Grilled Mackerel Recipes

WHOLE GRILLED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 or 4 seconds). Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes in skin on both sides of fish. Open fish like a book. Season inside with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. Thinly slice 1 lemon; arrange lemon and thyme sprigs over 1 side of fish. Close fish, and rub oil all over skin.
• Grill fish until skin is charred on 1 side, about 10 minutes. Carefully turn fish; cover, and cook until flesh inside is opaque, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer fish to a platter, and open like a book. Drizzle with oil and juice from remaining lemon.

GRILLED MACKEREL WITH TOASTED GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat and oil the grates with a brush or towel.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the smashed garlic.
• Make 3 deep cuts on each side of the fish. Season fillets generously with salt and pepper. Place flesh side-down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip fish over and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from grill and brush with some of the garlic butter (about 2 tablespoons).
• Squeeze 1/2 of a lime over each fillet and serve immediately.

GRILLED MACKEREL WITH SWEET SOY GLAZE

Steps:

• Score the mackerel fillets a couple of times on the skin, then lay them in a shallow dish. Sprinkle with the lime zest and juice, and leave to marinate for 5-10 mins.
• Place all of the sauce ingredients in a small pan with a splash of water and gradually bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 mins to thicken slightly, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Turn the grill to its highest setting and place the mackerel on a greased baking tray, skin side up. Sprinkle the fillets with the olive oil and some sea salt, then grill for 5 mins until the flesh is opaque and cooked through.
• Divide bok choi between plates, lay 2 mackerel fillets on top, drizzle with the sauce and serve with a wedge of lime.

GRILLED WHOLE MACKEREL WITH LEMON, OREGANO, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Whisk together zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, then add olive oil in a stream, whisking until combined well. Whisk in olives and chopped oregano.
• Make 1-inch-long slits at 2-inch intervals down middle of fish on both sides with a sharp paring knife, then brush fish all over with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Season fish cavity with salt and pepper, then evenly distribute 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs in cavity. Close cavity, then evenly arrange remaining 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs on top of fish and tie fish closed with string at 2-inch intervals, securing lemon slices and oregano sprigs to fish.
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderate.
• Grill fish on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, 15 minutes. Turn fish over using a metal spatula and tongs, then grill until just cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
• Transfer fish to a large platter using 2 metal spatulas, then cut and discard string. Serve fish with sauce.

JAPANESE BROILED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Rinse fillets, and pat dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, sugar and fresh ginger. Place fillets into the marinade, and let stand for at least 20 minutes.
• Preheat your ovens broiler, or an outdoor grill for high heat. Broil the fillets, basting occasionally, until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with a lemon slice or long white radish slice as a garnish.