Grilled Cajun tilapia is an easy twist on a summer BBQ. Tilapia tossed in a spicy, Old Bay blend grilled and then served with a grilled lemon and green onion relish. It is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy.
We are looking down a solid 5 days of summer weather here in Illinois!
I could not be more excited because that means grilling season is here!
During quarantine time, my friend who is sheltering at a home shared with her 2 kids and in-laws told me that she grills all the meals.
In my experience, growing up and in our house, it is usually the dad doing all the grilling.
She told me she does all the grilling because:
- It is a hot grill and kids cannot come near a hot grill.
- You get to drink a beer and have peace and quiet for as long as the food takes to cook.
That is why my friends, I will be grilling all summer long.
I just experimented with grilled BBQ ribs over the weekend. The ribs were on the grill for an hour an a half! AN HOUR AND A HALF OF QUIET AND SOLITUDE.
I know Father’s Day is around the corner.
Maybe let the Dad’s do their grilling thing for that day. Orrrr maybe say, “I got the grilling today, dear.”
You can trick them into thinking a present for you is really a present for them!
My Dad is a huge seafood fan. I usually bust out some sort of spicy mussel recipe for him or make homemade pizzas.
This year, it is grilled Cajun tilapia with this sweet, sour, spicy lemon, garlic, honey, caper, grilled onion relish situation. Tilapia is tossed with a blend of Old Bay, cayenne, smoked paprika, onion, and garlic and then quickly grilled over high heat.
While the fish cooks, grill some sliced lemons and green onions. Squeeze out the caramelized lemon juice, chop the green onions, and then toss them with honey, garlic, olive oil, and capers.
The interplay of the sweet and spicy flavors is amazing.
Tilapia is basically a blank slate and this is an easy way to utilize pantry staples to make a special grilled meal at home.
Grilled Cajun Tilapia
Easy, spicy, and quickly grilled Cajun Tilapia with a sweet, honey and grilled green onion relish on top.
Ingredients
- FOR THE FISH:
- 4, 4oz tilapia filets
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- olive oil for the grill
- FOR THE RELISH:
- 2 lemons, cut in half width-wise
- 4 green onions
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp capers
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Preheat all burners on your gas grill to high. Once the temp reads 425F, it is ok to add the fish.
- Pat each piece of fish dry using paper towels. Mix all the dry spices together in a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle each fillet with the blend and use your hands to rub the spices into each side of the fish.
- Lightly oil the grill grates or use an olive-oil mist spray. Cook the fish for about 7 minutes on each side, until the fish releases from them grill grate.
- Add the green onions and lemons (cut side down) to the oiled grill, cook for about 3-5 minutes then remove. Chop all the green and white parts of the onion. Add the chopped grilled green onion, juice from 2 lemon halves, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, parsley, and capers to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Remove the fish once cooked on both sides. I find a spatula works just fine, no need for a fancy fish grill basket.
- Serve the fish with a few tbsp of the relish on top along with an extra squeeze of the grilled lemon juice.
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