Peppered Fish: Nigerian Grilled Spicy Party Tilapia Recipe

February 4, 2025 Odiraa

Peppered Fish: Nigerian Grilled Spicy Party Tilapia Recipe

Grilled fish recipes are always exciting because they allow you to experiment with your favorite spices, herbs, and seasonings without the fear of getting it wrong.

This Nigerian-style oven-grilled peppered fish is my go-to quick fish recipe. It’s easy to prepare yet packed with bold flavors and spices that soak into every bite.

The ingredients are flexible, so you can tweak them to suit your personal preferences.

Peppered Fish: Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: It takes little effort but delivers a deliciously lush taste.
Packed with Flavor: Marinated and coated in a spicy pepper sauce for extra taste.
Perfect for Gatherings: A crowd-pleaser that’s easy to serve at parties or family meals.
Versatile: Works well with different fish varieties and pairs beautifully with plantains, yam, or other side dishes.

What is Nigerian Grilled Peppered Fish?

Nigerian grilled peppered fish, also known as Nigerian spicy grilled fish, is a flavorful, spicy dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

The fish is marinated in a bold mix of spices and a rich pepper sauce before being grilled to perfection.

Popular fish choices include:

Tilapia
Croaker
Catfish
Mahi-Mahi
Sea Bass

The larger the fish, the longer it takes to cook. But no matter the size, you’re guaranteed a mouthwatering dish!

Ingredients for Nigerian Grilled Peppered Fish

For the Fish & Marinade:

1 whole fish (Tilapia, Croaker, Mahi-Mahi, or Sea Bass)
60ml vegetable oil
2 medium red bell peppers
1 medium green bell pepper
1 scotch bonnet pepper
3 large cloves of garlic
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger

For Frying the Pepper Sauce:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon all-spice or mixed herbs
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon turmeric/curry powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 large seasoning cube
Salt to taste

Veggie Sauce:

1 red onion
1 large carrot
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon seasoning powder
250g sliced spinach
Salt to taste

How to Make Nigerian Grilled Peppered Fish

Step 1: Prepare the Pepper Sauce

Blend the red bell peppers, green bell pepper, scotch bonnet, garlic, ginger, and 60ml vegetable oil until smooth.
Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan and pour in the blended mixture.
Add all-spice, black pepper, turmeric, smoked paprika, seasoning cube, and salt to taste.
Simmer for 5 minutes to intensify the flavor. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Fish

Rinse the fish, remove the gut, scales, and fins, and pat dry with a paper towel.
Using a sharp knife, make deep slashes on both sides of the fish to help the marinade penetrate.
Massage the pepper sauce generously into the fish, ensuring it gets into the slashes.
Cover with foil or place in a zip-lock bag and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

3: Grill the Fish

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Take the fish out of the fridge, brush with additional pepper sauce, and place on a grill rack.
Grill for 10 minutes on one side, then flip and grill the other side for another 10 minutes.
Add more pepper sauce if needed and continue grilling until the fish is fully cooked.

Step 4: Prepare the Veggie Sauce

Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and sauté the red onion and carrots.
Add garlic powder, seasoning powder, and sliced spinach.
Cook for 3-5 minutes, then season with salt to taste.

Easy baked fish and chips — Easy-baked fish and chips

Serving Suggestions

This Nigerian grilled peppered fish is best enjoyed hot and pairs well with:

Grilled Plantains
Boiled or Fried Yam
Rice Dishes
Vegetable Sauce

Tips for Perfect Nigerian Grilled Fish

Marinate for Longer: For even deeper flavors, marinate the fish overnight.
Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of scotch bonnet pepper.
Check for Doneness: Fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and has a golden brown, crispy exterior.
Avoid Overcooking: Overcooked fish can become dry, so monitor the grilling time carefully.