Easy Grilled Tilapia in Foil (Fish Foil Packets)

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It’s time to learn how to grill tilapia! (Don’t worry, it’s beyond simple.) This grilled tilapia in foil couldn’t be easier! Simply layer a white fish in the fish foil packet, season with olive oil, salt and pepper, top with veggies and GRILL! Lots of bright summer flavors and the perfect meal to eat outside. The grilled fish in foil packets is not only fun, but it’s also functional as flaky fish like tilapia can’t be grilled directly on the grill. It also helps “steam” the fish so you aren’t drying it out. Be sure to try grilled salmon in foil next time!

And if you don’t like the way fish makes your house smell? Cooking tilapia on the grill solves this problem. 🙂

This easy grilled tilapia foil packets recipe was originally published in April 2020 and updated in May 2021 to include FAQs and a recipe video which is the best way to learn how to grill tilapia in foil!

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Can You Grill Tilapia?

Yes, you can grill tilapia! And I’ll show you how to grill tilapia without it falling apart. There are a few ways to make grilled tilapia:

• Use a grill basket. This is especially helpful when grilling a flaky fish.
• Make a foil platter. You can do this easily by shaping some foil into a platter shape.
• Make grilled tilapia in foil. This is exactly what we’re doing in this grilled tilapia recipe!

Why You’ll Love this Grilled Fish in Foil

• Perfectly cooked tilapia as it steams in the foil pouches
• Whole meal cooks together
• Just 10 minutes to prep
• Great way to cook fish outside if you don’t like to cook it inside

How to Grill Tilapia Fish Foil Packets

Let’s get to these fish foil packets! The whole meal comes together in just 25 minutes, so it’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Preheat the grill. Turn up the grill to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F.
• Make your foil packets for the fish. Cut out 4 large square of aluminum foil.
• Season fish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder and sea salt.
• Add veggies to fish foil packets. Top fish with pepper, onion, corn, and tomatoes. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.
• Fold foil packets. Fold the sides of the foil together to create a tent and roll up the seams so that there are no gaps.
• Grill! Place the fish foil packets directly over heat and cook for 10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Open foil tents carefully, the steam will be hot.
• Grill your bread if using it as a side dish.

Grilled Tilapia Recipe FAQs

Can you grill tilapia in foil?

Yes, grilling tilapia in foil is a great way to ensure your fish doesn’t fall through the grill grates. It’s also easy and keeps it nice and flaky without drying it out.

How to season tilapia for grilling?

In this recipe for grilled tilapia, the seasoning is kept really simple with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. The fish also gets plenty of flavor from the corn, tomatoes, pepper, and onion!

You could also use old bay seasoning and grill the tilapia just like my grilled trout recipe.

What to put on grilled tilapia?

Tilapia is a blank canvas. We’ve seasoned it here with basic seasonings and fresh veggies. Grill them together in foil packets and it makes for a flavorful and nutritious dish.

Is grilled tilapia healthy?

Yes! Unless you don’t or can’t eat fish. 😉 This tilapia recipe is nutritious and packed with protein and veggies. Serve it with a carb to round out the meal and it’s a satisfying combo.

How do you grill tilapia without it falling apart?

Because tilapia is a flaky fish, you can’t just set it right on the grill or it will fall apart.

That’s why we’re cooking the grilled tilapia in foil packets. There are also a few other options (see above!) for grilling flaky white fish.

How long to grill tilapia?

This easy grilled tilapia will take about 10 minutes to cook over a medium-high heat grill over direct heat (right over the flame).

The tilapia grill time will vary based on the size of the tilapia fillet. You’ll want it to easily flake so you can open up one of the packet and check with a fork.

You can also use an instant read meat thermometer, you’ll want to cook the tilapia in foil until it reaches 145 degrees F.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Tilapia in Foil

If you have any leftover grilled tilapia in foil, simply store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Re-heat until just heated throughout.

I would recommend removing from the foil and storing the grilled tilapia and veggies in glass storage containers.

Substitutes for Grilled Fish Foil Packets

Many grilled tilapia recipes like this one can be made with any flaky white fish like cod, bass, grouper, catfish, snapper, or halibut.

You can also swap out some of the vegetables depending on what you have. I love the bright and summery-fresh veggies used in this grilled tilapia in foil, but feel free to use other soft vegetables like shallots, lemon slices, green beans, diced potatoes, or zucchini.

Get Your Kids Involved in Making this Grilled Tilapia Recipe

There are so many ways to get your kids involved in cooking this grilled tilapia in foil:

• Season the fish with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
• Help chop veggies with a kids knife. (The pepper is a good one for younger kids.)
• Add veggies to fish foil packets. This doesn’t need to be done perfectly, so it’s the perfect job for kids! Season veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

What to Eat with Grilled Tilapia

This grilled tilapia recipe is a protein and veggie so you really just need to eat some carbs! I love it with grilled bread, but you could also serve it with some

• Grains – Serve over a bed of rice, quinoa, couscous. All the flavor from the fish and veggies will soak into the grains.
• Salads – Simple salad recipes like everyday side salad, simple green salad, or quinoa arugula salad pair well with the grilled fish.
• Grilled bread – The best summer side! Simply brush bread slices with olive oil and grill until lightly charred on both side. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and eat.

More Fish & Seafood Recipes

If you like this grilled fish in foil with vegetables, you should try some of my other easy seafood recipes:

• Grilled Salmon in Foil – Another great option for grilling fish.
• Apricot Glaze for Salmon – I love the sweet and tart flavor this glaze adds to salmon.
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp – The easiest shrimp scampi with a bit of spice!
• Baked Panko Salmon – One of the most popular fish recipes in the weeknight dinner club!
• Mediterranean Fish Packets – Similar to this grilled tilapia in foil, these fish packets feature a flavorful mix of Mediterranean flavors. You could also swap the parchment paper for foil and grill it!
• Grilled Lake Trout – This recipe is incredibly simple and the best way to grill trout. Two different flavor options!

Helpful Tools for Foil Packet Dinners on the Grill

Digital Cooking Thermometer

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Glass Storage Containers

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Grill Basket

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