Grilled Zanzibar-Style Spiced Fish with Tamarind Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Fresh fish marinated in a blend of warm spices and grilled to perfection with a tangy tamarind glaze inspired by the flavors of Zanzibar. This African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs whole snapper, cleaned and scaled, tamarind paste, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs whole snapper, cleaned and scaled
3 tbsp tamarind paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tamarind paste, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
Step 2: Score the 1.5 lbs whole snapper on both sides with 3 diagonal cuts, then rub the marinade inside and out, ensuring it penetrates the flesh. Let marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Place the marinated snapper on the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, basting occasionally with remaining marinade, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.