Grilled Sheepshead

Our grilled sheepshead recipe results in a flaky, sweet fish you will be delighted to serve your family and friends. Sometimes called poor man’s lobster, this lovely fish is moist and tender. In under 10 minutes, you can make this delicious, crispy Grilled Sheepshead topped with garlic butter using a blazing hot cast-iron skillet.

🍽️ Why This Works

Naturally juicy. Sheepshead fish has a high healthy-fat content. As a result, it cooks up moist and tender.

Fast and easy. A simple seasoning and ten minutes on the grill is all you need. Your fish will be ready so quickly you will feel spoiled.

Best way to cook sheepshead fish. We love the simplicity of this recipe with salt, pepper and a compound garlic butter to finish it off. The moisture and flavor of the fish shine through when cooked in very hot cast iron with a closed grill and simple ingredients.

🐟 Ingredients

📝 Ingredient Notes

Sheepshead – A flakey and tender fish with a sweet flavor reminiscent of shellfish.

Olive Oil – Keeps the sheepshead fish from sticking as it grills.

Salt and Pepper – To taste.

Garlic Butter – This compound butter is made from garlic, butter, dried parsley, and lemon wedges. It takes the grilled sheepshead over the top. Use freshly minced garlic for best results.

What is sheepshead fish?

Sheepshead fish is a saltwater fish found in coastal waters along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, with the highest concentration off the Florida coast. It can grow as large as 30″ in length with a common size between 10-20″.

Sheepshead has a high moisture and fat content, with a flavor similar to shellfish. It is also called drum fish, or poor man’s lobster.

Where can I buy sheepshead?

While this fish is most often caught fresh and not bought, it can be purchased in some local seafood markets along the Atlantic coast.

⏲️ Equipment and Tools

Cast Iron Skillet. Using cast iron cookware on the grill is wonderful because it gets so beautifully hot and creates a perfect sear. It allows you to cook things like this fish, which would otherwise stick to the grill grates or fall apart.

🔥 Instructions

Step One: Get your grill heating up with a cast iron skillet in place. While it’s getting hot, fillet the fish if needed. Rinse to remove any debris from the filleting process. Pat the fish dry.

Step Two: Salt and pepper the fish to your taste.

Step Three: In a microwave safe container, melt the butter and add in the minced garlic and dried parsley.

Step Four: Once the grill and skillet are 500ºF, reduce the grill to 425ºF. Put the olive oil in the skillet.

Step Five: Place the fish on the hot skillet and close the grill. Grill the fish two to three minutes per side. We cook our Grouper Cheeks in the cast iron in similar fashion.

Step Six: Flip one last time and grill for one to three minutes. The fish should visibly pull up as it finishes, and be white and flakey with a crispy golden exterior.

Step Seven: Pour the garlic butter over the fillets and remove from the grill, putting out the charcoal coals for the night.

❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks

You will see the sides of the fish start to turn white and pull away from the cast iron. That is how you know when to flip it. Don’t flip too early.

The fish should be golden brown on both sides with a delicious crispy exterior created by the hot cast iron.

Don’t forget to put the cast iron skillet in the grill as you preheat it and get it good and hot. That’s what crisps it up so beautifully.

How to cook sheepshead on the stove if it rains. Grilling sheepshead is a great way to kick off summer, but if you need to bring it inside because of rain or other weather issues, try our stove top version for the sheepshead fish recipe. Using a similar method, heat up the cast iron in the oven at 500 degrees.

Once it is brought up to temperature, remove it, place on burner. Heat the stove to medium high heat and pour the olive oil in the cast iron. Place the sheepshead in the hot cast iron and cook for 2-3 minutes using the same method as grilling. Flip and then finish cooking for 1-3 minutes. Top with the garlic butter. 

🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one or two days. USDA says 3 days maximum, just as we a talk about in how long does salmon last in the fridge. Move the cooked fillets to the freezer if you have too much and use it within one or two months.

Leftover sheepshead can be reheated in a skillet or used like crab meat in a dip, soup, salad, scrambled eggs, an omelet, etc.

You can clean and freeze the sheepshead you catch. Vacuum-seal the sheepshead or freeze it wrapped and sealed in airtight containers. It can be kept frozen for 3 months.

Meal Prep

Clean and fillet the sheepshead ahead of time to get it all ready to go, especially if you are grilling for a crowd. Rinse the cleaned fish, pat it dry, and keep it refrigerated until you are almost ready with a hot grill.

Measure the garlic and parsley directly into a glass measuring cup with the amount of butter needed, and set it aside as the fish is finishing up on the grill. This way you can delegate the task of melting the butter to a child or guest and it will be ready to go with a quick stir.

Clean, fillet, and freeze extra sheepshead if you’ve caught too much for one meal. Make sure to use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed packaging.

Additions and Substitutions

The sweet and delicious meat of sheepshead fish is definitely one you should try out when you get a chance. However, if you haven’t caught any or can’t find it in the market but just want to get some fish on the grill, you can use this same method and recipe to cook your favorite fish.

Add extra seasoning or use your favorite dry rub to change up the flavors. Just keep in mind that this is a sweet fish and will pair well with flavors that complement that sweetness. Here are a few of our favorite flavor combinations for grilled sheepshead.

• Lemon Butter Sauce
• Lime and Cilantro with a little heat.
• Garlic and Ginger with Brown Sugar
• Old Bay Seasoning with marjoram and rosemary added.
• Cinnamon and Oregano
• Taco Seasoning
• Teriyaki Sauce

Serving Suggestions

Round out your meal by serving sheepshead fish alongside grilled potatoes or rice, cheddar biscuits, grilled beer corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad, mushroom risotto, or grilled veggies like zucchini or broccolini.

❓ Recipe FAQ

Related Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!