Grilled Fish

🐟 Grilled Fish on the BBQ – The Ultimate Guide from Market to Plate 🍋🔥

🛒 1. Choosing the Right Fish (The First Key to Success)

Start by picking the freshest fish possible. The best types for grilling include:

Sea bream (Daurade Royale) 🐠

Sea bass 🐟

Mackerel 🐡

Cuttlefish or squid if you want something extra 🦑

How to know it's fresh:

Clear, bulging eyes 👀

Fresh, ocean-like smell (not sour or fishy) 🌊

Firm flesh that bounces back to the touch 👆

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🔪 2. Cleaning the Fish (A Must-Do)

Before grilling, the fish needs to be thoroughly cleaned:

1. Use a knife to scrape off the scales (from tail to head) 🔪

2. Make a slit in the belly and remove the insides 🧼

3. Rinse with cold water and dry with a paper towel 🧻

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🌿 3. Legendary Marinade (The Flavor Secret 😋)

This is where the magic happens! Here’s what you need:

🧂 Marinade Ingredients:

4 tbsp olive oil 🫒

Juice of 1 large lemon 🍋

4 crushed garlic cloves 🧄

Handful of chopped parsley & coriander 🌿

1 tsp ground cumin 🌰

1 tsp sweet paprika 🌶️

½ tsp black pepper ⚫

½ tsp ground ginger 🟠

Salt to taste 🧂

🧴 Mixing:

Stir everything in a bowl until well combined 🥣

Optional: add chili paste or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick 🔥

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🧼 4. Marinating the Fish – Time for Flavor to Soak In

Gently rub the marinade all over the fish — inside and out 🖐️

Place in a dish, cover with plastic wrap 🧊

Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2–4 hours, or preferably overnight 🌙

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🔥 5. Prepping the Grill – Your Outdoor Kitchen

For perfect grilled fish:

Heat charcoal until you get a nice glowing bed of embers 🌋

Use a grill basket or metal grate 🧲

Lightly brush the grill with oil so the fish doesn’t stick 🧴

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🍽️ 6. Grilling Like a Pro – Step by Step

1. Place the fish on medium heat (not too hot, not too weak) 🔥

2. Grill each side for about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness ⏱️

3. Flip only once to keep the fish from falling apart 🐟

4. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice while grilling for added aroma 🍋

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🥗 7. What to Serve With It – The Perfect Side Dishes

Grilled fish goes well with a variety of sides:

🥔 Potato Salad:

Boiled potatoes, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil

🥗 Grilled Veggies:

Roasted peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes, seasoned with salt and olive oil

🍞 Traditional Bread:

A must-have to scoop up all the juices, especially with grilled sardines

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💡 8. Secret Touches That Make It Special

Want to wow your guests? Try these:

Stuff a few lemon slices inside the fish before grilling 🍋

Add a bit of lemon zest to the marinade for extra zing ✨

Use real wood charcoal for a smokier, richer aroma 🌳

Place rosemary or thyme sprigs on the coals to perfume the air 🌿🔥

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🎉 9. How to Serve – Turn It Into a Feast

1. Lay the grilled fish on a big platter over lettuce leaves 🍽️

2. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh herbs 🍋🌿

3. Add some black olives or boiled veggies around it 🫒🥕

4. Serve with a smile and a cold drink 😁🍹

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🚫 Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t grill the fish straight from the fridge — let it rest at room temperature

Don’t flip it too many times — once is enough

Don’t overdo the lemon while grilling — it can harden the fish

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💬 Pro Tip

The more care you put into each step, the better the final dish. It’s not just grilled fish — it’s an edible artwork 😍✨

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📌 Bonus Notes:

This exact recipe works great with sardines too, just reduce the grilling time

Can be cooked on a gas grill, indoor griddle, or cast iron pan — but charcoal is king

For big fish, score the skin with shallow cuts so the marinade soaks in nicely 🔪

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If you liked this style, I can give you more grilled seafood guides — like for shrimp, squid, or even Spanish-style paella 🦐🍤🦑

Would you like a downloadable PDF version or want to continue with grilled sardines next? 📩