Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for sophisticated dinner ideas, grilled fish is the holy grail of simple, yet mouthwatering dinners.
Regardless of the fish variation you have, you can make an impressive dish. It all comes down to marinating the fish and pairing it with the right side.
So, here are some of my favorite fish marinades that take only a few minutes to prepare:
1. Garlic Marinade
Garlic is the quintessential fish marinade. A small amount of garlic and a bit of olive oil can go a long way in transforming the way fish tastes. Paired with a bowl of light lemon rice, you’ll have the dinner of your dreams.
The trick to marinating fish in a garlic concoction is to chop the aromatics as finely as possible. This allows the fish to take in as much flavor as possible.
This doesn’t mean you should omit salt and pepper, though. Instead, you should season the fish with the tried and true seasonings before adding the marinade.
This way, you’ll ensure the fish is saturated with salt and pepper before it absorbs any more delicious flavorings.
2. Mustard Marinade
Fish marinade doesn’t need to be complex. In fact, this mustard marinade proves how fish can be the ideal lazy dinner.
Almost every fridge has at least one bottle of mustard. Ideally, you should go for Dijon mustard. Next, rub the mustard onto the fish filets and let it marinate for ten minutes. You don’t even need to add salt or pepper!
Still, if you want to elevate your dinner, you can add some extra seasonings and herbs. These include smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. You might also add honey or maple syrup for a sweet twist.
3. Lemon and Parsley Marinade
Lemon pairs perfectly well with fish. It makes for a bright, light fish meal that’ll be your best dinner in the summer. It’ll transport you straight to the Mediterranean!
The versatile lemon and parsley marinade works on any type of fish. What’s more, as long as you have lemons in your fridge, you can alter the other ingredients to your liking.
All you have to do is combine some olive oil, lemon juice, and any fresh herbs you have on hand. You can also add some lemon zest for an extra kick.
It’s important to never leave citrus marinades on fish for more than 10 to 15 minutes. That’s because fish is pretty delicate.
Accordingly, the acid in the lemon will denature the protein, turning the fish’s firm texture into mush.
Instead, you should marinate the fish while preparing the rest of the ingredients, or even brush the marinade onto the fish right before grilling.
4. Grapefruit Marinade
Grapefruit marinade might not be the first choice that comes to mind when marinating fish, but there’s a good reason why you should try it.
For starters, it’s a sweet and spicy marinade that satisfies all your cravings, without sacrificing the light and airy texture of the fish. Moreover, it’s the best recipe if you don’t have a lot of time, as you only need to marinate the fish for five minutes.
To make this fruity marinade, combine grapefruit juice, ginger, honey, and whatever spices you prefer. I love using coriander, smoked paprika, and black pepper, but I’d also recommend experimenting until you find your signature flavor.
After grilling the fish, top it with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime to balance out the flavors. Then, serve with a light salad to cool off the heat from the ginger!
5. Coconut and Lime Marinade
So, you want an exotic marinade for a fresh flavor that’ll impress the whole family? This coconut and lime fish marinade is the ideal tropical twist for grilled fish.
In particular, the creamy marinade perfectly complements white fish, as the mild meat won’t overwhelm the burst of flavors in the marinade.
As the name suggests, this zesty coconut marinade relies on coconut milk and lime juice. Additionally, you should add a splash of soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili flakes.
Then, submerge the fish filets in the marinade for at least 15 minutes. Make sure to remove any excess marinade before grilling, and enjoy with a side of steamed vegetables!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel