29 Grilled Fish Recipes for Your Next Barbecue
There are plenty of reasons to get excited for warmer weather, but we’d say that grilling fish is pretty high up there. The best grilled fish recipes are deeply flavorful—plus delightfully quick to make and easy on the cleanup.
You probably already know that a touch of char can make the plainest salt-and-peppered fish fillet taste better. These recipes, though, deliver even more. You'll find the marinades and sauces that help salmon, halibut, and snapper shine, plus smart ways to tackle fish skewers, cedar plank grilling, and whole fish too.
Whatever type of grilled fish you choose, keep the rest of the meal simple. Sometimes all you need is an easy corn salad or a plate of marinated tomatoes. Scroll down to pick a recipe and let the fish be the star of the show.
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Tara Donne, food styling by Chelsea Zimmer3/29Linguine With Grilled Tuna, Capers and Parsley
Looking for a weeknight dinner that you can make on the grill? Char some leeks and garlic cloves alongside the fish for this Mediterranean-inspired pasta.
Photo by Eva Kosmas Flores4/29Grilled Salmon With Peach Curry and Coconut Cream
Juicy, ripe peaches and beautiful pink salmon scream summer. A little red curry paste and Thai basil keep this sweet and spicy curry squarely in the savory realm, and a drizzle of reduced coconut cream cools things off.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/29Grilled Swordfish Steaks With Whole-Lemon Dressing
This is the kind of dish you'd gladly pay for at a restaurant. But we promise great swordfish is easy to make in your own backyard.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova7/29Easy Grilled Salmon in Foil With Lemon-Garlic-Herb Butter
Foolproof flaky fish, and minimal cleanup? We're sold. Serve with a salad and a refreshing summer drink.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell8/29Sweet and Salty Fish Collars
The collar, the part between the head and the body, can be one of the most delicious parts of a fish. Try this sweet and salty sauce with the collar of grilled cod, or another white fish like tilapia, sole, snapper, or even catfish.
First time cooking a fish collar? Go here for even more tips.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/29Grilled Spiced Snapper With Mango and Red Onion Salad
Photo by Peden & Munk11/29Grilled Halibut Niçoise With Market Vegetables
Turn your overzealous farmers market haul into a gorgeous catch-all salad topped with flaky halibut, hot off the grill. Any mix of veg will work with this grilled fish recipe; we love a mix of scallions, garlic scapes, Romano beans, halved small eggplants, and halved baby potatoes.
Photo by Romulo Yanes14/29Grilled Halibut With Chimichurri
A bright, garlicky parsley sauce is the perfect accompaniment to simply grilled halibut.
Photo by Alex Lau15/29Grilled Halibut With Tomatoes and Hearts of Palm
Few things could be simpler—or more rewarding—than easy grilled fish recipes like this one. For meaty steaks of swordfish, albacore, and halibut, all you need is a kiss of high heat from a grill and a simple vinaigrette.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou16/29Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Whole Lemon–Sesame Sauce
Adding an entire lemon (yes, the whole thing—skin, pith, and flesh) gives brightness and texture to this sauce, far beyond what lemon juice alone would do. Any bitterness from the pith will be offset by the sesame oil and honey. Cook the salmon skin-side down on the grill, and you'll end up with crispy salmon that pairs beautifully with the creamy, zesty sauce.
Photo by Amy Neunsinger18/29Grilled Salmon With Meyer Lemons and Creamy Cucumber Salad
Marinate salmon in lemon zest and fresh dill, then grill the rich fillets and serve with crunchy chopped cucumbers draped in a coleslaw-like dressing.
Quentin Bacon19/29Grilled Salmon with Orzo, Feta, and Red Wine Vinaigrette
This great-tasting main-course salad could be served any day of the week and for any occasion. The warm orzo salad, with crunchy pine nuts, fresh basil, tender spinach, and tangy feta, is also good on its own. The salmon can also be cooked in a ridged grill pan, but if you've got a grill, fire it up!
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime20/29Grilled Swordfish With Tomatoes
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Judy Mancini22/29Fish Tacos al Pastor
Inspired by the classic pork al pastor marinade, the most involved part of this grilled halibut recipe can be prepped ahead of time. Marinate the fillets in a punchy mixture of chiles, garlic, orange juice, and lime juice a least one and up to three hours ahead of grilling. You'll know that the prep-ahead effort was worth it when you taste these flavorful fish tacos, finished with tangy pineapple salsa and fresh cilantro.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich23/29Grilled Swordfish with Charred Leeks and Citrus
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich24/29Grilled Salmon Steaks With Cilantro-Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Photo by Gentl & Hyers26/29Grilled Branzino With Cilantro-Mint Relish
This easy grilled whole fish gets a flavor boost from a mix of cilantro, lime juice, ginger, and mint. Readers say that guests rave about this recipe. Serve with a crunchy mango salad or one made with green beans and cucumbers.
Cedric Angeles29/29Swordfish With Seaweed Salsa Verde
Combining the herbs for the salsa verde with seaweed gives this dish the ultimate fresh-out-of-the-sea flavor. It's one of those grilled fish recipes that works really well for company, since you can make the sauce a few days ahead. Wrap up your feast with butter mochi while you watch the sunset.
