When it comes to grilling, there are three main types of grillers. Some like to use high-end equipment that is very specific in functions, while others prefer more affordable alternatives that they can take with them or even in house at their home. Then there are those who enjoy cooking using the middle ground, which is typically referred to as being a seasoned griller. These people develop a style that works for them and they hone this style into perfection.
With all these different styles, what happens next is each person has their own tricks and techniques they know how to do. Having a general idea of how to cook meat will not only help you be a better grilled cheese eater, but also give you the chance to experiment with other foods!
If you’re new to grilling, none of that matters too much. Just because someone else knows a trick does not mean you have to. With my article here, I will go over some easy ways to grill fish and the best tool to do so.
Brush the fish with oil
After washing your grill, you will need to brush some of our grilled olive or vegetable oils onto the surface of your grill. This helps promote browning and flavor for the meat you are cooking!
You can use either melted butter or coconut oil as an oil source. Simply pour it around the grilling area and spread it using a clean paper towel. Let it soak in for several minutes until it is time to cook the fish!
Brush the fish with about one Tablespoon of each oil before putting it on the grill! (Remember, you want to leave enough time for the oil to dry down.
Put it on the grill
When grilling fish, your first decision will be whether to cook it hot or cold. Obviously, cooking it warm is easier, but only if you know how to do that! If you are not sure what temperature to use, stick with easy choices- low and medium heat.
When grilling meat, people usually choose high heat as their preferred method. This is great for creating crispy bacon or dry roasted chicken, but not for grilled fish.
Fish does best when cooked slightly higher than raw, so start by heating up your grill until it is nice and toasty. Then add some olive oil to your pan and set the oven or stove burner next to the grill at around 250° F (or whatever degree you have calibrated).
Now, take your fish and put it in the pan. Cook it there for two minutes and then move it to the grill to finish baking. You can turn the grill down now if needed, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
General tips: remember that thicker fish layers like tuna need longer to bake through so check them every few minutes.
Flip and grill the other side
When grilling fish, one of your starting points will be whether or not you like it raw or cooked. If you prefer your fish well done, then you should cook it longer so that it reaches its preferred temperature.
If you would rather have it more warm or cold, then either can use the grill pan we mentioned before! To achieve this, you just need to flip the grilled meat half way through cooking.
After setting up your grill for grill fish, put the cover down and let it heat up. Then, take the grill pan out and wipe off any burnt bits. Now you are ready to start cooking!
To do this, place the fish in the grill pan and close the lid. After a few minutes, check if it is browned all over and if the pan feels hot when touched.
Serve with your favorite recipes
When it comes time to eat this grilled fish, make sure to season it and what kind of grill you are using! We recommend brushing both sides of the fish with olive oil and then seasoning with salt and pepper.
Once again, depending on the type of fish you have, bone-in or boneless, will determine how to cook the meat. For thinner flaky whitefish like snapper or cod, we suggest cooking it directly over an open flame for just a few minutes per side.
For thicker, meaty fishes such as marlin, swordfish, and tuna, use a plate that is under the grill to help keep warm pieces separate from cold ones. The plate also helps create more space in the oven so the whole fish can bake properly. This way, it does not burn at the outside due to dryness while baking.
After the fish is cooked through, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. You may want to spread some olive oil onto your plates to facilitate eating the fish later.
Take the time to taste and adjust the seasoning
Grilling is one of the best ways to cook fish, and if you are new to cooking fish, knowing how to grill fish can save you a lot of money! Even more important than knowing what kind of grill to use or what recipes work with your diet is being able to assess whether or not a piece of fish tastes good.
If you have never grilled fish before, that is totally fine! There are several types of fish that are relatively easy to prepare when cooked properly. Almost any firm white-meat fish will bake in the oven or fry up in olive oil on a stove top as long as they do not contain too much bone or fat.
Thicker, leaner fish like cod, snapper, and halibut are easier to identify flavor compounds such as salt and butter. These flavors will caramelize or burn slightly during grilling, enhancing the taste of the fish. If you would prefer less strong tasting meat, these are worth experimenting with.
Use a fish sauce that you like
When grilling fish, there are two main things you must consider. The first is how to cook the meat- this can be done either raw or cooked completely.
The second factor is what kind of grill you have and what kind of flavor you want to achieve with your grilled food. If you do not have a charcoal grill, then you should know about gas grills as well.
There are three types of smoke in smoked foods: dry, wet, and tempered. With dry smoking, no liquid water or alcohol used for combustion will produce the needed moisture in the air necessary to create the proper level of smoke. This does not work when baking or broiling the meat because it would burn!
Dry smoking is great for adding more flavor to dried meats such as jerky or salami. However, it cannot be used for thicker cuts of meat due to this lack of smoke.
Wet smoking uses plain old fashioned alcoholic beverages (water) to create the needed vapor to put out the fire. While very popular, these smokers need constant attention and monitoring to make sure they are working correctly.
Tempered smoking uses chemicals to aid in the production of smoke. These chemical compounds mix together to form other products that give off smoke, including ammonia and sodium nitrite.
These additives are not good for anyone who has allergies or sensitivities to them, so use caution if you choose to use this method.
Make a salad to compliment the fish
For most people, cooking with fire is a moderate experience. Grilling or broiling foods using direct heat comes with lots of recipes and tricks. One of our favorite grilled food dishes is fresh fish cooked on a grill topped with vegetables and olive oil as toppings.
When grilling meat, there are two main things to consider: temperature and timing. When baking bread, for example, your oven needs to get hot enough to toast the dough, but it must not burn it. It is similar when cooking meat.
Grilling meat at too high of a temperatures can dry out the protein, making what you cook very tough and taste funny. Cooked this way, it may also be harmful due to excessive amounts of salt or other additives. Also, meats that are overcooked will lose flavor and texture.
Timing is another key factor in great grilled meat. If cooked beyond the correct time frame, the meat could become overly dried or burnt. This would prevent it from eating properly and possibly even causing health issues.
When cooking meat on a grill, make sure to let it hang off the grill for the right amount of time! The thicker the cut, the longer it should stay away from the flames. A good rule of thumb is one minute per inch of thickness of the meat.
Learn to grill other meats and vegetables
Grilling fish is one of the most beloved ways to prepare it. When cooked properly, there are few better dishes! Luckily, you do not have to be professional griller to cook delicious grilled fish.
Most people start by buying fresh fish at the grocery store or market and then refrigerate it until ready to cook. Once they decide how to cook the fish, they can choose from several different cooking methods.
The easiest way to begin preparing grilled fish recipes is by using the plate method. This means taking your fish out of the refrigerator and setting it onto an oven-safe serving dish that has been coated in olive oil or butter.
Once this done, cover the grill with heavy pots or plates and then put the fish on top. Cook for an amount of time determined by the kind of fish and your preference.