Skate Wing

Skate wing is a delicious and unique seafood option that’s gaining popularity among home cooks and grilling enthusiasts. With its mild, sweet flavor and tender texture, it’s a fantastic choice for those looking to try something new on the grill. In this guide, you’ll learn all about skate wing, what it tastes like, and how to grill it to perfection using a grill basket.

What is Skate Wing?

Skate wing is the fan-shaped pectoral fin of the skate fish, a member of the ray family. Unlike typical fish fillets, skate wings have a distinct, layered texture with delicate striations of meat. They are prized in the seafood world for their mild, sweet flavor and tender yet firm bite. Often found in coastal cuisines, skate wing is a hidden gem for adventurous home cooks and seafood lovers.

What Does Skate Wing Taste Like?

The flavor of skate wing is often compared to scallops or crab, with a mild sweetness. Its texture is soft and slightly fibrous, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience when cooked properly. Because skate wing has a delicate taste, it pairs well with buttery sauces, fresh herbs, and citrus.

Grilled Skate Wing on Grill Grates

How to Grill Skate Wing with a Grill Basket

Grilling skate wing can be a delicious way to enhance its natural flavor. Using a grill basket ensures the delicate fish stays intact and doesn’t stick to the grates. Follow these steps for perfectly grilled skate wing:

Ingredients:

• 2 skate wing fillets
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 4 cups broccoli rabe
• 1/4 pound ground sweet sausage
• 10 quartered white mushrooms
• garlic powder
• 1/4 stick salted butter

Grilled Skate Wing in Grill Basket

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (around 400°F).
2. Prepare the Fish: Pat the skate wing dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt.
3. Use the Grill Basket: Place the skate wings in a lightly oiled grill basket. The basket prevents the delicate flesh from falling apart.
4. Grill the Skate Wing: Place the basket on the grill over direct heat and cook for 4-5 minutes per side. The fish will become opaque and easily flake with a fork when done.
5. Add Flavor: During the last minute of grilling, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish.
6. Finish: Remove from the grill and drizzle melted butter over the fish.
7. Serve: Plate with cooked broccoli rabe, ground sweet sausage, garlic powder and mushrooms.

Why Should You Use a Grill Basket for Skate Wing?

Using a grill basket when grilling skate wing is a game changer. Skate wing’s delicate texture can make it prone to sticking or falling apart on the grill grates. A grill basket provides a secure, non-stick surface that helps maintain the fish’s shape while allowing heat to circulate evenly. It also makes flipping the fish much easier without worrying about it breaking apart. Plus, the basket’s design minimizes flare-ups and prevents smaller pieces from slipping through the grates, resulting in a beautifully grilled skate wing every time.

Serving Suggestions:

Grilled skate wing pairs beautifully with a variety of roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or garlic butter potatoes. For this recipe, it is paired with broccoli rabe, mushrooms, and ground sweet sausage.  A butter sauce is also drizzled over the fish for additional flavor.

Enjoy this unique seafood delicacy right from your grill and impress your guests with the gourmet flavors of skate wing. For more seafood grilling tips and recipes, follow along and explore more culinary adventures!

Grilled Skate Wing with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

Print Recipe

Skate Wing on the Grill

By Drew – Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes – Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Skate wing is a delicious and unique seafood option that's gaining popularity among home cooks and grilling enthusiasts. With its mild, sweet flavor and tender texture, it's a fantastic choice for those looking to try something new on the grill.

Ingredients

• 2 skate wing fillets
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• Salt 
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 4 cups broccoli rabe
• 1/4 pound ground sweet sausage
• 10 quartered white mushrooms
• garlic powder
• 1/4 stick salted butter

Instructions

1

Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (around 400°F).

2

Prepare the Fish: Pat the skate wing dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt. 

3

Use the Grill Basket: Place the skate wings in a lightly oiled grill basket. The basket prevents the delicate flesh from falling apart.

4

Grill the Skate Wing: Place the basket on the grill over direct heat and cook for 4-5 minutes per side. The fish will become opaque and easily flake with a fork when done.

5

Add Flavor: During the last minute of grilling, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish.

6

Finish: Remove from the grill and drizzle melted butter over the fish. 

7

Serve: Plate with cooked broccoli rabe, sausage, garlic powder and mushrooms.