Grilled Blackened Tilapia

Let’s get some variety into our grill season. Healthy eating has never been so good or easy as this wonderfully spicy grilled blackened tilapia. Fire up the grill now.

Editor’s Note: Originally published May 11, 2013. Updated with re-edited photos and text.

Based on my Oven Baked Blacken Tilapia, it only takes 2 minutes per side to get a grilled masterpiece. I have included options for cooking tools (basket vs. griddle) and different levels of heat.

The main complaint about the oven baked blackened tilapia was the lack of “crustiness,” so this has been on the to-do list for a while. Well, this solved that issue. Give it a try; you will love it.

This goes great with my Simple Tartar Sauce.

My Rating

This is the easiest 5 in a long time. Definitely the leader for the best recipe of the year (2012).

Tips: Notes for Grilled Blackened Tilapia

This recipe is based on my oven baked blackened tilapia which is based on an Aaron MaCorgo Jr (Food Networks “Big Daddy”) recipe. This man can cook and is a joy to watch, highly recommended. The original recipe was pan-fried, I converted that to oven and now using it on the grill.

I used a Brinkmann Steel Flexible Grilling Basket that cost about $15 (I bought it myself) at Home Depot. You can also get one at Amazon for a few dollars more. Highly rated by Consumers Report.

You can also use a preheated griddle or even directly grill on the grates, but the fish might fall apart with even minimal sticking.

Since the fish is thin and we are using high heat, you can cook with the grill lid open or closed. It should not matter much.

Lastly the heat. I use 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper here. This was a 7/10 hot. I suspect most people will want 1/4 teaspoon. I have done this with 1/4 teaspoon which is a 3-4/10 heat level. The original recipe used a full teaspoon which I did once. It was what I call manly man level of 10/10.

Preheat grill to as high as it will go. For me, that is 600+ degrees. If using a griddle instead of a grill basket, then place it on the grill to preheat.

Combine 3 tablespoons paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon onion powder, one teaspoon black pepper, one teaspoon dry thyme, one teaspoon dry oregano and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Also, add cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon for normal (3/10 heat) 1/2 teaspoon for spicy (7/10) and one teaspoon for manly man 10/10 heat.

Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a microwave. About 15 seconds.

Brush both sides of tilapia with the melted butter.

Coat both sides of the tilapia with a generous amount of the rub. You won’t need all the rub.

Spray a flexible grill basket with a generous amount of PAM.

Load the tilapia in the grill basket. Alternatively, if using a griddle then add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil to the preheated griddle. Do not use olive oil since it smokes at high temperatures.

Place the tilapia on preheated grill.  The lid may be open or closed. Grill for only 2 minutes. Flip and grill another 2 minutes. Use a watch with a second hand and do not overcook.

Done. Serve immediately.

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4.12 from 119 votes

Grilled Blackened Tilapia

Let's get some variety into our grill season. Healthy eating has never been so good or easy as this wonderfully spicy grilled blackened tilapia. Fire up the grill now.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time4 mins

Total Time14 mins

Author: DrDan

Servings/Adjustment: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound Tilapia
• 1 tablespoon butter

Blackening Rub

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dry thyme
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Preheat grill to as high as it will go. For me, that is 600+ degrees. If using a griddle instead of a grill basket, then place it on the grill to preheat.
• Combine 3 tablespoons paprika, one teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon onion powder, one teaspoon black pepper, one teaspoon dry thyme, one teaspoon dry oregano and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Also, add cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon for normal (3/10 heat) 1/2 teaspoon for spicy (7/10) and one teaspoon for manly man 10/10 heat.
• Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a microwave. About 15 seconds.
• Brush both sides of tilapia with the melted butter.
• Coat both sides of the tilapia with a generous amount of the rub. You don't need all the rub.
• Spray a flexible grill basket with a generous amount of PAM.
• Load the tilapia in the grill basket. Alternatively, if using a griddle then add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil to the preheated griddle. Do not use olive oil since it smokes at high temperatures.
• Place the tilapia on preheated grill. The lid may be open or closed. Grill for only 2 minutes. Flip and grill another 2 minutes. Use a watch with a second hand and do not overcook.
• Done. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Tips:

1. Maybe grilled with the hood open or closed.
2. I use 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper here. This was a 7/10 hot. I suspect most people will want 1/4 teaspoon which is a 3-4/10 heat level. The original recipe used a full teaspoon which I did once. It was what I call manly man level of 10/10.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Blackened Tilapia

Amount Per Serving

Calories 154 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 5g 8%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 65mg 22%

Sodium 546mg 23%

Potassium 394mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 23g 46%

Vitamin A 9%

Vitamin C 2%

Calcium 3%

Iron 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.

Originally published May 11, 2013