29 Grilled Fish Recipes for Your Next Barbecue
![A grilled swordfish steak topped with chopped lemon and diced tomatoes and zucchinis.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/assets.epicurious.com/photos/62b47d69aa40563684eb1388/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/grilled-swordfish-chopped-lemon-oregano_HERO_20220616-EPI-12913_V1_final.jpg)
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. But these recipes for the grill 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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- Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/29
Cedar-Plank Salmon
Salmon doesn’t need much to taste great, and this go-to grilled fish recipe from Gourmet proves it. Spicy mustard, sweetened with honey or maple syrup and flavored with lemon and herbs, gives this big salmon fillet a boost.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/29
Brochetas de Pescado
Cut your tuna or swordfish into cubes, then marinate with a garlicky mix of chipotle, tomato, annatto, cumin, and lime for fish skewers that you'll want to make at every party this summer.
- Tara Donne, food styling by Chelsea Zimmer3/29
Linguine 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 Flores4/29
Grilled 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 Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/29
Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos
Serve these fish tacos with guacamole and pico de gallo, plus lime wedges for squeezing over.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/29
Grilled 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 Boystova7/29
Easy 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 Purcell8/29
Sweet 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 Liz Clayman9/29
Citrus-Stuffed Branzini
This fish dinner is one of our favorites for the grill. If a fish comes whole from the store, leave the head and tail on when you cook it, to help retain moisture. The fish is done when the inside of the cavity is dry.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/29
Grilled Spiced Snapper With Mango and Red Onion Salad
Grilling a whole fish might feel daunting to some home cooks, but you can do it! This recipe walks you step-by-step through turning the fish on the grill grate (hint: using two spatulas is key).
- Photo by Peden & Munk11/29
Grilled 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 Kamil Bialous12/29
Halibut With Spicy Sausage, Tomatoes, and Rosemary
Foil packets are a simple way to cook fish fillets on the grill, ideal for the busy weeknight chef or anyone who's new to cooking fish. Add in cherry tomatoes, paprika-loaded sausages, and some fresh sprigs of rosemary into each halibut foil packet for maximum flavor with minimal work.
- Photo by Hirsheimer & Hamilton13/29
Spiced Salmon Kebabs
These simple salmon kebabs are made even easier when you thread the salmon onto two skewers. This helps keep the flaky fish in place as you turn the skewers on the grill. It's one of our favorite grilling moves—and one of our favorite grilled fish recipes.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes14/29
Grilled Halibut With Chimichurri
A bright, garlicky parsley sauce is the perfect accompaniment to simply grilled halibut.
- Photo by Alex Lau15/29
Grilled 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 Theodorou16/29
Crispy-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 Peden + Munk17/29
Snapper With Blistered Bean Salad and Chile Vinegar
Make a pot of rice to soak up the extra dressing in this delicious snapper recipe.
- Photo by Amy Neunsinger18/29
Grilled 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 Bacon19/29
Grilled 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 Jaime20/29
Grilled Swordfish With Tomatoes
This forgiving grilled swordfish recipe is great for a dinner party. Serve with hunks of bread for sopping up the sauce.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott21/29
Snapper Escabèche with Charred Scallions
For this dish, the snapper is simply rubbed with oil and cooked quickly on the grill, then topped with a tangy marinade of white wine vinegar, olive oil, and red onion.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Judy Mancini22/29
Fish 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 Jurkevich23/29
Grilled Swordfish with Charred Leeks and Citrus
Firm, thick swordfish steaks can handle being cooked over medium-high heat like a steak. An even higher temp chars the leeks so that they're smoky outside and sweet and juicy inside.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich24/29
Grilled Salmon Steaks With Cilantro-Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Pro tip: You'll want to drizzle this herby yogurt sauce over everything, so make a big batch to carry you through the week. Serve it on grilled veggies or even store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Dean Kaufman25/29
Grilled Fish with Tangerine and Marjoram
This recipe from Hartwood restaurant gets plenty of acidity from tangerine, and freshness from eight sprigs of fresh marjoram.
- Photo by Gentl & Hyers26/29
Grilled 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.
- Photo by Kamil Bialous27/29
Whole Grilled Salmon with Chanterelles
This recipe is going to instruct you to remove the backbone of the fish from inside the cavity—no small task but well worth it. You can also just tie two whole fillets of salmon together (skin side facing out) if you’d like.
- Chris Gentile28/29
Whole Grilled Fish with Lime
With a dish this simple, you need the freshest possible fish—ask your fishmonger what came in today. Snapper, black sea bass, or branzino will all be great. Serve with a big bowl of rice.
- Cedric Angeles29/29
Swordfish 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.
Joe Sevier
Joe Sevier
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