Pompano fish is such a great fish to cook, especially if you have company, because they look and taste amazing. Their silvery skin doesn’t need scaling, grilling beautifully with a fine flake and an almost sweet flavor. Grilled pompano is also super easy to prepare. It is easy to eat off the bone and can go on the grill whole, so it takes hardly any prep time. If you can find pompano at your local grocery store or seafood market, I highly recommend snapping them up for your next cookout. 👌
Recipe Ingredients
Pompano Fish – The fresher, the better. If you live near the ocean and can find wild caught, get them! If not, you may be able to find this treat of a fish frozen.Lemon – The acidic citrus notes complement grilled fish beautifully.Herbs and Spices – Garlic, ginger, basil, parsley, and pepper flakes make a simple yet tasty combination of herbs and spices that allow the taste of the pompano fish to shine. ✨
How to Grill Pompano Fish
Prepare the Pompano
Clean – First, run water over fish inside and out. Next, dry the fish inside and out with paper towels.Add Cuts – Then, make 3-4 diagonal cuts on each side of the fish, right through the bone. Add 3-4 cuts in the opposite direction to create a crisscross pattern.Season the fish with salt and pepper and squeeze some lemon over it. (Photos 1-3)Chill – Place the fish on a cookie rack uncovered in the fridge while you prepare the marinade.Marinade – Mix all the spices thoroughly until they come together. You may add vegetable oil or water, whichever you prefer to make a paste. (Photo 4-6)Marinate Fish – Thoroughly coat the fish with the garlic mixture, gently flipping them back and forth until fully coated inside and out. Marinate the fish in the fridge for at least half an hour and up to 24 hours, if time permits.
Grill the Pompano
Prepare Grill – First, wipe down the grill grates with an oiled paper towel. Next, preheat the grill to medium-high heat.Grill the Fish – Once the grill is hot, lay the fish on it. Grill them for about 1-2 minutes on each side. (Photos 7-8)Next Step – Reduce heat, then cover the grill if you have a gas grill or leave it open if it’s a charcoal grill.Baste – As you cook, baste the fish with the spice mixture. Let them grill on each side for 2-3 minutes; you may have to add a minute or two for thicker fish. When the flesh is white and the juices run clear, it’s done.Serve – You can double-check the fish is fully cooked by cutting it near the bone. The fish is ready to eat when the meat closest to the bone is fully cooked!
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
I highly recommend preparing your pompano fish the day before you plan to grill. That way, it has plenty of time to soak up the marinade flavors. If you do, simply pull the marinating fish out of the fridge after 24 hours and pop it on the grill. Your fish will be ready in just a few minutes. 🙌
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve grilled pompano fish straight off the grill with a side of salsa verde. You can garnish it with sliced lemon and parsley to make it extra pretty. Store completely cooled pompano fish in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat grilled pompano fish, you can fire up the grill again and give them a minute or two on each side for that freshly grilled flavor. If you’re in a hurry, you can pop leftover fish in the microwave for a minute or two on low. To keep the fish moist, try slathering it with butter before you reheat it. 😋
What Goes with Grilled Pompano Fish
Grilled pompano fish tastes fantastic with so many things, but my favorite combination is a steaming bed of coconut rice and black bean and corn salad. I also like to have some salsa on the side, usually chimichurri or peri-peri sauce. You could also make this dish taste tropical by serving it up with black bean and corn salad, mango salsa, or pineapple salsa. Talk about an island escape on a plate! 🌴
More Drool-Worthy Fish Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Get out your grilling gear and round up some pompano for a fresh and delicious late summer grill-out. This fish tastes so good that you won’t want any other variety after you try it. 😉 Have you ever tried pompano fish? Let me know in the comments what you think about it. ❤️
