Easy Thai Grilled Fish Fillets

By
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/5/21
Easy Thai Grilled Fish Fillets on a white plate, lime wedges

The Spruce / Loren Runion
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
552 Calories
22g Fat
33g Carbs
61g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 552
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 178mg 59%
Sodium 1755mg 76%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 61g
Vitamin C 126mg 628%
Calcium 154mg 12%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 1421mg 30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Creating amazing-tasting grilled fish starts with a delicious sauce. This Thai recipe combines soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, lime juice, and red chili pepper to make a mixture that acts as both marinade and sauce, glaze, or dipping sauce. It will work with all types of fish, whether fillet or steak, salmon or sole. Marinate the fish briefly in this sauce, heat up your grill, and you are only a few minutes away from a flavorful fish dish that is easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Serve with jasmine rice and grilled vegetables.

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Ingredients

For the Marinade/Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, loosely packed

  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 1 red chile, minced

For the Fish:

  • 4 to 6 mild white fish fillets, such as snapper or cod

  • Neutral oil

  • Lime or lemon wedges, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Easy Thai Grilled Fish Fillets ingredients, white fish, oil, lime wedges, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, chile

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  2. In a bowl, stir soy, oyster, and fish sauces, brown sugar, garlic, lime juice, and red chile together until sugar dissolves.

    soy, fish, and oyster sauces mixed with brown sugar, garlic, lime juice, and chiles in a small white bowl, stirred with a metal spoon

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  3. Place fish fillets in a flat-bottomed dish and pour half of the marinade over. Turn fillets in sauce to coat all sides. Reserve the rest of the marinade for later.

    white fish fillets in a marinade in a large casserole

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  4. Allow fish to marinate for at least 10 minutes while warming up the grill. It's best to make the grill hot but not blazing, or it will burn the tender flesh of the fish. You should hear a nice sizzle when you place the fish on the grill.

  5. Lightly brush fish with some oil.

    brush the fish with oil, fish in a casserole

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  6. Place fish on grill and let sear undisturbed for at least 2 minutes. Grill fish for an additional 3 to 6 minutes per side (depending on thickness), until fish flakes easily and inner flesh is no longer translucent. Avoid turning fish too soon or it may stick to grill. 

    white fish fillets on a grill

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  7. Heat up remaining marinade and use as a dip, glaze, or to spoon over fish.

    sauce for white fish, made from fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chiles, garlic and lime juice

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  8. Garnish with fresh lime wedges.

Tips

  • If you'd rather cook the fish in the oven, place the fish in a covered baking dish along with the marinade. Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily and the inner flesh is no longer translucent.
  • If the fish is too thin or delicate to grill. you may want to use a "fish cage" which makes flipping the fish easier. Another method is to place aluminum foil or banana leaves over the grill grates. Both the cage and the foil should be coated with oil to avoid sticking.