TIPS FOR GRILLING SEAFOOD PERFECTLY
Seafood is a healthy choice and tastes absolutely amazing when prepared to perfection on the grill. It creates a quick and easy, lighter-feeling meal than meat which makes it ideal for summer menu planning. Another great benefit for grilling seafood is your house won’t smell like fish!
CHOOSING THE BEST FISH FOR GRILLING
Making good choices when purchasing your fish fillets or steaks is as important as your grilling methods. First, make sure they are at least 1″ thick. The fish you choose should have an unblemished appearance, firm flesh, and smell fresh and briny like the sea itself. Make sure to always keep your fish cold in the refrigerator until it is time for grilling. If possible, grill your fish the same day you buy it.
GRILLING FISH
The difference between most meats and fish when grilled is: fish tends to loose it’s moisture faster. To help preserve moisture, coat your fish with oil to help seal some of it in.
Gas grills should be set at medium and allowed to warmed up for 10 minutes. For charcoal grills, heat the coals until they have a coating of white ash, then pile off to one side to create a hot and cool area on the grill.
Clean your grill grate well with a wire grill brush. Next coat a paper towel with vegetable oil and rub on your grill grate with tongs to keep your fish from sticking during the cooking process.
Most fish you choose can be grilled directly on the grate, at high heat. Make sure to flip your fish as soon as it is cooked half way through. Plan for 10 minutes of cooking time for every inch of thickness when cooked over medium-hot heat. Thick, wide grates made of cast iron work best with less sticking and will add eye appealing grill marks.
Thinner or more delicate fish do well wrapped in, or placed atop aluminum foil. Make sure to add a piece of parchment paper between foil and fish to help prevent sticking.
SALMON
Brush with vegetable oil and season with salt. Cook your salmon skin-side down and leave it be for 3 to 5 minutes. Next, turn it over gently with a wide metal spatula. When it easily flakes apart with a fork, it’s done.
TUNA
Brush with vegetable oil and season with salt. With a high heat grill sear your tuna for a couple of minutes on each side. Next move the fish to a cooler area on your grill to finish the cooking process until it is done the way you prefer.
SHRIMP, PRAWNS, SHELLFISH
Small pieces of fish such as these work really well on kabobs. Cook directly on the grill and pay close attention as seafood cooks quite quickly. Any of these items can be marinated before cooking to add interest and flavor.
BIVALVES
Oysters mussels, clams and scallops are easy to prepare on the grill. Heat unshucked over a hot fire until their shells open. At this point they can be removed to be eaten on left on a little more to to give them more of a grilled, smokey flavor.
Everything you need to create a delicious grilled fish meal can be purchased in our store. Our experts are here to answer any questions you may have. Check our Store Event Calendar regularly for upcoming Seafood Sales.
