Blackening seasoning infuses the grouper with a subtly spicy flavor that hits all the right notes in this recipe for Blackened Grouper, and a quick sear in a cast-iron skillet locks in the fish’s briny sweetness for a truly delectable main dish.
My amazing Blackened Grouper recipe is a quick and easy seafood dish that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and is elegant enough for company as well as a weeknight dinner.
Blackening is a technique for cooking fish and other meats that involves coating the food in butter and a mixture of spices and herbs, then pan-searing it in an extremely hot cast-iron skillet to produce a brownish-black crispy and delectable crust. Chef Paul Prudhomme popularized blackening in New Orleans.
Grouper has a delicate flavor, and too much heat will obscure its natural sweetness. While there are many variations on blackened fish seasoning recipes, what distinguishes this one is a hint of brown sugar, which serves to balance out the spicier spices.
You can cook fish on the grill or in the oven, but I always blacken it in a cast-iron skillet.
How to make Grouper on the grill
Blackened Grouper 🔗
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1⁄4 cup smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 11⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 11⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
- 2 pounds grouper fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 lemons, halved crosswise
Instruction:
Preheat grill to high heat (400° to 450°). Preheat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on grill 15 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together paprika, thyme, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, mustard, and red pepper. Pour melted butter in a shallow dish. Dip each fillet in butter, turning to coat. Sprinkle both sides of fillets with spice mixture; pat gently to coat.
Add olive oil to skillet (oil should smoke); place fish in skillet. Cook, covered, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn, and cook, covered, until fish flakes easily with a fork, 3 to 4 minutes more. Carefully remove skillet from grill.
Place lemons cut side down on grill. Cook, covered, until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with fish.
FAQ
How do you cook blackened grouper in a skillet?
Instructions: Rub Cajun Spice Mix on both sides of the fillets, add 5 fillets to a large nonstick skillet that has been heated over medium-high heat with 2 1/2 teaspoons of oil and 2 1/2 teaspoons of butter, and cook for 4 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or to the desired degree of doneness.
What does blackened grouper taste like?
The Best Way To Cook Grouper [10 Amazing Grouper Recipes]Grouper Caprese, Grilled Grouper with Oranges and Olives, Lemon-Butter Grouper Fish Tacos, Pecan Crusted Grouper, Blackened Grouper, Smoky Grouper with Spinach.