Top 5 Marinades for Grilling Tilapia
As the trend grows away from consuming meat and chicken, grilling tilapia seems to have become a new recipe in everyone’s home. Tilapia is a very mild flavored fresh water fish and it is very tender, yet it will hold its shape on the grill. This is a fish that you will want to marinade prior to grilling. Tilapia should only soak in the marinade for a maximum of 20-30 minutes or the seasoning can easily overpower the natural flavor. Here are five favorites of marinades that are simple to make and don’t require many additional ingredients to what is probably already in your home.
Honey Soy Marinade for Grilling Tilapia
3 Tbsp of honey
3 Tbsp of Soy sauce
3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 clove of garlic
First mince the garlic up as fine as you can and then mix in the honey, Soy sauce and Balsamic vinegar. Put marinade in a shallow dish with the Tilapia to soak for 20 minutes.
Grilling Tilapia Tabasco Marinade
2 cloves of garlic
½ of a lemon
½ cups of parsley
¼ cup of Balsamic vinegar
¾ cup of olive oil
½ tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp dried oregano
Tabasco-as many dashes as you desire to flavor
First you will take your parsley and cut it up very tiny and then mince the garlic. Place the parsley and garlic in a glass jar. Squeeze in the lemon and then add in the Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, oregano and Tabasco. Put the lid on the jar and shake well. You may need to sample it a few times and add more Tabasco. Remember it’s possible to add Tabasco, not take away so start out light. Pour the marinade into a shallow dish, add the Tilapia and soak for 20 minutes.
Sesame Marinade for Grilling Tilapia
¼ cup Sesame oil
1 tsp Italian dressing
1 clove garlic
Black pepper to season
Mince the garlic up and add the Sesame oil, Italian dressing and mix. Season with mixture with black pepper and pour in a shallow dish. Add the Tilapia and soak for up to 30 minutes. This is a milder flavor so it can soak a bit longer than the previous two.
Grilling Tilapia Citrus Marinade
2 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive oil
¼ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
¼ cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
2 Tbsp chili sauce
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
Squeeze your lime and orange to make the measured out juice. Add the EEVO, chili sauce salt and black pepper. Place in a shallow dish and marinade for 20 minutes.
Lemon Marinade for Grilling Tilapia
1 squeezed lemon
¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive oil
Salt to season
Black pepper to season
This is the simplest of the marinades. Squeeze your lemon, add the EEVO and stir. Add in salt and pepper to season. Place in a shallow dish and add your Tilapia. Allow to marinade for 20-30 minutes.
Side dish choices are generally on the healthier side. Grilling a vegetable medley on your grill while the fish is cooking is a great addition to the plate and adds a great deal of color to the presentation. Couscous, rice pilaf and risotto are the top picked additional side dish. Keep in mind that this fish cooks quickly. Generally less than 10 minutes on both sides is more than adequate. You do not want to overcook it. When grilling Tilapia watch for the meat to turn white and the juice to run clear to know when it is done.