Make Blackened Cobia in Destin
Just in Time for Cobia Season!
Cobia season is on the horizon! It’s migration season for these fish, and from late March until the beginning of May, you’ll be able to spot them swimming all throughout our waters. The World Cobia Championship, hosted by popular Destin restaurant Harbor Docks, officially kicks off the start of cobia season on March 27th as well as serves as the start of the fishing tournament season. After all, Destin is known as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village for a good reason! Cobia are not only fun to catch because of their size – weighing up to 170 lbs! – but are also incredibly tasty. Cobia has a fresh, clean flavor and is not “fishy.” With subtle buttery undertones and a flaky texture, it’s deliciously grilled, sauteed, or even blackened. It’s even incredibly healthy and full of vitamins, minerals, and good-for-you Omega-3 fats. In this month’s Southern Scoop, we’re going to teach you how to make Blackened Cobia just in time for Destin’s cobia season. Once you reel in your catch, be sure to ice it and prepare straight away for maximum flavor!
If you aren’t out in the Gulf catching cobia, you can pick it up from local seafood markets – check out Sexton’s in Destin or even Destin Ice Seafood Market.
What You’ll Need:
| 4 skinless cobia fillets | 2 tbsp olive oil | 1 lemon | 3 tbsp smoked paprika | |
| 1 tsp salt | 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder | 1 tsp ground black pepper | 1 tbsp powdered onion | |
| 1 tsp dried oregano | 1 tsp cayenne pepper | 1 tsp dried thyme | 1 cup unsalted butter |
Preparation:
- Combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, powdered onion, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme together in a bowl and mix.
- Preheat a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil to the pan.
- Measure out 3/4 cup of butter and set aside the remaining 1/4 cup. Dip each cobia fillet into butter, coating both sides. Then, coat the fish in the blackening spice mix, gently rubbing in to ensure an even distribution of spices.
- Place fillets into the pan and make sure they don’t crowd or touch (cook in batches if necessary). Cook for about two minutes per side or until they have a charred appearance. Spoon butter over each side while it cooks. Once cooked, remove and squeeze lemon juice onto the finished fillets.
- Serve with your favorite sides including cornbread, garlic mashed potatoes, grits, or roasted vegetables, and enjoy!
Enjoy!
We hope you loved our blackened cobia recipe! With all of the health benefits cobia offers, it’s hard not to enjoy this delicious recipe. Plus, it’s just in time for cobia season in Destin!
If you have made and enjoyed any of our Southern scoop recipes, be sure to share your photos with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. And, if you’re getting ready for Spring Break in Destin, be sure to browse our wide inventory of Destin vacation rentals to find your perfect beach home or condo!