Ready for a new and simple way to take your fish to the next level? This fish marinade recipe is simple and yet seriously delicious, perfect with a firm fish like Hapuka. Great for the BBQ or grilling, this recipe is simple and keeps the fish moist and tender. Serve with our roasted heirloom carrot salad for a delicious healthy dinner. Let us show you how to whip up this fennel and lemon fish marinade.
Looking for quick and delicious seafood and fish recipes. Take a look at our Thai seafood salad, fish and veg pie, spicy New Zealand mussels or seafood chowder for your inspiration!
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Ingredients
Our fish marinade recipe contains some classic bold flavours that pair beautifully with white fish.
- Hapuka Fillets - per person portion approximately 180g. We highly recommend with fish that you find out what's sustainable and seasonally available in your region. Any firm flesh fish will work well with this recipe and cooking method. Get to know your local supplier or fish monger and they will be able to guide your selection.
- Fennel seeds - Aromatic seeds that bring a bold, fresh flavour to fish, they are also nutritious and may have a number of health benefits.
- Garlic
- Flaky salt - a good quality sea salt like Maldon work well.
- Ground black pepper.
- Chilli flakes - you can adjust the amount to your preference.
- Lemons - zest of two lemons and juice from one, to bring a fresh citrus flavour.
- Olive oil
- A bunch of fresh chapped parsley.
How to make a fish marinade.
Full of flavour with fennel seeds, garlic, chilli, lemon and parsley this marinade is absolutely delicious and perfect with fish.
We like to use a pestle and mortar, but you can also use a mini hand blender to create this marinade. Start by grinding and breaking up the fennel seeds a little. Then add the garlic and salt and grind into a paste.
Once you have a paste like consistency, add the pepper, chilli flakes, zest and lemon juice and olive, mix well.
The marinade can be prepped ahead and stored in an air tight container in the fridge, until required.
Once ready simply rub the marinade all over the fish and allow to marinade in the fridge.
Depending on how much time you have allow to marinade for at least 10 minutes and for up to 1 hour.
We wouldn't recommend any longer, as the acid in the lemon will start to cook the fish. But if you are short on time 10 minutes will still add a great flavour filled punch to your fish.
Once marinated this recipe is perfect for either BBQing or grilling.
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How to grill fish
Grilling either on a griddle pan or bbq is a great well to cook fish and bring out the flavours from the marinade.
For perfectly cooked fish: Heat the griddle pan or bbq to a high heat, lightly oil the grill plate and place your fish into the hot grill. Leave the fish allowing it to maintain contact with the grill for 3 minutes then turn over, grilling the over side for a further 3 minutes.
Check the fish is cooked then remove from the heat and allow to rest for a few minutes. To serve sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a little squeeze of lemon juice.
Serving suggestions
Perfect for any season, this fish dish will work well served with salads for a summer bbq or along side roasted vegetables in winter. A great dish to serve at a shared table and would be delicious along side clam tostadas, grilled Moroccan lamb, Asian pork or a Thai beef salad.
Delicious served with our roasted heirloom carrot salad.
Frequently asked questions.
For great flavour, marinate your fish for at least 10 minutes and depending on the ingredients in the marinade for up to an hour. The acid from any citrus ingredients in the marinade can start to cook the fish, ceviche style, so avoid letting it marinate for longer than the hour.
Marinades are perfect for adding flavour to fish and are quick to whip up. Use bold, aromatic ingredients that pair well with fish, like our fennel and lemon fish marinade recipe!
Marinating fish is a great way to bring flavour to the dish. You don't have to marinade for long before grilling on a high heat and this will help keep the fish tender, adding moisture to the finished dish.
This fennel and lemon fish marinade recipe is delicious and nutritious. And its super quick to make, a great week day dinner to serve along side your favourite salads or side dishes. Enjoy!
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Happy cooking!
Recipe
Fennel and lemon fish marinade.
Ingredients
- 4 Hapuka fillets - approx. 180 per portion (See note 1)
- 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Flakey salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Chilli flakes (See note 2)
- 2 Lemons Zest of both and juice of one.
- 100 ml Olive oil
- Bunch of Parsley Chopped
Instructions
To make the marinade:
- Using a mortar and pestle (or mini blender), add the fennel seeds and grind them to break up a little. Add the garlic cloves, flaky salt and grind to a paste.
- Add the pepper, chilli flakes and zest of both lemons and squeeze in the juice from one.
- Add the olive oil and mix well. (See note 3)
- Generously rub the marinade over the fish fillets then place in the fridge for at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour. (See note 4)
To cook the fish:
- Heat a griddle pan or BBQ to a high heat, lightly oil the grill plate then place the fish onto the hot grill. Leave to grill for three minutes then turn them over and grill the other side for a further three minutes.
- Check the fish is cooked, remove from the grill and allow to rest for a couple of minutes.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of flakey salt and squeeze over the juice of the remaining lemon.
- Serve with your favourite salads or side dishes.
Gina says
I think I found my new favorite way to make fish because this marinade was incredible! Everyone really enjoyed. Can't wait to make again!
Pavani says
What a flavorful and delicious recipe this is. I love the flavor of fennel, but I rarely use it in recipes. We really loved the flavor of fennel in this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this easy dish.
Kristina says
Tastes fantastic! I use it on salmon often- it's one of my favorite marinades.
Sharon says
This marinade adds so much flavor to fish. Perfect for using when you plan on grilling your filsh.