Alaska has been on my bucket list for years and I hope I do get to visit soon. I had never heard of Alaskan Rockfish before, but when I saw it in the market I thought I’d give it a try.
After reading up on the Rockfish, I decided marinating and grilling the fish would make a delicious entree.
It has a firm, white and meaty flesh, with a higher oil content that makes it perfect for marinades, wood smoking or the addition of other flavors.
That being said the Rockfish is a blank canvas that you can take in any flavor direction you choose. There’s so much you can do with this beautiful fish, you’ll never have to serve it the same way twice.
I decided on a marinade with an Asian twist for this dish, using what I had on hand to make the marinade. I used a base of tamari sauce and pomegranate molasses for my marinade but you could use a variety of different ingredients.
What ingredients do I need to make Marinated Grilled Alaskan Rockfish and Shrimp?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Marinated Grilled Alaskan Rockfish and Shrimp. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
What fish can I use instead of Rockfish?
Any thick firm white fish will work well with this recipe. If you can’t find rockfish you can substitute these fish.
- Halibut
- Mahi-Mahi
- Grouper
- Snapper
While the texture of the Rockfish is amazing, it is a little on the bland side so don’t be afraid to give it a good soaking in a tasty marinade, add your favorite flavors to the marinade and whether you grill it, pan sear it or oven roast it, I promise it will be a hit with your family.
How do I make Grilled Alaskan Rockfish?
The first step is making the marinade for the Rockfish and Shrimp.
Mix the tamari sauce, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and crushed red pepper until well blended and place it in a small pan or ziplock bag to marinate the rockfish.
Do I have to use tamari sauce to make the marinade?
No, you don’t. A good substitute is soy sauce, low-sodium or regular.
If you can’t have soy sauce, coconut aminos is a good substitution for tamari or soy sauce.
What can I use instead of Pomegranate Molasses to make the marinade?
A good substitute for the pomegranate molasses, is cranberry juice or orange juice.
Add the rockfish to the marinade and let it marinate for at least one hour. Add shrimp into the marinade and let that marinate for 10 minutes.
The Alaskan Rockfish can be left in the marinade for up to two hours, but no longer than that unless you’re making ceviche. As for the Shrimp, they should not be left in the marinade for longer than 20 minutes.
Marinated seafood should be cooked immediately after being removed from the marinade.
Most times I use a gas grill for my seafood. But on days that I don’t feel like going outside to grill, I use a grill pan. Both methods provide great results.
Place Rockfish on a very hot grill (or grill pan) and allow to sear on one side until the Rockfish gets nice grill marks and good color.
Turn over Rockfish and cook for 5-7 minutes, placing the shrimp on the grill at this time. Turn the shrimp at about the 3 minute mark. The shrimp will only take about 5 minutes to fully cook.
This is the grill pan I use -> Le Creuset Grill Pan. If you’d rather not deal with cast iron, this is a good option at about half the price -> Non-Stick Grill Pan.
Serve the marinated grilled rockfish on a bed of wild rice or the grain of your choice with some lime wedges. Garnish with chopped scallions or parsley to add a little more color to the dish. Serve and enjoy!
I think I might even try pan-frying it next time, who knows it might make one tasty fish sandwich!
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Cajun-Style Florida Snapper
- Pan Seared Halibut
- How to Poach Mahi-Mahi (or your favorite fish)
- Lime Crusted Chilean Sea Bass
Grilled Alaskan Rockfish
Ingredients
- 12 ounce Alaskan Rockfish 2 – six-ounce filets
- 6 large shrimp shell-on, 21-25 or 16-20 count
- ¼ cup tamari sauce or soy sauce
- ¼ cup pomegranate molasses or cranberry juice concentrate
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 lime juice only
- pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 2 stalks green onions chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Mix tamari, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and crushed red pepper until well blended and place in small pan to marinate the rockfish. Let marinate for one hour
- Add shrimp into the marinade for about 10 minutes
- Place Rockfish on a very hot grill and allow to sear on one side until the Rockfish gets nice grill marks and good color.
- Turn over Rockfish and cook for 5-7 minutes, placing shrimp on the grill at this time.
Notes
- The Alaskan Rockfish can be left in the marinade for up to two hours, but no longer than that unless you’re making ceviche. As for the Shrimp, they should not be left in the marinade for longer than 20 minutes.
- Marinated seafood should be cooked immediately after being removed from the marinade.
Nutrition
Lynn
I’ve lived in Alaska for 25 years and today was the first time making yellow eye rockfish; we usually have halibut instead. This recipe was amazing! I used fresh squeezed orange juice in place of the molasses and highly recommend it. I can’t believe how different the texture is, very much like scallops. Love, love, love it!
Alexis
This dish sounds amazing. I’ll be grabbing some rockfish at the store next time so I can enjoy this with my family.
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious
This Alaskan Rockfish looks amazing and is perfect for date night!
Addison
I have never had rockfish before but I love how you prepared it! So many great flavors in this dish!
Heidy
This fish recipe was fantastic! The entire family enjoyed it, and I will be sharing the recipe with a few coworkers that enjoy this cuisine, Have a great week!!!
Heidy
Amy Casey
Love love love the sweet and salty combo of flavors in the marinade. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes for my personal chef clients and this is one I know they will love!
Debbie
I have never had Alaskan Rockfish but this recipe makes me want to. I love just about any fish and the restaurant quality recipe is now on my to do list. Thanks for sharing !
Ramona
I have never made grilled Alaskan rockfish before and I am drooling just by looking at it! I am definitely going to be making this on Friday as a treat. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Jacqueline Debono
I had to look up Alaskan rockfish as I was curious to see what they looked like. Actually quite similar to the Mediterranean rockfish which in Italy we call ‘scorfano’. This is actually not a fish i’ve cooked before but would love to try this recipe with it. Sounds delicious!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
I’m a huge seafood lover and this dish looks and sounds phenomenal! I’m crushing hard on this grilled shrimp big time! Thank you for sharing!
Beth
This marinade sounds like a delicious treat – it would certainly be worth finding the pomegranate molasses to make this rockfish/shrimp dish just right.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
What a great recipe for rockfish! My family really loved how this came out. SO flavorful and fresh.
Linda
You got me at pomegranate molasses. Never had this before but this sounds awesome with rockfish.
Robin
This is the recipe to make when you want to impress someone. Rock fish on a grill is the epitome of delicious decadence.
Everything Enchanting
I haven’t heard of Alaskan Rockfish before either! But this looks so yummy 😍 I am a fish lover, so would love to try out this recipe ❤️
Leslie
I don’t know if I can find Alaskan Rockfish in my area so I might have to try this with Mahi-mahi. Thanks for including other options bc I don’t want to miss out on these flavors!
Sharon
The marinade on this fish is spectacular! It’s the perfect complement for this seafood combination.
Natalie
Oh yum! Now I’m definitely hungry. This looks so delicious. I love the flavors and combination of rockfish and shrimps. I’m making this for sure!
rika
I love grilled fish and I’ve tried rockfish before. This recipe looks pretty easy to make, perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
Hmmmm yum! I am starving! Seeing this post makes me want to grab the dish right now. It looks so delicious!
Jen Sim
As soon as I saw “grilled” I was sold. The shrimp and fish look delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Stine Mari
I used halibut instead, but it was a delicious marinade. Will definitely look for Alaskan rockfish too.
Rosey
I like dishes that are versatile. You did a wonderful job on presentation here too!
Marysa
I have never cooked rockfish before. This sounds like a delicious recipe and easy to make as well.
Rose Ann Sales
Something new to try! And looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Farrah Less
Im drooling right now by just looking at your pictures. I am a seafood lovers its been a while since I had this I miss it so much.
Ruth I
I always love your posts. This looks really good! I’m excited to try this dish. I love seafoods it’s also my husband’s go to dish.
Monica Simpson
I should venture out and try different types of fish. This one sounds so good.
Emily
I have started eating fish this year, so I am going to try this recipe out. I can’t wait for grilling season!
Kristina
My family loved this! We use pomegranate molasses in our Middle Eastern recipes, which are usually lamb. This was my first time using it on chicken and it was great!
Catalina
I don’t want nothing more than this delicious seafood dinner! It’s the best ever!
Lynndee
I don’t think we’re ever had Alaskan Rockfish before. But we do love seafood over here. Will have to try this.
Kathy
This looks amazing! I will have to try this out. I have not tried rockfish before. I’m interested to see how it tastes.
Gervin Khan
Woah! This looks so good and delicious! Gonna try this at home and share it with the fam!
Amy Liu Dong
Oh my goodness, this is so delicious, and seeing this dish really makes my mouthwatering. Yum!
Heather
This is my kind of dish! I have to make this for the family soon.
Nikki Wayne
That looks so good..I haven’t heard of this fish before, thanks for the recipe.
Tasheena
This looks really savory. Looking forward to making this for my family.
Tasheena
This looks a very savory. Looking forward to making this for my family.
Marta
I ALWAYS stick to the same ol’ fish recipes. This rockfish will be an excellent change of pace for dinner tomorrow night. I can’t wait.
Jenny
I am such a fan of your recipes. Love this grilled rockfish and shrimp recipe, I can’t wait to try it. Perfect for a date night, you are right! Thanks so much!
Tara Pittman
I do love seafood. This is a recipe that I need to make as it looks so delicious.
Bernice Hill
Wow! This Grilled Rockfish looks like such a treat. We’re pretty limited with our fish choices here in Alberta but I did grill moonfish in Maui once. This is the best way to cook a firm white fish in my opinion.
GiGi Eats
THIS GIRL loves herself some fish so SIGN ME UP! 🙂
Amber Myers
This looks so amazing. I know my family would love it since they are HUGE fans of seafood. They could eat it daily.
Joline
We’ve been trying to eat more seafood and less meat lately and have been looking for seafood recipes. This looks delicious! Do you think it will work with cod?
Crystal Carder
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of rockfish, but it sounds like a good meal! Very nicely made.
Swathi
This Grilled fish looks delicious my kids will love it
Laura Lynch
Quick and light meal. Very nice.
Emily Flint
I love your fish recipes and this is one of my favorites!
Angela
The marinade was so delicious!
Jessica Formicola
I’ve been trying to add more seafood to our diets, and this rockfish looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it for dinner this week!
Courtney
Such a lovely mariande!
Sue
I love the sound of this marinade, I’m going to try it with some shrimp!
Mike
I am making this awesome looking recipe now with a Yellow Eye Alaska Rockfish that we catch up here all the time.
Do I need to get the skin off the fillets before I marinate and put it on the grill?
Chef Dennis Littley
you can leave the skin on, it should come off fairly easily once it’s cooked. Just make sure the flesh side gets the marinade.
Terry
Been to Alaska many times! I fish the Kenia river and have caught many king salmon. Alaska can be expensive but everything is fresh, no previous frozen.
Mid summer days are very long with sun! Beauty everyturn! Rock fish is very bland and lend to a variety of sauces! Red pepper and garlic sauce was very nice!
Try it in season!
Barb
Hi Dennis,
This recipe sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
My husband and I went on an Alaskan cruise in july 2017 and it was the most amazing time I’ve ever had on any vacation. I would go back in a heartbeat!!!! Make a plan an GO! Uou won’t regret it. When we borded at Ketchikan we ate at a small little place right on the water, where the ship had landed and had the most amazing fish tacos there. I have no idea what kind of fish it was, but it was so good. All the food was so fresh an amazing. The different places we went and all the sites were also very amazing, so if you ever get the chance, go.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Barb T.barb
Chef Dennis Littley
Alaska is on my bucket list Barb, it sounds like you had an amazing experience! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Alina Uzma
Great recipe. I love Love this recipe. I love to GRILLED ALASKAN ROCKFISH.
Megan
I’ve never heard of Rockfish and I’m intrigued about Pom Molasses so this post has me intrigued and ready to try the recipe! I like having fish in the rotation at our home for some healthier meals.
Shari
Great recipe. I catch a lot of rockfish and ling cod every year and am constantly looking for new recipes. I put it all in a pan to marinate in my chamber vacuum sealer and put on the grill and my friends were absolutely delighted. I have over 80 rockfish fillets in my freezer from this spring and now will use this recipe a couple times a week. Thank you. Oh yah, I catch a lot of spot prawns every year and am happy to find a marinade that works well for those too.
Kayko
I found Rockfish on sale at the Met Market for $7.99 and wanted to try it out. Turned out wonderful! I’m going to try your marinade on chicken as well.
Anyway, had to give you a shout out and a 5 star rating to thank you for the recipe and lovely photos.
Chef Dennis
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Christine
This is amazing, was just looking through the coming week’s food ads and saw rock fish. Never heard of it. So the timing is perfect and how can I argue with $5.99/lb.? Yum!
Chef Dennis
thanks Christine, let me know how it turns out! That is so much cheaper than I found it, I’m seriously jealous!
Roz
Hi Dennis, Love this recipe for spring; light and refreshing. +’d it for you too.
Ciao,
Roz
Scott Borel
Geez this sounds great. I’m a fish freak! I will be trying this and I can’t wait to get the Pom Molasses. Thanks for sharing.
Curt
This sounds delicious Dennis. I’m always looking for a new choice of fish for the grill that’s clean tasting. Been grilling flounder lately. Very nice and clean too if you haven’t tried it.
I’ll definitely look for some Alaskan Rockfish.
RavieNomNoms
Lovely grill marks!!
Kim - Liv Life
I’ve been meaning to purchase Pom Molasses for a long time, I think this recipe has made it a must on my list!! I’ve never had the rockfish, but I like the sounds of it. I’m not much of a “fishy” fish eater, but this sounds mahi mahi-ish crossed with salmon. Perfect!
And Alaska is on my list too… never been, but my parents cruised there a few years back and are still talking about it. One day!!