This delightful dish combines the rich, buttery flavor of grilled pompano with the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes. It's a perfect balance of savory and sweet, making it an ideal meal for any occasion. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors to shine through, creating a memorable dining experience.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to visit the seafood section for fresh pompano fish. Ensure the fish is cleaned and gutted for convenience. Additionally, freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, so pick up a couple of lemons if you don't have them at home.
Ingredients for Grilled Pompano with Sweet Potatoes
Pompano fish: A mild, buttery fish that is perfect for grilling.
Sweet potatoes: Adds a natural sweetness and pairs well with the fish.
Olive oil: Used for roasting the sweet potatoes and brushing the fish.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of both the fish and sweet potatoes.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the dish.
Paprika: Provides a smoky flavor and vibrant color to the fish.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor to the fish.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a bright, tangy finish to the fish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When grilling pompano fish, make sure to oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Additionally, score the skin of the fish lightly with a knife before seasoning. This helps the seasonings penetrate better and ensures even cooking. For the sweet potatoes, ensure they are cut into uniform cubes to promote even roasting. Tossing them halfway through the roasting time will also help achieve a crispy exterior.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pompano fish - Substitute with tilapia: Tilapia has a mild flavor and firm texture similar to pompano, making it a suitable alternative for grilling.
sweet potatoes - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweetness and texture when roasted, providing a comparable flavor profile.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it an excellent substitute for grilling.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly milder flavor but can be used in the same quantity to provide a similar spiciness.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor that complements grilled dishes well, while still providing the same color and mild heat.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder provides a similar depth of flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and can be used to add a fresh, tangy flavor to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the grilled pompano and roasted sweet potatoes to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the food soggy.
Place the cooled pompano fish in an airtight container. If you have multiple pieces, layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Store the sweet potatoes separately in another airtight container. This prevents the flavors from mixing and keeps the textures distinct.
Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. The grilled fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, while the sweet potatoes can last up to 5 days.
For freezing, wrap each piece of pompano fish individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps maintain their flavor and texture.
The sweet potatoes can be frozen in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferred to a freezer-safe bag or container once frozen. This prevents them from clumping together.
When ready to reheat, thaw the pompano fish and sweet potatoes in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps preserve their quality.
Reheat the pompano fish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the grill for a few minutes on each side.
Reheat the sweet potatoes in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, or until they regain their crispiness. You can also use a microwave, but the texture may be softer.
Enjoy your grilled pompano and roasted sweet potatoes as if they were freshly made!
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the grilled pompano and roasted sweet potatoes on a baking sheet.
- Cover the fish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is warmed through and the sweet potatoes are hot.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
- Place the grilled pompano in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is warmed through.
- In a separate skillet, reheat the roasted sweet potatoes for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Microwave Method:
- Place the grilled pompano and roasted sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until the fish and sweet potatoes are heated through.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the grilled pompano in the steamer basket and cover.
- Steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the fish is warmed through.
- In a separate steamer basket, reheat the roasted sweet potatoes for about 5 minutes.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the grilled pompano and roasted sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the pompano fish, providing a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Baking sheet: Used to spread out the sweet potatoes for roasting in the oven.
Oven: Used to roast the sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) until they are tender and slightly crispy.
Brush: Used to apply olive oil to the pompano fish before grilling.
Tongs: Used to flip the fish on the grill to ensure even cooking on both sides.
Fork: Used to check if the fish is done by testing if the flesh flakes easily.
Lemon squeezer: Used to extract freshly squeezed lemon juice to drizzle over the grilled fish.
Knife: Used to peel and cube the sweet potatoes before roasting.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to peel and cube the sweet potatoes.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Clean and gut the pompano fish and cube the sweet potatoes the night before.
Use a grill basket: It makes flipping the fish easier and prevents sticking.
Microwave sweet potatoes: Partially cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave for 5 minutes before roasting to cut down on oven time.
Season in advance: Mix the olive oil and spices ahead of time to quickly brush onto the fish.
Double batch: Roast extra sweet potatoes to use in other meals throughout the week.

Grilled Pompano with Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces Pompano fish cleaned and gutted
- 2 large Sweet Potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes, or until tender and slightly crispy.
- While the sweet potatoes are roasting, brush the pompano fish with the remaining olive oil and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Grill the fish for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Once the fish is done, drizzle with lemon juice.
- Serve the grilled pompano with the roasted sweet potatoes.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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