Grilled Blackened Tilapia

Wonderfully spicy grill tilapia. Keep them coming back for more with this blackened tilapia. Healthy eating has never been so good nor so simple and easy.

Based on my Oven Baked Blacken Tilapia, it only takes 2 minutes per side to get a grilled masterpiece. I have included options for cooking tools (basket vs. griddle) and for levels of heat.

The main complaint about the oven baked tilapia was the lack of "crustiness" so this has been on the to do list for a while. Well this solved that issue. Give it a try, you will love it.

Goes great with my Simple Tarter Sauce.

Rating

 This is the easiest 5 in a long time. Definitely the leader for the best recipe of the year...

Notes
I used a Brinkmann Steel Flexible Grilling Basket that cost about $15 (I bought it myself) at Home Depot. You can also get one at Amazon for a few dollars more. Highly rated by Consumers Report.

Preheat grill to as high as it will go. For me that is about 600 degrees. If using a griddle instead of a grill basket, then place it on the grill to preheat.

Combine 3 T paprika, 1 t salt, 1 T onion powder,1 t black pepper, 1 t dry thyme, 1 t dry oregano and 1/2 t garlic powder. Also add cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp for normal (3/10 heat) 1/2 tsp for spicy (7/10) and 1 tsp for manly man.

 Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia.

 Melt 1 T butter in a microwave. About 15 seconds.

 Brush both sides of tilapia with the melted butter.

 Coat both sides of the tilapia with a generous amount of the rub.

 Spray a flexible grill basket with a generous amount of PAM.

 Load the tilapia in the grill basket. Alternatively, if using a griddle then add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil to grill. Do not use olive oil since it smokes at high temperatures.

Place the tilapia on preheated grill and close lid. Grill for only 2 minutes. Flip and grill another 2 minutes. Use a watch with a second hand and do not over cook.

 Done. Serve immediately.

Grilled Blackened Tilapia

by Dan Mikesell May-12-2013

Wonderfully spicy grill tilapia. Keep them coming back for more with this blackened tilapia. Healthy eating has never been so good nor so simple and easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound tilapia
• 1 T butter

Blackening Rub

• 3 T paprika
• 1 t salt
• 1 T onion powder
• 1 t black pepper
• 1 t dry thyme
• 1 t dry oregano
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/4 t to 1 t cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

1) Preheat grill to as high as it will go. For me that is about 600 degrees.2) Combine 3 T paprika, 1 t salt, 1 T onion powder,1 t black pepper, 1 t dry thyme, 1 t dry oregano and 1/2 t garlic powder. Also add cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp for normal (3/10 heat) 1/2 tsp for spicy (7/10) and 1 tsp for manly man.3) Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of tilapia. 4) Melt 1 T butter in a microwave. About 15 seconds. Brush both sides of tilapia with the melted butter.5) Coat both sides of the tilapia with a generous amount of the rub.6) Spray a flexible grill basket with a generous amount of PAM.7) Load the tilapia in the grill basket. Alternatively, if using a griddle then add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil to grill. Do not use olive oil since it smokes at high temperatures.8) Place the tilapia on preheated grill and close lid. Grill for only 2 minutes. Flip and grill another 2 minutes. Use a watch with a second hand and do not over cook.9) Serve immediately.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 4 mins Total time: 14 mins Yield: 4 servings

Updated

May 12 2013

Dan Mikesell