Video:Tips for Grilling Fish

Transcript:Tips for Grilling Fish

Hi, I'm Krystyna Rittichier with About.com, and today I'll show you some tips for grilling fish.

Use Wood Chips to Give Fish a Smoky Flavor

Fish is a meat which works great with the smoky flavor derived from grilling. No matter what type of fish you are grilling, there is a way to make it taste great on the grill. If you are cooking using a charcoal grill, there will be a naturally smoky flavor imparted to the meat. However, if you are cooking using a gas grill, you may have to add soaked wood chips to the grill in order to impart that smoky flavor. You can also use wood chips in a charcoal grill to amp up the smoky taste.

Grill Thicker Cuts of Fish

While choosing a fish fillet or steak to cook directly on the grill, you are better off using a thicker cut of fish known as steaks, or a whole fish. Thinner cuts can tend to fall apart making it more difficult to keep them from slipping through the grill rack. If you want to cook a thinner cut of fish, place a sheet of aluminum foil on the grill rack before placing the fish on the grill. Almost all fish is flaky, so it is important it to grease the grill rack before placing the fish on the grill. Any oil will work for this, and to ensure the fish does not stick, you can add oil directly to the fish as well.

Preheat Grill Before Adding Fish

Make sure to preheat your grill completely before placing the fish on the grill. The hotter you can get the grill the better, because the faster you heat the fish through, the more moist the fish will be. Ensuring that the fish is completely cooked before serving is vital. Undercooked fish can be dangerous to eat, and it does not taste good either. Most fish cooks very quickly, so to avoid burning it you need to ensure the fish cooks evenly. When choosing fillets to grill, make sure to buy the most evenly cut fillets possible.

Cook Fish Evenly and Keep it From Drying Out

You know that your fish is cooked when the entire fish has achieved an opaque, flaky consistency. If there are any parts of the meat which are glossy or translucent, the fish is not cooked. While cooking the fish, it is helpful to keep lemon juice or melted butter on hand to ensure the meat does not become overly dry. If you are cooking a whole fish, you can stuff it with lemon slices to give it flavor, maintain moisture, and help the fish to cook more quickly. Remember, if you are using butter on the grill, butter burns fast. It's best to use the butter within a couple minutes before you take the fish off the grill.

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