You'll love this tasty Blackened Grouper Sandwich, a classic Florida dish! I layer seasoned, fresh grouper on toasted rolls with a crunchy mango slaw and tangy lime aioli. Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes and you'll feel like you're dining oceanside, soaking up the Florida sun!
We eat a lot of seafood in my house. Not only is it nutritious, seafood is also quick and easy to cook, which makes it perfect for weeknight meals. Some of my favorite family-friendly seafood dishes are my Grilled Mahi Mahi, Salmon Burgers with Dill Yogurt Sauce, and New England Lobster Rolls. But this mouthwatering sandwich may just top the list!
Why you'll love this dish
A grouper sandwich is a must-have Florida dish that's a staple on restaurant menus! But you can make a pretty darn tasty and healthy grouper sandwich at home too.
My Blackened Grouper Sandwich features fresh, seasoned Florida grouper on a warm, toasted bun. I top it with a sweet, crunchy mango slaw and a tangy lime aioli. Yum! Even your kids will gobble it up.
When you dive into this sandwich, you'll feel like you're on vacation, dining on the beach, soaking up the sun. The only other thing you'll need is a cold drink in your hand!
Jump to:
What is a grouper sandwich?
Although it may not be as well known as a Cuban sandwich or key lime pie, the grouper sandwich is a Florida institution! After a long day at the beach, it's hard to beat a fresh grouper sandwich and a cold drink at a relaxing beachside cafe.
Grouper is the ideal fish for sandwiches because of its mild flavor and firm texture. It also pairs well with a wide variety of sauces and toppings. And it doesn't fall apart when you bite into it like some other types of fish.
There are more than twenty varieties of grouper found in the Gulf and Atlantic around Florida. Grouper is a firm white fish with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Its mild but distinctive flavor is somewhere between bass and halibut.
When cooked, grouper has a firm texture and large, chunky flakes. It's a lean fish but remains moist when cooked.
Grouper is also a versatile fish. You can grill it, bake it, pan fry it or poach it. One of the most popular ways to serve it is deep-fried on a sandwich.
A grouper sandwich can be fried, grilled, or blackened. A classic grouper sandwich is pretty simple- a piece of fresh fish served on a bun with perhaps a slice of tomato, lettuce, and a dollop of tartar sauce.
However there are endless variations of this classic sandwich- every restaurant has its own version! Some include a slice of American cheese on their sandwich. Others top their grouper with different types of slaws and flavored mayonnaise. I've even seen it sandwiched between two donuts!
What does "blackened" mean?
“Blackened” should not be confused with “burnt.” In the culinary world, blackened means that the food is coated in a blend of spices that takes on a very dark brown, almost black color when cooked. Blackened usually refers to meat, chicken or seafood. When the protein in seared in a pan, a light crust forms.
Blackening spices are typically blends that use traditional herbs and spices from Cajun and Creole cooking. Blackening is a great way to add flavor to your food without adding a lot of calories and fat. I use blackened mahi mahi in my tasty fish tacos, which I pair with a sweet mango chutney and creamy cilantro lime crema.
Doctor's Tips
Grouper is a very nutritious food. It's low in mercury, low in saturated fat, and high in protein. It's also a good source of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.
Grouper also contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, although not as much as fatty fish like salmon, herring or mackerel. Read my post all about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.
Because of all the health benefits, the Dietary Guidelines for American recommends eating at least 8 ounces (2 servings) of seafood per week. But in reality, about 94% of children and 80% of adults currently do not eat the recommended amount of seafood.
Ingredients
- Grouper fillets- the star of the dish
- Dried spices- I use paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt
- Olive oil- I use heart-healthy olive oil instead of butter to sear the fish in the skillet
- Coleslaw mix- the slaw adds a nice crunchy texture to this sandwich. You can use pre-packaged coleslaw mix or you can shred your own veggies. I use a combination of red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrots.
- Mango- I dice fresh mango and add it to the slaw for sweetness
- Lime juice- adds brightness to the slaw and also to the lime aioli
- Honey- adds a hint of sweetness to the slaw
- 2% Greek yogurt- forms the base of the creamy lime aioli
- Mayonnaise- gives you that classic tartar sauce flavor
- Fresh herbs- for an extra pop of flavor, I like to stir some fresh cilantro or parsley into the aioli
- Sandwich rolls- you can use any type of roll you like such as kaiser rolls, brioche rolls or hamburger buns. I like to use soft rolls like potato rolls. Sometimes I make smaller versions of this sandwich to serve at parties and use slider rolls. My kids also like the smaller sandwiches.
Instructions
1. Cook the grouper
First, make a simple spice rub by combining paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt together in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of the grouper fillets with the spice mix, rubbing it in. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the fish. I like to use a cast iron skillet.
Cook 4 minutes then carefully flip over and cook another 3-4 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
I like to cook the grouper in a skillet because I like the nice crust it gets when it sears in the pan. However, you can also throw it on the grill or bake it in the oven. Any of those methods are healthier than deep-frying it like restaurants do.
2. Make the mango slaw
I top the grouper with a sweet, crunchy mango slaw. First, make the dressing by whisking lime juice and honey together in a medium bowl. Then, add the shredded vegetables and diced mango, season with a pinch of salt, and toss to combine.
3. Make the lime aioli
The final touch is the creamy lime aioli that I drizzle on the sandwiches. The classic grouper sandwich uses tartar sauce but I love the way the tangy sauce complements the zesty fish and sweet slaw. I make the aioli with a mixture of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. Using Greek yogurt allows me to cut back on the amount of mayonnaise. Then I stir in fresh lime juice and some chopped, fresh herbs like cilantro or flat leaf parsley.
4. Assemble the sandwiches
Just before assembling the sandwiches, I toast the rolls. You don't want to serve the hot grouper on a cold bun! You can toast the rolls in a toaster oven or place them on a baking sheet and put them under the broiler for a minute or two.
Then, place the grouper fillets on the bottom halves of the toasted rolls. Top with a dollop of lime aioli and some mango slaw. Add the roll tops and serve!
What to serve with this dish
If you're a traditionalist, you can serve this sandwich with French fries, potato chips or sweet potato fries. For a healthier option, make my Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, Perfect Air Fryer Asparagus or Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes.
To make this sandwich a complete meal, serve it with a salad like my Tuscan Kale and Apple Salad, Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad or Butter Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk Herb Dressing.
To complete your meal, finish with a fruity dessert like fresh pineapple, berries, my Grilled Peaches with Greek Yogurt or a Blueberry Granita with Coconut Whipped Cream.
FAQs and chef's tips
Grouper has a mild yet distinct flavor. It's slightly sweet, similar to bass and halibut. Red grouper is sweeter and milder than black grouper.
Yes, it is! Grouper is low in mercury, low in saturated fat, and high in protein. It's also a good source of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.
If you can't find grouper, you can substitute any firm white fish like sea bass, mahi mahi, halibut or snapper.
You can test to see if your fish is done is by testing it with a fork, at the thickest part, and twisting gently. The fish will flake easily when it's done. Also, when it's cooked, it will lose its translucent appearance and will be opaque.
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Recipe
Blackened Grouper Sandwich with Mango Slaw
Equipment
Ingredients
Blackened Grouper
- 4 grouper fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Mango Slaw
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 ½ cups shredded red and green cabbage and carrots (can use packaged coleslaw mix)
- 1 cup diced mango
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
Lime Aioli
- 6 tablespoons 2% Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley (optional)
Other:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 sandwich rolls
Instructions
- To make the mango slaw, whisk the lime juice and honey together in a bowl. Add the cabbage, carrots, mango, and salt. Toss to combine.
- To make the lime aioli, mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, and herbs together in a bowl.
- To make the blackened grouper, first make a spice rub by combining the paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder and salt together in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of the fish with the spice mix, rubbing it in. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the grouper. Cook 4 minutes then carefully flip the pieces over and cook another 3-4 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
- To assemble the sandwiches, place each piece of grouper on a roll bottom and top with a dollop of lime aioli and some mango slaw. Add the roll tops and serve.
Lindsay The Toasted Pine Nut says
This looks so fun! The colors are gorgeous!! We love seafood too so I'll have to give this recipe a try (maybe minus the bun) 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Lindsay! You definitely don't need the bun 🙂
GlutenFreeHappyTummy says
those colors!!!
sonaliruder says
Thanks!!
Erin says
This recipe almost looks to pretty to eat! ALMOST! I mean, let's be honest, there is no way I could resist eating these nutritious sliders! Great recipe, Sonali!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Erin! I know what you mean, it was hard not eating them all up before taking these photos 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
Oh that spice, that fish, that color! You did good! did you save me some? On my way! hehe
sonaliruder says
Coming from a fish goddess like you, this means so much! We ate them all up, but I'll have a fresh batch waiting for you 🙂
Soymilk + Honey says
Yum! I feel like we don't eat enough seafood, but this should help motivate us!
sonaliruder says
I hope it does! As always, thanks for stopping by 🙂
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom says
Gorgeous! Can't wait for summer because I am definitely making this. Pinning now 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Liz! Why wait for summer 😉
Kelly says
This is gorgeous! I love all the colors from the slaw. I will have to try this, we eat cod quite often over here!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Kelly! I was so happy with how these came out. I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Deanna - Teaspoon of Spice says
Now I know what I'm doing with that cod in my freezer!!
sonaliruder says
Perfect 🙂
Kristy @ Chocolate Slopes says
Love these! I'm always looking for different ways to cook fish and I just so happen to have cod in my freezer!
sonaliruder says
That's perfect! I hope you enjoy them and thanks for stopping by!
Arman Liew says
This isn't food, Sonali. This is edible art. Edible art which I request my first meal to be in NYC 😉
sonaliruder says
Oh no, I can't believe I have to break it to you that I'm no longer in NYC! I've been in Fort Lauderdale, FL for 2+ years. But how about we make this your first meal down here 🙂
anne@cravingSomethingHealthy.com says
OMG You had me at mango confetti slaw!
sonaliruder says
Haha, that's awesome!
Farrah says
My friend and I are definitely gonna have to make this sometime when I move in with her in July!!! *-* These look super-amazing!
sonaliruder says
I can't wait to hear more about the move! Thanks so much Farrah!
Mira Cookinglsl says
These sliders look so delicious and of course - healthy! Pinned for later!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Mira! Enjoy 🙂
Melanie says
The colors alone makes this look delicious, not to mention all the healthy ingredients! I'm definitely going to have to try this recipe soon! Great post!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Melanie, I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Trish @ Well Worn Fork says
This looks super delicious! I wish I was having it for dinner tonight!
sonaliruder says
I have leftovers waiting for you 🙂 Thanks Trish!
Shashi Charles says
When I looked at that picture of the cod in that pan (3rd from top), I had instant activation of those salivary glands in the back of my mouth! This seasoned cod looks so good! And paired with the Mango Confetti Slaw and Cilantro Aioli - each bite must have been heaven! I wanna trade places with your toddler!
sonaliruder says
I'm so excited to have triggered such a response! And I want to trade places with your daughter, so things might get complicated 🙂
Jessica Levinson says
Every component of this dish looks delicious on it's own, so I can only imagine how good this is when joined together! My kids really like fish, so I'll have to try this with them. Another fun way for kids to eat fish is in tacos!
sonaliruder says
Fish tacos are awesome, that's such a great suggestion...I'm going to edit my post 🙂 Thanks so much Jessica!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
YUM! I love all of the colors! I'm a huge fish fan too but my husband doesn't feel the same way. I bet he'd eat these though 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Elizabeth! Maybe these will convert your husband, don't you just love seafood?
Rebecca Pytell says
The Cod looks fantastic! One type of fish I don't eat enough of!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Rebecca!
Katie Serbinski says
Slaw on any sandwich [especially sliders] is SOOO good! I think I'll be dreaming about this recipe all day. Cod is such an underused piece of fish. I love it!
sonaliruder says
Cod really is underused but it's so good! Thanks so much Katie and I'm totally with you about slaw on sammies 🙂