from where the base of the head was all the way to the tail, and place the knife at the base where the head was, lifting up the center bone. Once fish is opened, remove center bone using the knife or a small fork, remove bones from where the ribs would be, one at a time. Check to make sure all bones are removed.
• Arrange fish opened and butterflied on serving plate, drizzled with emulsion and garnished with chives and oregano. Place head and tail at either end of the fish to give the appearance of a whole fish.

WHOLE GRILLED PARROT FISH

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• Place a large piece of aluminum foil on a flat surface. Place 1 ti leaf on top, followed by the fish. Sprinkle both sides of the fish with salt.
• Mix together the mayonnaise and pesto in a small bowl until smooth. Smother the mayonnaise mixture all over the fish, getting into all the scores. Combine the sausage, garlic, mushrooms, green onions and yellow onions and stuff the mixture into the fish scores, flipping and stuffing into the other side as well. Top the fish with the second ti leaf, and then another piece of aluminum foil, tightly wrapping it all up to form a pouch.
• Grill the fish for 30 to 40 minutes. Carefully unwrap the foil and serve family-style, garnishing with the reserved green onions.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH, GREEN TOMATO AND HERB VINAIGRETTE AND CHARRED LEMON

Steps:

• For the green tomato and herb vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, green tomatoes, mint, parsley, tarragon, yuzu juice, rice vinegar, shallots and garlic. Mix well. Set aside.
• For the charred lemons: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Set the lemon halves cut-side down on the grill. Cook, undisturbed, until charred, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• For the grilled fish: Rub the fish with the lemon zest and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and charred and the flesh is flaky and opaque, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to dinner plates. Serve each with a charred lemon half and a small bowl of vinaigrette on the side.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH IN CHILE, GARLIC AND MINT SAUCE (A KREMEZI)

Steps:

• Mix together the first 5 ingredients (chiles through olive oil).
• Season with a little salt, mix, then taste (the sauce should taste hot) and re-season as needed.
• Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours for the flavors to marry. (Note: prep time below only includes 30 minutes for this step).
• Light a charcoal grill or preheat a broiler.
• Salt the fish inside and out and place on an oiled grill about 5 inches from the heat source. Broil or grill, turning once, until done, about 15 minutes (I use the 10 minutes per inch of maximal thickness rule).
• Remove from the heat, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Mix the sauce with the chopped tomato.
• You may serve the fish in one of two ways.
• Present the fish whole, with the sauce on the side. OR
• Cut the fish and place the two fillets, skin side down, on a heat-proof platter. Pour half the sauce over the fillets, sprinkle with black pepper and place under a very hot broiler for 15-20 seconds (just enough to warm the sauce). Sprinkle with parsley.
• Serve the fish (whether whole or as fillets) and pass the sauce (if the fish is left whole) or the remaining sauce (if the fillets are being served) separately.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH IN CHILE, GARLIC AND MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix chiles, garlic, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Add a little salt; mix thoroughly; then taste and adjust the seasonings. The sauce should be hot. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
• Light a charcoal grill or preheat a broiler. Salt the fish inside and out and place on a well-oiled grill about 5 inches from the heat. Broil or grill, turning once, until firm and almost done, about 15 minutes total. Remove from heat and cover with foil. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Mix sauce with the chopped tomato. Serve the fish with the sauce on the side, or cut the fish open, remove the central bone, and transfer the fillets to a heat-proof platter. Pour half the sauce over the fish, sprinkle with some pepper, and place under a very hot broiler for a few seconds before serving, sprinkled with the parsley. Pass the rest of the sauce separately.0.

GRILLED PANCETTA WRAPPED WHOLE FISH WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Rinse fish and pat dry. Season to taste inside and out. Place fresh herbs inside cavity of fish. Lightly oil both sides of fish. Wrap seasoned, oiled fish with pancetta that is thinly sliced and unrolled. Wrap fish loosely with the pancetta leaving head and tail exposed.
• Set fish in center of cooking grate. Cover grill. Cook until opaque, but still moist in thickest part (10 to 15 minutes). Turn once during cooking. Remove from grill. Peel off top layer of skin. Slide fish onto platter. To serve slide a wide metal spatula between flesh and bones, and lift out each portion.

WHOLE GRILLED FIESTA FISH

Steps:

• Add the cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, orange zest, lime zest, lemon zest, grapefruit zest, orange juice, oil, lime juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, agave, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper to a large re-sealable plastic bag and mix well.
• Add the fish and turn to coat, allowing the marinade to get inside the fish as well. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes, flip over and refrigerate 15 minutes more.
• Preheat the grill to a low heat setting. Using a paper towel, rub the grill grates liberally with the canola oil 7 to 10 times.
• Remove the fish from the marinade and stuff the cavity with the lemon slices, if using, and a couple tablespoons of the marinade and place on the hot grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, carefully turn over using a fish spatula and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is flaky.
• While the fish is cooking, place the lemon halves cut-side down on the grill until lightly charred.
• Remove from the grill and cut the meat from the bones. Serve the fish with grilled lemons squeezed over top.

THAI WHOLE GRILLED FISH WITH SWEET & SOUR GLAZE

Steps:

• Score each side of the fish with 3-4 small shallow cuts.
• Combine all marinade ingredients and marinate the fish for at least an hour or up to overnight.
• Prepare the glaze: Place the oil and garlic in a small saucepan, place on medium heat.
• Simmer until garlic begins to turn golden.
• Strain and let cool.
• In another small pot, combine sugar and vinegar, bring to a boil, and simmer for one minute.
• Add fish sauce, ginger, bell pepper, chili paste, and 3 Tbsp of the garlic oil.
• Cook together for 3-5 minutes until sauce reduces slightly.
• Making sure your grill is clean and well-lubricated with plenty of vegetable oil (or using a specially designed fish grilling basket), grill fish over medium heat, approximately 7 minutes per side or until flesh is just opaque at the bone.
• Plate fish and spoon sauce over each fish.
• One small fish is a perfect entrée for one person, share larger fish between two people.
• Serves 4.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH FOUR PEPPER-GINGER SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce:
• Place the vinegar, sugar, habanero and ginger in a medium saucepan and cook over high heat until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, thin with a little bit of water.
• Strain the sauce through a strainer into a bowl, stir in the red and yellow peppers, poblano, mint, Thai basil, cilantro and season with salt, to taste.
• For the fish:
• Heat the grill over high heat.
• Season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Brush the fish with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on 1 side. Turn the grill down to medium and cook for another 6 to 7 minutes with the grill hood closed. Remove to a platter and immediately drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with Thai basil and cilantro.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH WITH CHILE & LIME RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• Light a charcoal grill. Set the fish on 2 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Rub the sambal oelek inside and all over the fish. Season with salt liberally to taste. Stuff the fish with the cilantro, basil, garlic, chiles, and lime slices. Wrap the foil around the fish and seal to form a packet. Grill the fish over indirect heat for about 1 hour, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the fish registers 135°F. If using a gas grill, cover and grill the fish over low heat for about 50 minutes, turning once. Carefully transfer the fish to a baking sheet and let rest for about 5 minutes. Open the packet and fillet the fish. Serve with lime wedges. Enjoy!