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Whole Grouper Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to whole grouper products
About whole grouper
Grouper is a meaty white fish that belongs to the sea bass family. It has firm flesh with a flavor that's similar to halibut or bass. Grouper comes from the South Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. The meat is white, both raw and cooked. This mild-tasting fish doesn't have the strong "fishy" flavor that some people find unappealing. Rather, it's good at taking on the flavor of the seasonings that it's prepared with. It is slightly sweet and may remind you of crab or lobster.
Grouper breaks into large flakes. It's oily enough to retain its moistness through nearly any type of preparation. There are many different types of grouper that you may find in the store. Some common options include:
- Black grouper: Black grouper is usually around 20 pounds. It has firm flesh and a stronger flavor than other types of grouper.
- Red grouper: Red grouper is usually between 5 and 15 pounds. It's sweeter than black grouper with softer flesh.
- Strawberry grouper: Also known as calico grouper, this speckled grouper has a mild, sweet flavor. They're usually between 2 and 4 pounds.
There are many other types of grouper in the ocean, but most are not sold commercially. About 70% of the grouper harvest in North America is red grouper, so if a package doesn't specify the type of grouper, it's most likely this variety. Though grouper can get very large, the smaller whole fish are healthier. You can leave your Instacart shopper a note specifying the preferred size for your fish as well as other details!
Whole grouper cooking tips
When cooking grouper whole, it's important to think carefully about your seasonings. This mild fish will take on the flavor of the herbs and spices that you cook it with, so you can get dramatically different results depending on the recipe you use. Rosemary, thyme, and orange slices give the grouper a bright, citrusy kick. Ginger, soy sauce, and cilantro create a distinctly Asian-inspired dish. You might season the fish simply with salt and pepper for tropical flair, then top with mango salsa for serving.
You can prepare a whole fish by baking it, grilling it, or even steaming it. You will typically place your herbs and seasonings inside the fish to cook. You should cook grouper until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. You do not want to eat the skin of grouper. It's very tough with a strong flavor, so you should remove this before serving.
If you prefer not to cook grouper whole, you might filet the fish before preparing it. The firm flesh of grouper is great for fried fish. Just dip it in flour, then batter, and drop into a pan of hot oil or a deep fryer. The mild flavor makes it hard to go wrong. The seasonings you add to your batter will stand out, while the creamy fish provides a delicious background. Old Bay Seasoning or lemon pepper are popular choices. Serve with hush puppies and coleslaw for a satisfying feast.
Whole Grouper Near Me
Buy your favorite Whole Grouper online with Instacart. Order Whole Grouper from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about whole grouper
Grouper is high in mercury, so you should eat this fish with care. You should eat grouper no more than three times a month. Women who are pregnant or nursing and children may want to avoid grouper entirely.
Grouper are predatory fish and can cause ciguatera poisoning, particularly if they're very large. Ciguatera poisoning is caused by eating fish that have a lot of dinoflagellate algae in them. This toxin tends to accumulate in large predator fish because they are, in turn, eating smaller fish that have consumed large amounts of the algae. The toxin is tasteless and is not affected by cooking.
Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and numbness or tingling in the body. Individuals may also feel hot as cold or vice versa. Symptoms typically go away in a few days but may last for weeks or months. There is no treatment.
You can minimize your chances of suffering from ciguatera poisoning by only consuming whole grouper that's five pounds or less.
Grouper's flavor and consistency are similar to snapper, though snapper is a little more delicate. Sea bass is related and very similar as well. Mahi-mahi is another firm white fish though the flavor is slightly stronger than grouper. Dogfish is firm with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Dogfish is especially good for fish and chips.
You can order whole grouper and other types of seafood through Instacart. Simply set up your account through the Instacart website or app and start browsing the available groceries at participating stores in your area! Fill your cart, and you can enjoy same-day delivery or store pickup. Start shopping now!