Grilling Wahoo fish

Grilled Ono with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

We are BIG fans of Wahoo fish and with having lived in Hawaii , we had many occasions to experiment with this fine fish...

Ono or Wahoo, they are one and the same! Wahoo fish is the fastest fish in the ocean and it's firm white flaky flesh is such a perfect texture for grilling. It is considered a prize fish when caught and is often called "ono".

One important issue with Ono is it can be dry, so it is important not to overcook it!

A great grilled Wahoo fish recipe is with "Mojo de Ajo" sauce. The translation is essentially "drenched in garlic". This dish is simple and a crowd pleaser.It is an easy and delicious toasted garlic butter. For garlic lovers,it will become a family favorite.

Also,keep in mind that this Mojo de Ajo Sauce can be used with any fish or shellfish. I really like this with is Tombo/ Fresh Albacore Tuna, grilled medium rare. We actually brought this back from our days of living in Mexico.

One important note, check out our other fish pages too! Many of the sauces and preparations work super for Ono or Wahoo!

For four portions

4 Six to 8 ounce Ono/Wahoo fish Filets

A mild fish rub or paprika

Salt and Pepper

Canola Oil for prepping the fish for the grill

1/8 stick of butter

3 to 4 cloves fresh Garlic smashed with the flat side of the knife then slice thin.

2 Key Limes or 1 large Lime

Salt and Pepper to taste

Chopped Cilantro for garnish

Mojo de Ajo Sauce

1/8 stick of butter

3 to 4 cloves fresh Garlic smashed with the flat side of the knife then slice thin.

2 Key Limes or 1 large Lime

Salt and Pepper to taste

Chopped Cilantro for garnish

Melt the butter on low heat in a sauté pan.

Add garlic and increase the heat to medium. The idea here is to slowly cook the garlic and not brown it too fast. So keep an eye on the pan, the edges of the garlic should turn golden brown, remove the pan from heat, then squeeze in the lime juice. Be careful of the splatter.

Grill your fish, and pour the "Mojo de Ajo: Sauce over the top. Great with typical Mexican sides, like black beans and rice and corn tortillas. We will often make a Caesar salad, which is a great compliment to the garlic flavors.

Ono nearly broke my mouth! The Hawaiian way of saying "it was delicious!" FYI ;)

Grilled Wahoo Fish with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

This is a wonderful grilled wahoo fish recipe and the sauce can be used on any grilled fish. This grilling Ono recipe is simple and easy, quick too. Ono or Wahoo is the fastest fish in the sea, when fishing you think that a rocket took off with your bait or line. Good fun!

Ono is a very lean fish and is not good cooked well done or overcooked so keep an eye on it and cook to medium or medium well at the most.

Four Portions

4 Six to 8 ounce Ono/Wahoo Filets

A mild fish rub or paprika

Salt and Pepper

Prepare your Ono for the grill, rinse, salt and I like to sprinkle a little paprika for the color. Just a little. Coat your filets with some olive oil. I like to use high heat on my Ono, so nice hot coals or let the gas grill get up to 500 degrees.

Grill your Ono making nice grill marks on the hot grill. For timing figure something like six to 8 minute per inch of thickness of the filet. As mentioned previously do not overcook your Ono.

Top with the Lemon Caper sauce from this link.
Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

This is a great sauce for just about anything, grilled fish, shellfish, chicken breasts or event thinly pounded pork tenderloin.

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter

1/2 Lemon juiced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon capers (if using dry salted capers rinse)

1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley or other herbs if you like.

After your fish is grilled and ready heat a saute pan on medium high heat, add the olive oil and the butter. Reduce heat to medium. As the butter melts completely add the capers. Saute for a minute, add the lemon. Watch out for the sizzle!

Pour the sauce over your grilled delicacies. I like to serve this with a nice creamy carbonara pasta, rissoto or rice pilaf. Since the sauce is a bit Italian, those go well. Grilled asparagus goes nicely with the sauce as well. For wine, I like Four Vines Wineries Naked Chardonnay, big un-oaked chardonnay fruit or a pinot noir.

Enjoy!