If you're looking for an easy way to cook fresh walleye, this Grilled Walleye Recipe with Blackened Seasoning is packed with bold flavor and comes together in less than 30 minutes. Walleye has a mild, flaky texture that pairs perfectly with smoky blackened spices and the light char from the grill.
Whether you're cooking freshly caught walleye or frozen fillets that have been thawed, grilling is one of the best ways to highlight the natural flavor of the fish. Serve it with homemade Greek yogurt tartar sauce, grilled vegetables, or roasted potatoes for a simple summer meal everyone will love.
If you are looking for more walleye recipes try - Beer Battered Walleye, Best Walleye Sandwich, Baked Walleye Recipe, or Pan Seared Walleye (Lemon Pepper)!
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Why This Works
- The homemade blackened seasoning creates a flavorful crust without overpowering the delicate taste of walleye.
- This can work on any type of grill, I have an outdoor Ninja Foodi Grill but you can also do this on a Blackstone as well!
- Grilling gives the fish a smoky flavor while keeping it light and flaky.
- The recipe is quick enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for entertaining.
- Walleye cooks in just a few minutes, making it one of the easiest fish recipes to prepare.
- It pairs well with countless side dishes from grilled vegetables to rice or fresh salads.
Ingredients Needed
- Walleye fillets - Fresh or thawed frozen walleye fillets work well. Try to choose fillets that are similar in thickness so they cook evenly.
- Olive oil - A light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning stick while preventing the fish from sticking to the grill.
- Butter - just a couple of tablespoons
- Paprika - Adds color and mild smoky flavor to the seasoning blend.
- Garlic powder - Provides savory depth without overpowering the fish.
- Onion powder - Balances the garlic and rounds out the seasoning blend.
- Cayenne pepper - Adds a little heat. Adjust the amount depending on your spice preference.
- Dried thyme - Brings an earthy flavor that works well with fish.
- Dried oregano - Adds a subtle herb flavor to the seasoning.
- Black pepper - Provides a little bite and enhances the other spices.
- Kosher salt - Brings all the flavors together.
Lemon wedges
Fresh lemon juice brightens the finished fish and balances the spices.
How to Make Grilled Walleye with Blackened Seasoning
Preheat your grill to medium heat.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt.
Pat the walleye fillets dry with paper towels and lightly brush both sides with olive oil. Coat the fillets evenly with the blackened seasoning.
Place the seasoned walleye on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Add a few small pats of butter over the top of each fillet, then loosely fold up the edges of the foil to create a shallow packet while leaving the top slightly open so some of the smoky grill flavor can still circulate.
Place the foil on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Carefully remove the foil from the grill, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish, and serve immediately with Greek yogurt tartar sauce.
wedges and your favorite tartar sauce.
Pro Tips for Grilled Walleye
- Oil both the fish and the grill grates to help prevent sticking.
- Allow the grill to fully preheat before adding the fish.
- Avoid flipping the fillets too early. They will naturally release from the grill once properly cooked.
- Do not overcook the walleye. It can become dry very quickly.
- Use a fish spatula for easier flipping.
- Make extra blackened seasoning and store it in an airtight container for future recipes.
Storage
Store leftover grilled walleye in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the fish gently in a skillet over low heat or in a 300 degree F oven until heated through. Avoid microwaving for too long, as the fish can dry out.
While freezing is possible, grilled walleye is best enjoyed fresh because of its delicate texture.
Serving Suggestions
This grilled blackened walleye pairs well with many simple side dishes.
- 3 Ingredient Tartar Sauce
- Blackstone Asparagus
- Grilled zucchini
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Rice pilaf
- Smoked Corn on the Cob in Husk
- Coleslaw
- Garden salad
- Grilled lemon halves
- Fresh fruit salad
For a lighter meal, serve the fish over mixed greens with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Recipe FAQs
You can grill walleye with or without the skin. Skin-on fillets are often easier to grill because they help hold the fish together.
The fish should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Yes. Homemade seasoning gives you more control over the salt and spice level, but your favorite store bought blend also works well.
The spice level is mild to medium depending on how much cayenne pepper you use. You can easily reduce or increase the heat to match your preference.
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Grilled Walleye Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Blackstone
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This Grilled Walleye Recipe with Blackened Seasoning is an easy, flavorful way to cook fresh walleye. Seasoned with a homemade blackened spice blend, topped with butter, and grilled in foil until perfectly flaky, this recipe is ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Walleye
- 4 walleye fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pats
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Blackened Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- In a small bowl, combine all of the blackened seasoning ingredients.
- Pat the walleye fillets dry with paper towels.
- Brush both sides of the fillets with olive oil.
- Coat each fillet evenly with the blackened seasoning.
- Place the fillets on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Top each fillet with a few small pats of butter.
- Fold up the edges of the foil to create a shallow packet, leaving the top slightly open.
- Grill for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Carefully remove from the grill and serve with fresh lemon wedges and Greek yogurt tartar sauce.
Notes
- Use fresh or fully thawed walleye.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Foil helps keep delicate fish from sticking to the grill.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper for more or less heat.
- Fresh lemon juice adds brightness just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
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