Grilled Mackerel

This Oven Grilled Mackerel is easy to make and packed with flavorful spices and herbs. When it comes to grilled fish recipes, this is the blog for it. Check out my other seafood recipes, they are worth trying and super tasty.

Discover the rich, bold flavors of perfectly grilled mackerel, a dish that demonstrates how high-heat cooking can transform this often-overlooked fish into a gourmet delight. The careful balance of heat and timing used here is similar to our approach in preparing juicy pan-grilled pork chops with a caramelized exterior. For those new to grilling fish, the techniques employed in this recipe can be easily adapted to other species, such as our tasty grilled whole catfish. If you're feeling adventurous, apply these same grilling principles to create our Caribbean-style grilled red snapper, infusing your meal with tropical flair.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• This recipe is so simple.
• Mackerel is inexpensive and easy to find.
• Fish is a nutritious alternative to beef and is known for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly associated with heart health.
• The ingredients are easy to find and mostly pantry items.
• Less items to clean up.

INGREDIENTS USED

• Whole Mackerel: Make sure it's gutted and scaled. Tell your fishmonger to do it or buy already gutted fish.
• Dried thyme
• Dried parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Ginger powder
• Onion powder
• Ground Coriander seeds
• Bouillion
• Paprika
• Cooking oil

HOW TO SELECT FRESH FISH

First, Select the fish you want to grill or roast. Watch out for:

1. The freshness of the fish: Make sure the fish has:

1. Eyes: They should be clear and not cloudy. Eyes shouldn’t be sunken but bulged.
2. Smell: Feel free to get the smell closer to the fish. The smell alone will tell you if the fish is fresh or not.
3. Skin should be firm when touched and plump back up. It shouldn’t leave any dent when touched.
4. Color: Fish shouldn’t have brown colour around the skin or gills.

2. The type of fish you want to grill: I always recommend white fish like red snapper, mackerel, branzino, sea bass, sea bream, pompano, and more. Also, fish have eyes on both sides of the head.

IMPORTANT RECIPE TIPS AND VARIATIONS

• If you want to reduce the fish smell, wash it with vinegar and lemon juice, then rinse it with water.
• You can use a whole white fish. Tilapia, sea bream and sea bass are good options, too.
• It's always advisable to make deep cuts on both sides of the fish so the marinade can penetrate the flesh.
• You can also use a BBQ grill. If your oven has no grill option, use the broil or roast option.
• If you want to bake the mackerel, this is a perfect Baked Mackerel Recipe

HOW TO GRILL THE PERFECT WHOLE MACKEREL

• Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and put the rack on it. Set aside.
• In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir using a spoon.

• Pat dry the fish with a paper towel and make deep diagonal slits on both sides of the fish. Pat dry again.

• Rub the marinade on both sides of the fish and belly, making sure it goes deep into the slits.

• Cover it and let it marinade for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Put the fish on the rack, spray or rub oil on it, and let it go to the oven.

• Test doneness with a thermometer or use a fork to pull a small fish section. Fish should be white and flaky or removed easily from the bone.
• Transfer to a plate and serve right away.

YOU MAY LIKE THESE OTHER RECIPES

1. Baked Mackerel
2. Baked Tilapia
3. Baked Red Snapper
4. Grilled Catfish
5. Mediterranean Baked Fish Fillets