Description
Want to turn your fresh opelu into an amazing meal? This simple grilled recipe lets the fish’s natural flavors shine through and keeps the meat tender and moist.
This grilled opelu recipe celebrates the fish’s natural taste with a light citrus marinade that makes its rich flavor even better. The recipe works great for beginners. The fish’s high-fat content helps create a juicy, tasty dish that you can prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 whole opelu fish.
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice.
- ½ cup olive oil.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Clean and gut your opelu if needed. Rinse the fish inside and out.
- Create Marinade: Mix lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl until combined.
- Score the Fish: Cut ½-inch deep slits about 1-inch apart on both sides of each fish.
- Marinate: Put fish in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Let them rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare Grill: Heat your grill to medium-hot. Clean the grates and oil them well.
- Grill: Put fish on grates 4-6 inches above heat, with 3 inches between each piece. Close the hood and cook until flesh turns opaque and stays moist inside. Thinner fish need 6-8 minutes, thicker ones take 10-15 minutes.
Notes
Your opelu is ready when the flesh turns opaque but stays moist.
You can baste with leftover marinade while cooking for extra flavor.
The grill lid should stay closed to keep temperature steady.
Medium-high heat works best for gas grills throughout cooking.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling