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 ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper here. This was a 7/10 hot. I suspect most people will want ¼ teaspoon. I have done this with ¼ 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.
Other Great Tilapia Options
Oven Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Easy Grilled Tilapia with Paprika
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 ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Also, add cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon for normal (3/10 heat) ½ 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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Grilled Blackened Tilapia
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
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
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 ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Also, add cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon for normal (3/10 heat) ½ 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:
- Maybe grilled with the hood open or closed.
- I use ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper here. This was a 7/10 hot. I suspect most people will want ¼ 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
Originally published May 11, 2013
Jason
Thank you so much for your beautiful recipe, i just finished making Tilapia on the barbecue using your rub recipe and it's now gone. Keep up the good work in the kitchen.
NickL
The last time, the spices stuck to my hand, the plate and less so the fish. What am I doing wrong to cause this?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Nick,
Welcome to the blog.
A couple of things will help. Give the butter a few minutes to firm up on the fish. Be sure some butter is on the plate. Put it on and pat with a spoon. Flip with a fork. And move to the grill basket with a fork. Don't be afraid to add a bit more to "patch" it or just more flavor.
Dan
Alex Jones
I've cooked this numerous time in a cast iron on the stovetop, but always missed that grilled flavor. Finally bought a grill grate and turned out phenomenal. We put ours in tacos with some slaw mix that I toss with some quick and easy ingredients, my wife makes an amazing jalapeno cilantro and lime dressing to top it with. One of our favorite meals! Great recipe
Nick L
Well, tried this for this first time and I’m not the home cook specialist. Used a cast iron pan, on the gas grill, no paprika but everything else. Turned out great!! Better half rarely if every eats fish - but liked this and would consider it again. Thank you!
Can this work with other fish besides Tilapia?
Alex Jones
I have done it with other white fish such as cod, but I wouldn't recommend using a basket for this but rather a griddle style pan on the grill
Dorothy Duncan
Can this be cooked on a stovetop?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Dorothy,
Welcome to the blog.
This should pan fry fine. About 3 minutes or so per side depending on the thickness.
This recipe is based on my oven-baked recipe which is based on a stovetop Food Network recipe. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aaron-mccargo-jr/big-daddys-blackened-tilapia-recipe-1948646
Dan
Jaime
What other spices can you recommend besides cayenne pepper? That's way too hot for me. Can't handle it. Maybe chili powder or cumin?? I'm new at this.
DrDan
Hi Jaime,
Welcome to the blog.
The cayenne adds very little taste, mostly just heat. So skip the cayenne and don't substitute.
Dan
Bruce
This was AWESOME. It’s -20 here today so my grill wouldn’t fully heat up so I just kept an eye on it and ended up doing 10 minutes per side! But it worked out great anyway. Thanks so much.
DrDan
Hi Bruce,
Welcome to the blog.
That is some serious grilling. Glad it worked well even at low temperature. I grill all winter but it rarely gets to zero here. I will add a few minutes to a burger or steak.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Crista
Could this be placed in foil and put on the grill?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Crista,
Welcome to the blog.
I never cook fish in foil but it probably would work. It is just fish with seasoning but this has nice surface that won't be there in foil.
Dan