Grilling tilapia is a fast and flavorful way to make this popular fish, leaving you with a delicious meal in less than 30 minutes.
Tilapia is a mild fish, making it an excellent base for any flavor combinations. More so, it absorbs the wonderful smokiness of the grill for an easy and tasty meal.
The following flavors work really well when grilling tilapia, however you can customize this recipe any way you choose.
Ingredients for Grilled Tilapia
- 4 Tilapia Filets
- 4 teaspoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- Citrus (such as lemon or lime) for serving
To begin preparing grilled tilapia, make sure your fish is defrosted. You can defrost your fish overnight in the refrigerator, or defrost in a bowl of cool water for about 15 minutes. Once fish is thawed, you may begin cooking.
To Prepare Grilled Tilapia:
- Begin by preheating your grill. Set the grill to a medium/high heat allowing it to heat to about 450 degrees.
- While your grill is heating, season the fish.
- Drizzle each filet with the olive oil, making sure to generously coat the filets on all sides. This will help the fish not to stick to the grill.
- Next, season each side of each filet with salt and pepper (to taste), as well as the paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the fish on the grill and let cook for about 5 minutes on each side. You’ll know it’s time to flip the fish when it easily releases from the grill grates.
- Let cook for another 5 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a food thermometer into the thickest part of the filet. Cooked tilapia will have an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a fish spatula, carefully remove the tilapia from the grill and serve. If desired, squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon or lime juice overtop and enjoy!
This simple preparation is flavor packed and simple to prepare, making it an excellent lunch or dinner option in a pinch. Serve alongside grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a light and delicious meal.
For more recipe inspiration for tilapia, salmon, and more, browse our Seafood University today!
Grilled Tilapia
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia filets
- 4 tsp olive oil
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- lemon or lime, for serving
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your grill. Set the grill to a medium/high heat allowing it to heat to about 450 degrees
- While your grill is heating, season the fish
- Drizzle each filet with the olive oil, making sure to generously coat the filets on all sides. This will help the fish not to stick to the grill
- Next, season each side of each filet with salt and pepper (to taste), as well as the paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder
- Place the fish on the grill and let cook for about 5 minutes on each side. You’ll know it’s time to flip the fish when it easily releases from the grill grates
- Let cook for another 5 minutes
- Check for doneness by inserting a food thermometer into the thickest part of the filet. Cooked tilapia will have an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit
- Using a fish spatula, carefully remove the tilapia from the grill and serve. If desired, squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon or lime juice overtop and enjoy!