Grilled to Perfection: Mastering Steamed Walleye (Pickerel) on Your Grill
Walleye, also known as pickerel, is a freshwater fish prized for its delicate flavor and firm, flaky texture. While often pan-fried or baked, grilling walleye using a steaming technique elevates the experience to a whole new level. Steaming on the grill infuses the fish with smoky nuances while keeping it incredibly moist and tender. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you achieve perfectly steamed walleye every time. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right walleye to choosing the best wood chips for smoking and creating flavorful accompaniments.
Why Steam Walleye on the Grill?
Before diving into the recipe, let’s explore the advantages of steaming walleye on the grill:
* **Moisture Retention:** Steaming prevents the walleye from drying out, a common issue with grilling. The enclosed environment traps moisture, resulting in succulent, melt-in-your-mouth fish.
* **Enhanced Flavor:** Grilling imparts a subtle smoky flavor that complements the natural taste of walleye. You can customize the smoky profile by using different types of wood chips.
* **Even Cooking:** Steaming ensures even cooking throughout the fillet, eliminating dry edges and undercooked centers.
* **Versatility:** This method works beautifully with various seasonings and marinades, allowing you to experiment with different flavor combinations.
* **Healthy Cooking:** Steaming requires minimal added fats, making it a healthy way to prepare walleye.
Selecting the Perfect Walleye
The quality of your walleye significantly impacts the final result. Here’s what to look for when choosing your fish:
* **Freshness:** Opt for walleye that smells fresh and clean, not fishy or ammonia-like. The eyes should be clear and bright, not cloudy or sunken.
* **Firmness:** The flesh should be firm and spring back when lightly pressed. Avoid walleye with soft or mushy spots.
* **Color:** The skin should have a vibrant, silvery sheen. The flesh should be white or slightly pink.
* **Source:** If possible, choose walleye from a reputable source. Sustainable fishing practices ensure the long-term health of walleye populations.
* **Fillets vs. Whole Fish:** For steaming on the grill, fillets are generally easier to manage and cook more evenly. However, a whole walleye can be steamed as well; you’ll just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Essential Equipment
Before you start grilling, gather the following equipment:
* **Grill:** A gas or charcoal grill will work. For charcoal grills, you’ll need a chimney starter, charcoal, and long tongs.
* **Wood Chips:** Choose wood chips that complement the flavor of walleye. Alder, apple, cherry, and maple are all excellent choices. Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before using.
* **Steaming Vessel:** You can use several options for steaming the walleye:
* **Aluminum Foil:** Create a foil packet by folding two large sheets of aluminum foil together, leaving enough space for the fish and vegetables.
* **Parchment Paper:** Similar to aluminum foil, parchment paper creates a safe and non-stick surface for steaming.
* **Grill Basket or Wok:** A grill basket or wok can be used to steam the walleye if you have a lid to cover it.
* **Cast Iron Skillet:** A cast iron skillet with a lid provides excellent heat distribution and retention.
* **Basting Brush:** For applying marinades or sauces.
* **Instant-Read Thermometer:** To ensure the walleye is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
* **Tongs or Spatula:** For handling the fish.
* **Heat-Resistant Gloves:** To protect your hands from the heat.
Ingredients
Here’s a basic recipe for steamed walleye on the grill. Feel free to customize the ingredients to your liking.
* **Walleye Fillets:** 4 (6-8 ounce) walleye fillets, skin on or off (your preference)
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Lemon:** 1, thinly sliced
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Fresh Herbs:** 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as dill, parsley, thyme, or chives)
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Optional Vegetables:** Thinly sliced bell peppers, onions, zucchini, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes.
* **White Wine or Fish Stock:** 1/4 cup (for adding moisture and flavor)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to achieve perfectly steamed walleye on your grill:
**1. Prepare the Grill:**
* **Gas Grill:** Preheat your gas grill to medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). If your grill has multiple burners, you can create a two-zone fire by turning off one or more burners to create an area for indirect heat.
* **Charcoal Grill:** Light your charcoal in a chimney starter. Once the coals are hot and ashed over, arrange them on one side of the grill for indirect cooking. Add the soaked wood chips directly to the hot coals.
**2. Prepare the Walleye:**
* Rinse the walleye fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
* In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
* Brush the walleye fillets with the olive oil mixture.
**3. Prepare the Steaming Vessel:**
* **Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper:** Place one or two walleye fillets on a large sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper. Top with lemon slices and any optional vegetables. Pour 2 tablespoons of white wine or fish stock over each fillet. Bring the edges of the foil or parchment paper together and crimp tightly to create a sealed packet. Make sure there are no holes for steam to escape.
* **Grill Basket or Wok:** Place the walleye fillets in the grill basket or wok. Add the lemon slices and optional vegetables. Pour the white wine or fish stock over the fish. Cover the basket or wok with a lid.
* **Cast Iron Skillet:** Place the walleye fillets in the cast iron skillet. Add the lemon slices and optional vegetables. Pour the white wine or fish stock over the fish. Cover the skillet with a lid.
**4. Steam the Walleye:**
* Place the steaming vessel on the indirect heat side of the grill. Close the grill lid.
* Steam the walleye for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
* If you are using a charcoal grill, you may need to add more wood chips to maintain a consistent smoky flavor.
**5. Check for Doneness:**
* Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the walleye. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet. The fish is done when it reaches 145°F (63°C).
* You can also check for doneness by gently flaking the fish with a fork. If it flakes easily and the flesh is opaque, it is cooked through.
**6. Serve:**
* Carefully remove the steaming vessel from the grill using heat-resistant gloves.
* Open the foil packet or lift the lid of the grill basket, wok, or cast iron skillet. Be careful of escaping steam.
* Serve the steamed walleye immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Tips for Grilling Success
* **Don’t Overcook:** Walleye is delicate and can dry out quickly if overcooked. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to the proper temperature.
* **Use High-Quality Wood Chips:** The type of wood chips you use will significantly impact the flavor of the fish. Experiment with different types to find your favorite combination.
* **Soak Wood Chips:** Soaking the wood chips in water prevents them from burning too quickly and produces more smoke.
* **Maintain Consistent Temperature:** Keep the grill temperature consistent for even cooking. Adjust the vents on your charcoal grill or the burner settings on your gas grill as needed.
* **Use Indirect Heat:** Cooking the walleye over indirect heat prevents it from burning and ensures it cooks evenly.
* **Add Flavor with Marinades:** Experiment with different marinades to add depth and complexity to the flavor of the walleye. Some popular options include lemon-herb marinade, garlic-butter marinade, and soy sauce-ginger marinade.
* **Pair with Complementary Sides:** Serve the steamed walleye with complementary side dishes such as grilled vegetables, rice pilaf, quinoa salad, or roasted potatoes.
* **Be Careful of Bones:** While walleye fillets are typically boneless, it’s always a good idea to check for any remaining bones before serving.
Flavor Variations and Marinade Ideas
* **Lemon-Herb Marinade:** Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, thyme), salt, and pepper.
* **Garlic-Butter Marinade:** Melt butter and combine with minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
* **Soy Sauce-Ginger Marinade:** Combine soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, honey, sesame oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
* **Spicy Cajun Marinade:** Combine olive oil, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
* **Mediterranean Marinade:** Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed walleye is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
* **Grilled Vegetables:** Asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and cherry tomatoes are all excellent choices.
* **Rice Pilaf:** A flavorful rice pilaf adds a comforting and satisfying element to the meal.
* **Quinoa Salad:** A light and refreshing quinoa salad provides a healthy and nutritious side dish.
* **Roasted Potatoes:** Roasted potatoes with herbs and garlic complement the delicate flavor of the walleye.
* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing adds freshness and balance to the meal.
* **Coleslaw:** Creamy or tangy coleslaw is a classic accompaniment to fish.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover steamed walleye, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the fish in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become dry.
Troubleshooting
* **Walleye is Dry:** Make sure you are using enough liquid in the steaming vessel and that the grill temperature is not too high. Avoid overcooking the fish.
* **Walleye is Undercooked:** Increase the cooking time and check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
* **Wood Chips are Burning Too Quickly:** Soak the wood chips in water for a longer period of time. Add more soaked wood chips to the coals as needed.
* **Not Enough Smoke Flavor:** Make sure the wood chips are in direct contact with the heat source and that the grill lid is closed to trap the smoke. Experiment with different types of wood chips to find your preferred flavor.
Nutritional Information
Walleye is a healthy and nutritious fish. A 3-ounce serving of walleye contains approximately:
* Calories: 100
* Protein: 20 grams
* Fat: 2 grams
* Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
* Cholesterol: 70 mg
* Sodium: 50 mg
Walleye is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Conclusion
Steaming walleye on the grill is a simple yet rewarding cooking technique that delivers incredibly moist, flavorful, and healthy fish. By following these steps and tips, you can master the art of grilling steamed walleye and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. Experiment with different marinades, seasonings, and side dishes to create your own signature walleye masterpiece. Happy grilling!