5 Tips for Grilling Fish | Tips & Techniques

Practice Makes Perfect
Many grillers consider fish fillets and steaks their biggest challenge. They remember the times when fish stuck to the grate and fell to pieces when they tried to take it off the grill. To greatly improve your chances of success, learn to grill firm fish first, especially the ones that are a bit oily, including salmon, swordfish, and tuna.

Don’t Overdo It
Fish and seafood don’t have the muscle structure and firmness that many four-legged creatures have. Therefore marinades work more quickly to break down the structure of fillets and steaks. So, to prevent mushy textures, limit marinating times to just a few hours. And, above all else, don’t overcook fillets and steaks.

Feed the Fire
Don’t be afraid of high heat. It creates a bit of a crust on the surface of fish, and the crust helps the fish release from the cooking grate. The thinner the fillets or steaks you have, the higher the heat should be.

No Flip-Flopping
Every time you turn fish on the grill, you create a new possibility for sticking, so turn it only once.

Quick Finish
Grill the first side longer than the second. This assures you a nicely developed crust on the first side. Plus, if you are grilling with the lid closed (as you should), the second side will begin to cook while the first side is on the grate. So the second side will not need as long on the grate

Fan Favorite Recipe

Recipe from Weber's Way to Grill™ by Jamie Purviance

Salmon with Nectarine Salsa

People: Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 min.
Grilling Time: 8 to 11 min.

the Ingredients

Salsa

nectarines, about 455 grams total, cut into 12-millimeter dice
80 grams 6-millimeter dice red bell pepper
30 grams 6-millimeter dice red onion
6 grams finely chopped fresh chervil leaves
jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and finely diced
finely chopped fresh mint leaves
honey
fresh lime juice
crushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt
salmon fillets (with skin), each 170 to 225 grams and about 2.5 centimeters thick, pin bones removed
kosher salt
crushed red pepper flakes
fresh lime juice
extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

01 In a medium bowl combine the salsa ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (230° to 290°C).
03 Season the salmon on both sides with the salt and red pepper flakes and then drizzle with the lime juice and oil.
04 Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the salmon, flesh side down first, over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until you can lift the fillets off the grate with tongs without sticking, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the fillets over and continue cooking to your desired doneness, 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Slip a spatula between the skin and the flesh, and transfer the fillets to serving plates, leaving the skin on the grate. Serve warm with the salsa.