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Need a healthy dinner in a flash? This 4-ingredient grilled haddock recipe is lightly seasoned, naturally buttery and flavorful, and ready in 10 minutes or less!
This easy 4-ingredient grilled haddock recipe is the answer when you need a simple, yet show-stopping seafood dish during the week or for dinner guests.
This naturally flavorful fish is enhanced with salt and pepper, then grilled to buttery, flaky perfection in 10 minutes or less! Best of all, grilled haddock pairs beautifully with a wide range of healthy side dishes, making it the star of an impressive multi-dish meal that’s ready in minutes.
What is haddock?
Haddock is a type of saltwater white fish found in the cold coastal waters of the North Atlantic. It’s known for its delicately sweet taste and firm, yet flaky flesh that holds together when grilled, baked, fried, and even smoked.
Haddock vs. cod
Cod and haddock are two different species of fish, but belong to the same family of marine fish called Gadidae. While they share many of the same qualities and can be used interchangeably in recipes, haddock’s flavor profile is slightly stronger and sweeter, and its flesh is a bit leaner and firmer than cod.
If you have extra haddock filets in your fridge or freezer, feel free to use them instead of cod in this air fryer cod recipe.
Why this recipe works
- Quick and easy. The fish is lightly seasoned with salt and pepper before it’s cooked on the grill in under 10 minutes. You don’t need any special tools or ingredients, and the cooking methods are foolproof!
- Many health benefits. Haddock has a very low mercury content and is an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamins D, B6, and B1.
- Easy to love! Haddock’s slightly sweet, mild oceanic saltwater flavor is the reason why it’s so easy to love and a go-to choice over the more fishier-tasting fish species.
- A light and healthy dinner. Grilled haddock is light and never greasy, and goes well with almost anything. It’s a must-have for your summer grilling repertoire!
Ingredients needed
This list of ingredients is as simple as can be! Here is everything you need:
- Haddock. Preferably wild haddock. Compared to farm-raised, wild-caught fish is more flavorful and has a firmer texture (which is better for grilling). You can use frozen haddock filets, but they need to be thawed in the fridge before cooking.
- Olive oil. Rub the oil on the fish aon the grill grates.
- Salt and pepper. This is all you need to season and refine haddock’s naturally buttery-sweet flavor profile.
- Lemon slices and parsley. Serving the fish with fresh lemon and parsley brightens the flavors and gives it an irresistible presentation.
How to cook haddock on the grill
Easy is an understatement when it comes to cooking haddock filets on the grill. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1 – Season the fish
Pat the haddock filets dry with a paper towel. Rub both sides with a layer of olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Grill
Grill the haddock filets on a preheated grill until the sides turn slightly opaque. Flip, and continue cooking until fully opaque.
Step 3 – Garnish and serve
Transfer the filets to a serving plate. Feel free to brush them with more oil if they look dry. Afterward, garnish the fish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon, then serve. Enjoy!
Tips to make the best recipe
- Start with the freshest fish you can find. When selecting your haddock filets, look for firm filets with moist flesh and a fresh smell.
- Set the fish on the kitchen counter for 10 minutes before grilling. If the filets aren’t at room temperature, it can lead to uneven cooking and dry, chewy haddock.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high (375°F to 400°F). This high temperature will give the fish a nice sear and a gorgeous char-grilled finish without sticking.
- Grease the grill grates. Remember to grease the grill grates with olive oil after preheating the grill. If you skip this part, the bottom of the haddock filets may stick to the grates.
- Try not to overcook the fish! Do not walk away from the grill for too long because haddock cooks very quickly. This fish can go from melt-in-your-mouth moist to dried-out and rubbery in a split second.
What to serve with this dish
Make this a well-rounded and healthy dinner by serving the haddock filets with cooked vegetables, like green beans, asparagus, and sauteed spinach. Add some starchy sides, like basmati rice, orzo salad, sauteed potatoes, and grilled sweet potatoes, for substance, then enjoy!
Alternatively, skip the sides altogether and wrap the slices of grilled haddock in tortillas with coleslaw, spicy mayo, and your go-to fish taco toppings. Voila! Easy fish tacos with haddock.
Flavor variations
A sprinkle of salt and pepper is all it takes to bring out haddock’s naturally mild flavor. However, its simplicity also makes haddock a great match for even more exciting seasonings, such as:
- Lemon pepper
- Blackening seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Old Bay
- Greek seasoning (similar to what we do in Greek chicken!).
- Italian seasoning
- Taco seasoning
Sprinkle your favorite blend over both sides of the fish filets, then grill as normal.
Storage instructions
To store: Once the grilled fish has cooled to room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Freeze the cooked and cooled fish in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat: The easiest way to reheat haddock without drying it out is by covering it and popping it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Grill. To cook the fish.
- Meat thermometer. To check that the internal temperature of the cooked fish is between 140ºF to 145°F.
More grilled fish recipes to try
Frequently asked questions
Like most white fish, haddock benefits from quick, high-heat cooking. While the exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your filets, aim to grill the fish for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
To test for doneness, pierce the thick end of the fish with a fork, then twist gently. If the meat flakes easily and is opaque all the way through, it’s done. Or, use a meat thermometer and check that the internal temperature is between 140ºF to 145°F.
Grilling haddock in foil can make this recipe easier to clean up but it isn’t necessary. As long as the grill is hot enough and the grates are clean and oiled, the fish should not stick.
Grilled Haddock
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat down the fish with a paper towel to ensure there is no excess liquid
- Generously rub both sides of the fish with olive oil. Sprinkle the salt and pepper.
- Heat the grill to medium/high and ensure the grill is clean. Brush more oil over the top.
- Add the fish and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sides go slightly opaque. Flip the fish and cook for a further 3 minutes.
- Remove the fish from the grill and season with parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
