How to grill tilapia: step by step
Just throw those beautiful fish fillets right onto those grill grates: there’s no need for any monkey business with foil! The best grilled fish is made right on the hot grill. You can use this method for other white fish like grilled cod or grilled salmon. Here’s what you need to know about the heat level and grill time (or jump to the full recipe): Why we love this recipe: If you’re looking for a fun grilled fish recipe, this flaky tilapia is bursting with savory, smoky flavor. Top it with sweet and tender blistered cherry tomatoes and it looks stunning. It’s the ideal summer meal for entertaining or even a weeknight. (Plus, our kids actually love this one: double score.)
Tilapia fillets: Tilapia is a mild, flaky white fish that’s a relatively affordable choice. You can use fresh or frozen here. (Most tilapia is farm raised; keep reading for choosing sustainable options.) Olive oil: This heart healthy oil is great for grilling. Spices: Our homemade spice blend includes smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery seed.
Take it over the top! Add a drizzle of this tangy basil vinaigrette for a restaurant-style meal. Or, swap out the tomatoes for a fruit salsa like pineapple salsa, peach salsa, or mango salsa.
Smoked paprika: This Spanish version of paprika infuses a smoky essence to foods, and it’s one our secret weapons! Find it in your local grocery store labeled as pimentón, Spanish smoked paprika, or sweet smoked paprika. You can also buy it online here. We recommend seeking it out if at all possible, though standard paprika works as a substitute. Garlic powder and onion powder: These bring big savory notes to this spice blend. Celery seed: This spice is absolutely worth stocking, and it brings a nuance that’s evocative of Old Bay. You can also use it again in other recipes like our fan-favorite chickpea salad sandwich or chicken tacos.
A few more tilapia recipes
While we love salmon recipes most, we love to mix it up with tilapia too! This white fish always makes a tasty dinner. Here are some of our top tilapia recipes and other grilled fish recipes:
Grilled vegetables: While you’re grilling the fish, add some grilled vegetables to the grates. Try grilled corn, grilled broccoli, grilled green beans, grilled potatoes in foil, or grilled peppers and onion. Salads: There are so many fun summer salads to pair with grilled fish. Try strawberry salad, arugula salad, corn salad, celery salad, lentil salad, or cucumber salad. Grains: Add a side of coconut rice, basil rice, or seasoned quinoa.
Try fan-favorite baked tilapia, baked up with tomatoes, feta and garlic Go for easy and crispy Parmesan crusted tilapia, fried tilapia, or blackened tilapia with blackened seasoning. Try other types of fish and seafood with grilled shrimp, grilled red snapper, grilled tuna, grilled scallops or Cajun grilled shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
5 from 3 reviews
