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Quick Zesty Grilled Fish Recipe with Mango Salsa 20-Minute Delight

quick zesty grilled fish - featured image

A fresh and flavorful grilled fish recipe paired with a bright, sweet, and spicy mango salsa, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy evenings or summer dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 fillets of firm white fish (like cod, tilapia, or mahi-mahi) – about 6 ounces (170g) each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin if you can)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the fish marinade: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until well blended (about 2 minutes).
  2. Marinate the fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Gently coat each fillet with the marinade, making sure both sides are covered. Let it rest for 10 minutes while you prep the salsa. Do not marinate longer than 15 minutes.
  3. Make the mango salsa: In another bowl, combine diced mango, chopped red bell pepper, minced red onion, jalapeño (if using), and herbs. Pour over 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine and set aside (about 5 minutes).
  4. Heat the grill pan: Place your grill pan over medium-high heat and let it get hot. Lightly oil the pan with a brush or spray to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill the fish: Place the marinated fillets skin-side down (if the fish has skin) on the hot grill pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and has nice grill marks.
  6. Serve immediately: Plate the grilled fish and spoon generous amounts of mango salsa over the top. Garnish with extra lime wedges if desired.

Notes

Use firm, fresh fish that holds together well on the grill. Pat fish dry before marinating to get a good sear. Do not marinate longer than 15 minutes to avoid ‘cooking’ the fish with acid. Flip fish only once to prevent breaking. If fish sticks to the pan, give it more time to release naturally. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Mango salsa can be prepped ahead but add lime juice and salt just before serving for freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled fish, mango salsa, quick recipe, zesty fish, summer dinner, healthy fish recipe, easy fish recipe, tropical salsa