Last Updated on October 12, 2020 by Babita
Grilled Pompano or Grilled Pomfret is a very easy recipe with minimum ingredients that is perfect for summertime and can be served as an entree or as an appetizer.
What is Pompano Fish
Pompano is known as Pomfret in Indian English. Locally in Mumbai it is know as Paphlet. It is one of the most popular and expensive fish. It is popular because this is an ocean fish which does not have a very fishy smell or flavor to it. The flesh of pompano is firm and white, it can be cooked in different ways such as baking, steaming, poaching, frying as well as use it in a curry.
Where do you Shop for Pompano
If you are looking for pompano you will very rarely find it in the supermarkets. However, you will find them in most Asian stores. In some Indian stores you can also find frozen Indian varieties. I usually buy all my seafood from our local Asian store. This pompano is priced at around $4 per pound or sometimes more depending on the variety of the fish
Varieties of Pompano (pomfret)
There are different varieties of pomfret, all equally delicious and flavorful. In India small silver pomfret is popular and affordable. You can find also find large silver pomfret which are mostly used by restaurants because of their size.
For this recipe I am using the Florida Pompano. This fish has thick, oily, silver and yellowish skin with firm white flesh (see pic below). It is flavor and taste is similar to the small silver pompano. It is great for grilling or baking. I love using it in a curry too.
Ingredients for Marinating Paphlet
1, 2lb whole pompano/pompret (cleaned and gutted)
2 tbsp red chili powder
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 tbsp lemon juice
3-4 tbsp water
salt as per taste
oil for basting
Preparations for Grilling Pompano
Score (deep) the pompano on both sides diagonally. Rinse and set it aside.
In a mixing bowl combine chili powder, lemon juice, ginger, salt and water. Mix it well and generously apply it all over the pompano on both sides. Apply it to the insides (belly) of the pompano/pompret also.
Set the pompano aside and allow it to marinate in this mixture for 2 hours. If you have time, you can also marinate it overnight. Just keep it in the freezer.
Grease both sides of the fish grill basket with either Pam, canola or vegetable oil. Place the inside the basket.
Prep the grill by applying some oil on the grates. Once the grill temperature reaches around 350 to 400 degrees place the pompano on the grill. Cook the the fish for 10 mins on each sides.
Remove it from the grill, let it rest for 5 mins, and then cut it and serve it hot with some lemon wedges.
Useful suggestions:
- This is one tip I always mention because people are used to different levels of spice and heat; use Kashmiri chili powder if you don’t like it very spicy. This chili powder has less heat, but at the same time imparts beautiful red color when added to any food.
- I personally like to place the fish in a grilling basket because it is easier to handle. Since it is in the basket it also does not stick to the grates. The only thing to do is to prep the basket by applying oil on both sides.
Grilled Pompano | Grilled Pomfret
Grilled Pompano or Grilled Pomfret is an easy recipe with minimum ingredients that is perfect for summertime and can be served as an entree or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1, 2 lb whole pompano/pomfret (cleaned and gutted)
- 2 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3-4 tbsp water
- salt as per taste
- oil for basting and greasing
Instructions
- Score (deep) the pompano on both sides diagonally. Rinse and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl combine chili powder, lemon juice, ginger, salt and water. Mix it well and generously apply it all over the pompano on both sides. Apply it to the insides (belly) of the pompano/pomfret also.
- Set the pompano aside and allow it to marinate in this mixture for 2 hours. If you have time, you can also marinate it overnight. Just keep it in the freezer.
- Grease both sides of the fish grill basket with either Pam, canola or vegetable oil. Place the inside the basket.
- Remove it from the grill, let it rest for 5 mins. Cut into into 3 slices and serve it hot with some lemon wedges.
Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 60Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 352mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 2gSugar 1gProtein 1g
BabsProjects.com provides nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BabsProjects.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, please remember these are estimates only.
This dish sounds so good! I have never tried that type of fish before. Honestly, I’ve never even heard of it lol
My goodness, this is absolutely a delicious looking recipe. My husband loves anything grilled & he is very much interested in spicy foods & I am pretty sure he would love this grilled pompano so much.
Im frm Florida so we never stop grilling 🙂 This looks delicious – I don’t think we have ever grilled this fish.
This dish looks delicious. I love fish dishes and I know that they are really good for you.
This looks so good. I have never tried Pompano before. I love to try new foods. I am going to look for this in the store next time.
Ilove fish this one is delicious i want to try this with fried rice. thanks for sharing the ingredients
I love seafood! Im going to have to check out this fish-looks good.
That looks so good. I’ll be the first to admit I am not a big fish fan. But this looks super good! My husband would love this!
Yummy.. Mouth watering. I love fish
Grilled pompano is so delicious. I could live on it for my whole life. I love how you prepared the fish for grilling. I usually do a spice rub too and then brush some garlic butter over the fish while grilling.
I know that fish! My mom loves to grill it, yum!
I am not a big fan of fish, but this doesn’t sound bad!
Wow that definitely sounds good. If I can manage to find some I’ll have to grill it up and see how the family likes it.
This looks and sounds yummy. Snapper is the only fish I have ever tried and that was last week. I enjoyed and would love to try pompano next.
This looks yummlicious👏👏
This looks just like flounder. It sounds like it’s similar.
My goodness, that looks amazing! I wonder if I have any of these kinds of fish locally…
I have never heard of this fish. I’m not sure where I would find it but it does look good.
I love fish and that looks delicious. I have to try this.
Wow, that looks delicious. We grill all year long in Southern California so I just may have to try it.
It sounds like it’s worth the extra money, huh? I Had never heard of this kind of fish before, but I will be on the lookout for it when I am in the city.