People often ask me, “How long should I grill my white fish on a plank?”
The answer is: It depends. Where are you located? What size of fish are you using? Are you fresh or frozen food?
Let’s look at each of these questions in turn.
Where Are You Located?
This question pops up frequently, and for good reason. If you are located near a large body of water, you have access to lots of fish. Baked, broiled, or steamed fish are all popular options when you are near a large body of water, as these methods of cooking do not require you to turn the fish over as often as grilling does.
When you’re located far from the water, like I am, it can be a bit more difficult to get your fill of fresh fish. It’s also important to keep in mind the size of the fish you will need, depending on where you are.
What Size Of Fish Are You Using?
The next question that comes up often is, “How big should I get my fish?” For example, people will ask, “Should I get a small, medium, or large fish?”
The answer is: It depends. How much food are you serving? What kind of atmosphere do you want to create?
If you’re serving a large group of people, it is generally best to get a larger fish. This way, everyone will have their fill. On the other hand, if you’re serving just your family or friends, a smaller fish will do just fine. It will keep a lid on the cost, too, if you get a small fish.
Are You Cooking It Fresh Or Frozen?
This question is similar to the previous one, but instead of asking about the size of the fish, it asks about whether you should cook it fresh or frozen. People sometimes get confused as to whether or not to pre-cook their fish before grilling it, so I’ll explain both options.
If you’re cooking your fish fresh, this generally means you’ll be taking it out of the water where it was caught and brought to you. You should plan on grilling it immediately after you catch it, or even as soon as you’ve cleaned it. This way, you can fully experience all the flavors and textures the fish has to offer.
Frozen fish can be stored for several months in a freezer, making it perfect for occasions when you don’t have the time to cook it fresh. Since it has been frozen, it already has been cooked through, so there’s no need to pre-heat it before grilling. You simply need to thaw it out before serving.
When Should You Grill Your Fish On A Plank?
It is important to keep in mind the time of day you will be grilling your fish. Some fish are best served at certain hours, depending on what they are. There are generally two factors at play here: the time of day, and the ambient temperature. The time of day is important because as the sun sets and the temperature drops, you may not want to grill your fish. The ambient temperature is important because some fish are more tender or tasty when cooked at certain temperatures, so you need to take these factors into consideration.
For instance, salmon is one of my favorite seafoods, and I also love grilling it. However, grilling salmon at home should be done very carefully. In most cases, salmon should be grilled or baked, not boiled. If you do decide to boil it, make sure you cut back on the amount of water you use. The reason being is that most seafoods contain lots of natural oils that dissolve in water. When you boil it, these oils will separate and rise to the top, where you can easily remove them before serving. This means your salmon will have a very strong fishy flavor, which you might not like. The same goes for trout and whitefish. They are both very tasty, but you should only grill them when they are very fresh. If you decide to freeze them, defrost them first before grilling. Some individuals even recommend cooking trout and whitefish together. This way, you get the best of both worlds – the crispiness from the trout, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture from the whitefish.
When you are deciding when to grill your fish, keep in mind these tips so you can get the most out of it.