A Spicy Perspective

Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod

Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod Recipe – How to grill perfect cod, halibut, grouper, or your favorite white fish for a healthy, light, and flavorful summer dish. You’ll love these easy tips for grilling cod in foil with lemon pepper!

lemon pepper grilled cod in foil

Grilled… Not Baked Cod Recipe

I don’t think there is a more perfect dish for a light summer dinner, than grilled fish.

Simple to prepare and cook in just minutes, a good piece of fish is a terrifically healthy and hearty lean protein to have in your weekly menu rotation. Serve quick grilled fish for a last-minute busy weeknight meal, or as an impressive yet super easy dinner party star.

Plus, grilling fish outdoors during the warmer months helps to keep your kitchen much cooler. Yes, please!

Some of our favorite summer grilled fish recipes include this marinated Grilled Salmon and Grilled Grouper with Orange and Olives. These are wonderfully fast and delicious to make; however, I wanted to create a recipe that was so effortless that it doesn’t even require a simple marinade, but does include one of the most crave-worthy summer flavors: lemon pepper!

lemon pepper fish in foil

Easy Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod

This Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod recipe is bright, tangy, buttery seafood perfection.

Using just a few pantry staples and foil, it is simple to create incredible flavor and ultra-moist fish that doesn’t stick to the grill.

From start to finish this dish only takes about 15 minutes and a handful of basic ingredients. It will definitely be your new go-to, no-fuss guide for grilling tender and flaky fish every single time!

spice blend

What Ingredients You Need for Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod

Here are the few ingredients used in this recipe:

  • Cod Fillets – or preferred white fish
  • Butter – or ghee to make paleo
  • Lemon – to enhance the tangy, bright flavor of the lemon pepper seasoning
  • Spiceslemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika

While we use cod in this post, feel free to use grouperhalibut, or your favorite white fish. Lemon pepper seasoning goes well with all of these varieties! You’ll just want to slightly adjust cook times depending on the thickness of the fish filets you use.

whitefish in foil

How Do You Keep Fish From Sticking to the Grill?

The secret to incredibly moist, flaky fish is to grill Lemon Pepper Cod, Halibut, or Grouper in foil.

By sealing the fish filets in foil with butter and fresh lemon, the cod is gently steamed by the heat and is therefore much less likely to be overcooked by the grill.

Not only is grilling fish in foil more fool-proof for getting the perfect cook, but this method also makes clean-up way easier. There’s no fish stuck to the grill grates to scrape off; you simply toss the foil in the trash when you’re done!

spice blend for lemon pepper fish

How to Make Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod in Foil

Instructions

1. First, preheat the grill to medium. It will not take you long to prepare the fish!

2. Next, lay 4 large squares of foil on the countertop. Cut the butter into 4 sections and slice the lemon into rounds. Place one tablespoon of butter and one lemon slice in the center of each piece of foil.

3. Be sure to thoroughly yet gently pat each fish fillet dry with a paper towel. Then lay one fillet over the slices of butter and lemon on each piece of foil.

4. In a small bowl, mix the lemon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle generously it over the top of each fish fillet.

5. Pull the two opposite sides of the foil up over the cod, and fold the foil down twice to seal the top to make a pouch. Then flatten and fold the two ends together, twice, to make the foil packets airtight. You want to make sure all of the steam and flavor stays locked inside!

6. Place the foil packets on the hot grill, and cover the grill for 8-10 minutes while the fish cooks.

Promptly remove the fish from the grill when done. Once the foil is cool enough to touch, open the packets and serve warm.

Pro Tip: Perfect white fish should be slightly opaque and easily flake with a fork when done.

We hope your family enjoys this zesty, juicy Lemon Pepper Cod Grilled in foil all summer long!

how to make perfect grilled fish in foil

Get the Complete Printable Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod (Halibut or Grouper) in Foil Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Store Leftover Grilled Fish in the Refrigerator?

You can keep these leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. 

Can I Store Cod in the Freezer?

You can keep this fish in the freezer for up to 6 months, knowing that the longer it is frozen the flavor and texture will lessen over time.

grilled halibut, cod, grouper with butter and lemon pepper seasoning

Can I Grill Frozen Cod Filet?

While fresh, non-frozen fish is preferred, it is not necessary to thaw frozen cod before grilling. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time to ensure the filets are properly cooked through.

What Can I Serve with Grilled Cod, Halibut, or Grouper?

We love Lemon Pepper Cod served right on top of rice or lentils for a complete and healthy meal.

Enjoy this as a low-carb dish by serving with Roasted Cauliflower Rice, a green salad, roasted green beans, or a side of grilled or roasted veggies.

grilled whitefish with lemon

Looking for More Summer Grilling Recipes?

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, and vitamin percentages.

Print Recipe
4.88 from 8 votes
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Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod in Foil

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod – How to grill perfect cod or your favorite white fish for a healthy, light, and flavorful summer dish.
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to medium, about 350-375 degree F.
  • Lay 4 large squares of foil on the countertop. Cut the butter into 4 sections. Slice the lemon into rounds. Place one tablespoon of butter and one lemon slice in the center of each piece of foil.
  • Pat each fish fillet dry with a paper towel. Then lay one fillet over the butter and lemon on each piece of foil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the lemon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle generously over the top of each fish fillet.
  • Pull the two opposite sides of the foil up over the cod. Fold the foil down twice to seal the top. Then flatten and fold the two ends together, twice, to make the foil packets airtight.
  • Place the foil packets on the hot grill. Cover the grill for 8-10 minutes. 8 minutes for fillets under 1 inch thick. 10 minutes for fillets over 1 inch thick.
  • Remove from the grill. Once the foil is cool enough to touch, open the packets and serve warm.

Video

Notes

You can use any type of white fish in this recipe. If buying a whole large fish fillet, cut it into individual 4-6 ounce portions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fillet, Calories: 118kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 102mg, Potassium: 84mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 596IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: dinner, Main, Main Course
Cuisine: American

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17 comments on “Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod”

  1. Pingback: What To Serve With Tzatziki Dip - 39 BEST Side Dishes - Pantry & Larder

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  4. Was great and will make again, also added chili powder with paprika fresh garlic was a hit even with my none fish eaters!

  5. Recipe technique is great. Will make again. The smoked papkrika overwhelmed the lemon, so I will back off on it next time.
    Great quick meal.

  6. Pingback: Lemon Pepper Grilled Cod Recipe ⁠ – DailyEasyRecipes.com

  7. This looks so mouth-watering! Amazing

  8. Can you omit paprika and just use the lemon pepper?

  9. My boyfriend is not typically crazy about fish but he raved about it this time. Followed the recipe exactly. Delicious. And so easy!

  10. This was DELICIOUS! My kids usually won’t touch fish unless they get to open their little parchment paper packets, but this was an exception. I served the cod over beluga lentils (which look startlingly like roe) and the whole family enjoyed.

  11. This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to make this recipe this weekend! So excited!

  12. Could this be baked in the oven?  If so, what temp and approximate time.
    Thanks!

  13. This is so good! Such an amazing meal!

  14. What an amazing recipe sommer…and it looks soo yummy with full of flavor as well…i will make it this weekend…Thanks for sharing a beautiful recipe…!