How to Cook Walleye on the Grill: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Cook Walleye on the Grill
Walleye is a delicious and versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. But if you’re looking for a foolproof way to cook walleye that will produce moist, flaky, and flavorful fish, grilling is the way to go.
Grilling walleye is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to know to get it right. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of grilling walleye, from choosing the right fish to preparing it for the grill. We’ll also give you some tips for grilling walleye so that it comes out perfectly every time.
So whether you’re a seasoned griller or you’re just getting started, read on for all the information you need to know about grilling walleye.
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| Step | Instructions | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat your grill to medium heat. | If you’re using a charcoal grill, build a medium-hot fire. If you’re using a gas grill, preheat to medium heat. |
| 2 | Oil the grill grates. | This will help prevent the walleye from sticking to the grates. |
| 3 | Season the walleye fillets with salt and pepper. | You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. |
| 4 | Place the walleye fillets on the grill. | Cook the walleye fillets for 6-8 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through. |
| 5 | Serve the walleye fillets immediately. | Enjoy! |
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Choosing the Right Walleye
When choosing a walleye to grill, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Size
The ideal size for a walleye to grill is between 1 and 2 pounds. Walleyes that are too small will be dry and tough, while walleyes that are too large will be difficult to cook evenly.
Freshness
The freshest walleye will have bright, clear eyes and red gills. The flesh should be firm and springy to the touch. If the walleye has a strong fishy smell, it is not fresh and should not be eaten.
Species
There are two main species of walleye: the yellow walleye and the sauger. Yellow walleye are found in the Great Lakes and the northern United States, while saugers are found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Both species of walleye are delicious when grilled, but they have slightly different flavors. Yellow walleye has a more mild flavor, while sauger has a stronger, more pronounced flavor.
Preparing the Walleye
Once you have chosen the perfect walleye, it is time to prepare it for grilling.
Cleaning
The first step is to clean the walleye. To do this, rinse the fish inside and out with cold water. Then, use a sharp knife to remove the scales. You can do this by starting at the tail and working your way up to the head. Once the scales are removed, cut the fins off and remove the gills.
Marinading
Marinading is an optional step, but it can help to add flavor to the walleye. There are many different marinades you can use, but some of the most popular include:
- Lemon-pepper marinade: This marinade is made with lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, and salt.
- Garlic-herb marinade: This marinade is made with garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, and salt.
- Teriyaki marinade: This marinade is made with soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and garlic.
To marinate the walleye, place the fish in a shallow dish or bowl. Pour the marinade over the fish and turn to coat. Cover the dish or bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Seasoning
Before grilling the walleye, you will need to season it. The simplest way to do this is to sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
Grilling the Walleye
Grilling walleye is a relatively simple process. Here are the steps involved:
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent the fish from sticking.
3. Place the walleye fillets on the grill.
4. Cook the walleye for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the fish is cooked through.
5. Serve the walleye immediately.
Tips for grilling walleye:
- To check if the walleye is cooked through, insert a fork into the thickest part of the fish. The fish is done when the meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- If you are grilling the walleye whole, cook it for 10-12 minutes per side, or until the fish is cooked through.
- Baste the walleye with marinade or melted butter while it is grilling to help keep it moist.
- Serve the walleye with your favorite sides, such as grilled vegetables, rice, or potatoes.
Grilled walleye is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this popular fish. By following these tips, you can cook the perfect walleye every time.
Here are some additional tips for grilling walleye:
- Use a firm, thick cut of walleye for grilling. This will help the fish to stay intact and not fall apart on the grill.
- Grill the walleye over indirect heat. This will help to prevent the fish from overcooking and drying out.
- Baste the walleye with marinade or melted butter while it is grilling to help keep it moist.
- Serve the walleye immediately after grilling. This will help to retain the fish’s flavor and juices.
With these tips, you can easily grill the perfect walleye every time. So what are you waiting for? Get grilling!
3. Grilling the Walleye
When grilling walleye, it is important to cook it over medium heat to prevent the fish from drying out. The ideal temperature for grilling walleye is between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Time
The amount of time it takes to grill walleye will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets. For thinner fillets, cook for 4-5 minutes per side. For thicker fillets, cook for 6-7 minutes per side.
Technique
To grill walleye, start by preheating your grill to medium heat. Brush the fillets with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the fillets on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Tips
- To prevent the fish from sticking to the grill, lightly oil the grates before cooking.
- If you are grilling multiple fillets at once, stagger them so that they do not overlap. This will help to prevent the fish from steaming and becoming soggy.
- Baste the fish with melted butter or olive oil halfway through cooking to help keep it moist.
4. Serving the Walleye
Once the walleye is cooked, it can be served immediately. Here are a few tips for serving walleye:
- Plating: Walleye can be served on a bed of rice, vegetables, or salad.
- Garnishing: Garnish the walleye with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or chopped tomatoes.
- Sauces: Serve the walleye with a variety of sauces, such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or lemon butter sauce.
Grilling walleye is a delicious and easy way to cook this versatile fish. By following these tips, you can cook perfectly grilled walleye every time.
Here are some additional tips for grilling walleye:
- Use a firm, freshwater fish like walleye for grilling.
- Grill the fish over indirect heat to prevent it from drying out.
- Baste the fish with butter or oil to keep it moist.
- Grill the fish until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the fish immediately with your favorite sides and sauces.
How do I prepare walleye for grilling?
To prepare walleye for grilling, you will need to:
1. Clean the walleye. Rinse the walleye fillets under cold water and remove any scales or bones.
2. Marinate the walleye. Marinate the fillets in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
4. Grill the walleye. Grill the fillets for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
What temperature should I grill walleye at?
The ideal temperature for grilling walleye is medium heat, or about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to ensure that the fish cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.
How long do I cook walleye on the grill?
The cooking time for walleye will depend on the thickness of the fillets. For thinner fillets, cook for 5-7 minutes per side. For thicker fillets, cook for 8-10 minutes per side.
What is the best way to tell if walleye is done?
The best way to tell if walleye is done is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The fish is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also check for doneness by gently pressing on the fish with a fork. The fish should flake easily when it is done.
What are some tips for grilling walleye?
Here are a few tips for grilling walleye:
- Use a high-quality grilling oil, such as olive oil or canola oil.
- Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will help to keep the fish moist and flavorful.
- Grill the fish over medium heat. This will help to prevent the fish from drying out.
- Flip the fish only once during grilling. This will help to keep the fish from falling apart.
- Baste the fish with the marinade or melted butter while grilling. This will help to keep the fish moist and flavorful.
- Serve the fish immediately after grilling. This will help to keep the fish warm and flavorful.
What are some common mistakes people make when grilling walleye?
Here are a few common mistakes people make when grilling walleye:
- Not using a high-quality grilling oil. This can cause the fish to stick to the grill and dry out.
- Not marinating the fish. This can result in a bland and tasteless fish.
- Grilling the fish over high heat. This can cause the fish to dry out and become tough.
- Flipping the fish too often. This can also cause the fish to dry out and become tough.
- Not basting the fish. This can cause the fish to dry out and become bland.
- Serving the fish immediately after grilling. This can cause the fish to lose its heat and become cold and soggy.
In this blog post, we have discussed how to cook walleye on the grill. We have covered everything from choosing the right fish to preparing it for grilling. We have also provided you with some tips and tricks for grilling walleye perfectly.
We hope that you have found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.
Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:
- Walleye is a delicious and versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways.
- When grilling walleye, it is important to choose a fish that is at least 1 inch thick.
- Walleye can be grilled whole or filleted.
- The best way to grill walleye is to cook it over indirect heat for about 10-12 minutes per side.
- Walleye can be served with a variety of sauces, such as tartar sauce, lemon butter sauce, or pesto sauce.
We hope you enjoy grilling walleye!
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