This grilled haddock with lemon cream sauce is a wonderfully light and tangy way to enjoy this fabulous sustainable cod relative! The haddock is slightly less dense fish meat than cod but also has a note of sweetness that combines superbly with my easy lemon cream sauce for white fish! It's a simple and flavorful dinner that the whole family will love!
Grilled Haddock Recipe With Lemon Cream Sauce
I love this fish and feel it should be much more popular due to the amazing taste (see below for more about haddock)! I'm really lucky as the whole household loves seafood in general, and no one argues when I say, 'Fish - it's what's for dinner.'
This easy-to-make seafood entree cooks up quickly and perfectly every time. Its mild and slightly sweet flavor makes it an easy fish to get young kids to enjoy, too. Additionally, if you're a smoked seafood lover, I have to point out that haddock is the best white fish you can pick for smoking!
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Since it's grilling season, it was time to grill up some of this fabulous haddock! I'll share my tips for grilling success using my secret weapon: lemon slices!
🤔 What is Haddock
Haddock is a saltwater white fish that is a member of the true cod family. It is a very sustainable fish, which is one of the reasons that I enjoy cooking with haddock!
The taste of haddock is similar to cod but slightly sweeter and stronger overall flavor. This wonderful fish flavor makes the haddock perfect for use in a wide variety of seafood recipes!
The haddock meat is also less dense than that of cod but extremely high in nutritional content. A single haddock serving ( around 6 oz ) contains high amounts of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, potassium and niacin. All of the wonderful benefits of seafood in a very affordable fish species!
Other white fish varieties that can also be used (based on your location and availability) include:
- Cod (also from the true cod family)
- Pollock (also from the true cod family)
- Flounder
- Halibut
- Sole
- Tilapia
- Coley (also sold as haithe)
- Hake
- Whiting
🥘 Grilled Haddock Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients, and then you are ready to get started! Go to your local seafood counter or fish market to get some wonderfully fresh haddock.
Grilled Haddock
- Olive Oil - 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Lemon - 1 large lemon, sliced.
- Haddock - 1 pound of fresh haddock.
- Seasonings - 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, and dill weed (freshly chopped or dried).
Lemon Cream Sauce
- Olive Oil - 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Onion - ⅛ of a medium white onion, finely minced.
- Heavy Cream - ¼ cup of heavy cream (or a heavy cream substitute).
- Butter - 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Lemon - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice).
- Parmesan Cheese - 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Grilled Haddock
Both the grilled haddock and lemon sauce are super simple to prepare! All you need is your grill, grilling utensils, measuring spoons, and a small saucepan.
This recipe will make 4 servings of fish, but it can easily be scaled up or down to suit your needs!
- Prepare. Preheat your grill to medium heat, and then rinse and pat your 1 pound (454 grams) of haddock dry using paper towels.
- Foil. On a countertop, lay out a section of tinfoil for each fillet you will be having. Lightly coat it with brushed olive oil, or use non-stick cooking spray on the inside of each foil sheet.
- Arrange. Arrange 2-3 lemon slices (depending on the size of your fillets) in a line down the center of each packet.
- Season. Season each fillet (1 teaspoon (6 grams) each of salt, pepper, and dill weed), then set the haddock fillets on the lemon slices. Wrap each fillet in the foil being sure it is completely sealed with the seam facing upward.
- Grill. Place foil packs on the grill over medium heat. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your haddock. Remove from heat and check your fillets for the fish to be done.
Make Lemon Cream Sauce For Fish
- Saute. Bring a small saucepan with 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of olive oil to medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add ⅛ of minced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
- Add. Reduce heat to low, and add ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of heavy cream. Once the cream is warmed, add 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of butter and cook until it is melted. Add the lemon zest and juice from 1 large lemon, then continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Melt. Add in 1 tablespoon (5 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it is fully melted. Spoon the lemon cream sauce over your grilled haddock and enjoy!
🥗 What To Serve With Grilled Haddock
Serve your grilled haddock with some pan-fried asparagus (or another asparagus recipe) and oven-roasted potatoes! A simple garden salad or Caesar salad are fantastic options as well! Enjoy!
Cooking Times for Grilled Fish
Grilled fish should be cooked for 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness (fillets or steak cuts). If grilled directly on your grill, turn and grill each side for 3-4 minutes until the fish is done. If using foil packets, check the fish for doneness at about 8 minutes as the fish is not only grilling but steaming inside the foil pouch.
*Open foil packets carefully to avoid burns from steam!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- I know that the USDA recommendations for rinsing foods are all against it. However, I cannot resist the compulsion to rinse most of my meats and seafood before cooking. This step is completely up to you and your preferences!
- The lemon slices not only help to keep your haddock (or any fish variety) from sticking to the aluminum foil but also add flavor while steaming the fish in the packet! When grilling fish directly on my grill surface, I also use lemon slices placed on the grill between the fish and grate to keep my fish from sticking. This super easy hack keeps your grilled fish from falling apart too!
- Make sure you use very fresh haddock for the best results! Choose filets that are moist and smell fresh.
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Let your haddock cool to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Grilled Haddock
You'll want to reheat your fish at a low temperature in the oven. Heat it in the oven at 275°F (135°C/Gas Mark 1), covered with aluminum foil.
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📖 Recipe Card
Grilled Haddock {with Lemon Cream Sauce}
Ingredients
Grilled Haddock
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 large lemon (sliced)
- 1 lb Fresh Haddock
- 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- 1 teaspoon dill weed (fresh, chopped or dried)
Lemon Cream Sauce For Fish
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ⅛ medium white onion (finely minced)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large lemon (zest and juice - or 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
To Make The Grilled Haddock
- Rinse and pat your haddock dry using paper towels.
- On a countertop lay out a section of tinfoil for each fillet you will be having. Lightly coat with brushed olive oil or use non stick cooking spray on the inside of each foil sheet.
- Arrange 2-3 lemon slices (depending on the size of your fillets) in a line down the center of each packet.
- Season each fillet (salt, pepper, dill weed) then set the haddock fillets on the lemon slices. Wrap each fillet in the foil being sure it is completely sealed with the seam facing upward.
- Place foil packs on grill over a medium heat. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your haddock. Remove from heat and check your fillets for the fish to be done.
To Make The Lemon Cream Sauce For Fish
- Bring a small saucepan with the olive oil to medium high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the minced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
- Reduce heat to low, and add in the heavy cream. Once the cream is warmed, add the butter and cook until it is melted. Add the lemon zest and juice, then continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Add in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it is fully melted. Spoon the lemon cream sauce over your grilled haddock and enjoy!
Kim G says
This is hands down the best haddock fish recipe I've ever had, the sauce is incredible. Thank you! Thank you!
Jlynn says
I enjoyed this very much.
Not that it matters much, but which side of the fish do you place on the lemon?
Thanks!!:)
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
If you have skinless fillets, I would place the bigger side on the lemons. Enjoy!
Jesara says
So easy and delicious 🤍
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the haddock!!