24 Grilled Fish Recipes to Make with Your Catch of the Day

When you've overdone the barbecue chicken and char-broiled burgers, it's time to try grilled fish recipes. Charred, smoky and extra flaky, you'll want to add fish to tacos, salads and summer rice bowls.

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Hosting a summer barbecue but need a break from the burgers and steaks? Try fish instead! Each of these grilled fish recipes is light, flavorful and perfectly flaky. Once cooked, you can add the meat to your favorite taco recipes, plate it over bowls of garlic spaghetti or flake the fish into a vegetable-filled rice bowl.

It’s common to be intimated by grilled fish, but it’ll seem as easy as grilling hot dogs once you get a feel for it. For crispy fish, choose a thick cut with firm flesh that won’t fall apart on the grill. Smaller cuts of fish or varieties with more delicate flesh can be cooked in foil packs. Keeping the skin on the fish will also hold it together, and you can remove the skin after it’s cooked. Keep the heat high to infuse smoky flavor and prevent the fish from getting too soft.

Pair your grilled fish with chilled white wine or sweet and fruity patio drinks like lime rickeys or blueberry mojitos.

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Grilled Salmon Fillets

The grill is a perfect cooking method for salmon. The smokiness is a subtle way to amp up salmon’s mild flavor, and the high heat creates a delicious charred finish. —Lindsay Mattison, Hillsboro, Oregon
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Grilled Salmon Steaks

This is a terrific way to fix grilled salmon steaks, and it’s so easy to do. The marinade mellows the fish flavor, and the dill sauce is a wonderful complement. I once served this recipe to 12 people from the Pacific Northwest who declared it was the best salmon they’d ever eaten! —Deb Essen, Victor, Montana
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Spicy Plum Salmon

I created this sweet and spicy salmon after being challenged to use healthier ingredients. The fresh plum sauce really complements the smoky grilled fish. —Cheryl Hochstettler, Richmond, Texas
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Marinade for Salmon

This easy marinade for salmon adds a ton of flavor, whether grilled, pan-seared, broiled, baked or popped in an air fryer.

Here is a list of some grilled salad recipes to serve with a side of grill marks.

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Halibut Fish Tacos

Halibut fish tacos, sitting atop lettuce and tortillas and dressed with mango salsa, make a warm-weather meal that's quick, colorful and full of nutrients. You can add any taco topping you like.
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Steamed Tilapia in Wine Sauce

I developed this recipe while working at a local winery. Fast and easy to prepare, it became an instant classic at my house. I use a lively dry pear wine in the sauce and recommend avoiding those wines that are sweet or semisweet. —Tenneille Brewer, Fayette, New York
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Grilled Salmon in Foil

Grilled salmon in foil is one of the easiest, fastest ways to make dinner with hardly any mess! Salmon steams inside the foil packet, while tomatoes and onions soak up the curry powder used to season the salmon.
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Grilled Barbecued Salmon

For a beautiful blend of sweet and spicy, this salmon is grilled and basted with barbecue sauce enhanced by brown sugar and hints of chili, soy sauce and lime.—Country Woman Test Kitchen
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Tilapia Florentine Foil Packets

I love fish and serving healthy food to my family. This is a winner in my house! —Shanna Belz, Prineville, Oregon
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Bourbon-Glazed Salmon

This bourbon-glazed salmon is ready in minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients. Pair it with a green salad and couscous to have the perfect meal. If you don't like the taste of bourbon, you can use cola or brewed coffee. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Grilled Salmon Fillet

Growing up on a family-owned resort, I was expected to help around the kitchen. This grilled salmon fillet recipe became my specialty. —Paul Noetzel, Grafton, Wisconsin
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Martha's Fish Tacos

We can’t get enough barbecued fish at our house. This recipe can be made ahead and served cold, or you can eat it hot off the grill. It’s fantastic either way! —Martha Benoit, Proctorsville, Vermont
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Cedar Plank Salmon with Blackberry Sauce

Here's my go-to entree for a warm-weather cookout. The salmon has a rich, grilled taste that's enhanced by the savory blackberry sauce. It's a nice balance of sweet, smoky and spicy. —Stephanie Matthews, Tempe, AZ
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Grilled Mahi Mahi

Instead of grilling the usual hamburgers or chicken breasts, prepare this grilled mahi mahi and reel in raves! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Grilled Catfish

Grilled catfish boasts a delicious flavor, especially when it's infused with spices and served with lemon and parsley.
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Grilled Tuna Steak

This grilled tuna steak is a quick and delicious dinner recipe that comes together in 10 minutes. Marinated in a blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and thyme, it's an easy meal to make during summer grilling season.
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Grilled Halibut with Blueberry Salsa

Give halibut a new summery spin. The salsa may seem sophisticated, but it’s really a cinch to prepare. —Donna Goutermont, Juneau, Alaska
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Grilled Tilapia with Mango

Here's a new twist on tilapia that I created for my wife. She enjoys the combination of mango with Parmesan. Somehow it tastes even better outside on the deck with a cold glass of iced tea. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio
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Maple-Balsamic Salmon

I have a few good recipes for family-favorite, heart-healthy salmon, but this one is always a hit. I serve it this way at least once a week and sometimes more! —David Krisko of Becker, Minnesota
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Grilled Campfire Trout Dinner

Your fresh catch will taste even better with this simple treatment that keeps the fish moist. Carrots are an excellent accompaniment; cook up in a separate foil packet. —Wendy McGowan, Fontana, California
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Firecracker Grilled Salmon

Let this sensational firecracker salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
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Tuna Teriyaki Kabobs

I love to barbecue but don't always want a heavy dinner. These are perfect in the spring, and you'll have room for dessert! —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
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The Ultimate Fish Tacos

Savor these delicious paprika-spiced mahi mahi tacos with a tangy twist of salsa verde and fresh vegetable toppings in just 30 minutes.
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Lemon-Dijon Grilled Salmon Foil Packet

My family enjoys this healthy salmon recipe very much, which makes it a winner in my book. The capers really give it a burst of flavor. And since the salmon are grilled in foil, there's almost no cleanup! —Bonnie McGuire, Sunnyvale, California

Grilled Fish FAQ

What fish is best for grilling?

The best types of fish for grilling are thick and firm like salmon, sea bass and halibut. This lowers the chances of your dinner falling apart and slipping through the grill grates. Opt for types of fish that have a mild flavor because they will soak up flavors from your chosen seasonings or marinade recipes. Finally, look for fish with a higher fat content because it will withstand high heat and stay moist.

Do you need to flip fish when grilling?

Yes, plan to flip your fish once while grilling. You’ll want to grill each side for three to four minutes for a 1-inch thick fish filet. Be patient when flipping your fish. Allow it to naturally release from the grill grates, rather than forcing the flip. This helps your fish stay together rather than falling apart. Seasoning your grill grates is another useful tip to keep them nonstick (just like seasoning a cast-iron skillet!).

What should you serve with grilled fish recipes?

For grilled white fish, go with tried and true side dishes like potato pancakes or hush puppies. Seasoned white rice or lemony orzo pasta salad elevates salmon and tuna recipes. Grilled vegetables and crunchy coleslaw recipes help vary the textures and colors on your backyard barbecue spread too.