How to Grill a Whole Fish | Grilling Fridays | Serious Eats

Grilling may be one of our favorite ways to cook a whole fish—the intense direct heat does wonders for the skin, crisping it up while the coals below impart a delicious flavor to the fish itself. Granted, it's not quite as easy as just tossing a whole fish in the oven, but a few key steps will guarantee it comes out perfect every time. Here's how to get it done.

See More Like This!

Subscribe to Serious Eats!

Follow Us Elsewhere:

Serious Eats is a leading resource for all things food and drink: meticulously tested recipes that really work; in-depth, science-based explanations of cooking techniques; detailed reviews of cooking equipment; and guides to ingredients, dishes, and cuisines. We bring a democratic yet scientific approach to cooking the best dishes, busting food myths, and delivering strong opinions on what you should eat next, where, when, and why.

[frannnc]

Way better than any video on grilling fish I’ve seen. Thank you

[halekus]

*Love it!! I used to use a propane grill and after using my Weber, the food just tastes so much better and the temp **MyBest.Kitchen** control is so easy! Will never use a propane grill again!*

[RotterStudios]

As soon as the fish is what temp and for how long?

[MrTomomahony]

i never put oil on fish or the grill it never sticks if the grill is hot enough, put some slashes on the fish so it cooks evenly .

[Heym]

The way we do it in my house, we mince garlic and add mix it with salt then we smear it on the fish well and thats it. it's DELICIOUS!!!

[winter]

Like simple video that doesn’t take too much time to see the whole grilling process

[ruslanararsyev]

Clear message, clear structure, easy to understand, thank you

[noegojimmy]

I am grilling fish today over charcoal. Haven't done it in a long story time. Came to confirm knowledge.
Thanks.
Nice video.

[scottfishing]

i've done this 50 times.

lightly salt fish inside and out after drying off, then stand it up on a rack in the fridge to dry out for a while (if overnight, watch out for that salt).

Now that the fish is actually dry, coat both the grill grate and the fish with oil, and follow the rest of the video's advice

[songisik]

Really well organised, informative video. Thanks!

[furball]

So simple! No need for a PHD to do this. Thank you!

[timg]

Always add garlic and parsley. Fish loves them

[Pauliepsi]

The more difficult question is, how do I fish a whole grill?

[banmate]

Excellent video. This is the way to do it.

[gus]

👍 Fish & fire: great way to go! 🐟🔥 Thanks for the tips! 😎

[Abubakar-wsnh]

Looks delicious and explained very simple

[mjqualitycleaningllc]

Thats how i grill!! Always! I get all those vitamins

[travelright]

Putting Lemon into your fish will give it a very bitter tasted if you cook with it. Lemon goes on your fish after you cook.

[foodhubbd]

Very very skilled video making. I can not but fall in love of your skill.❤

[michaeldev]

And again no mention of how hot the grill should be