Fresh Mackerel Recipe from Spain

If you love enjoying seafood dishes but you want to start with the basic ones, then the Spanish mackerel recipes are waiting for you.

The fresh mackerel recipe has one of the easiest approaches on how to prepare mackerel, yet the finished product is a dish worthy of being served in an award-winning restaurant.

Read this article and learn how to grill mackerel filets, some cool historical facts, and some helpful tips to store and serve Spanish recipes like this one.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish fish recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Spanish baked mackerel recipe

• Mackerel patty recipe

• Mackerel pate recipe

Background of the Dish

There isn’t an exact date for the creation of the fresh mackerel recipe, but it is one of the most popular dishes in Andalusia, especially if compared to other regular or cold smoked mackerel recipes.

Grilling is a common cooking method in Southern Spain due to its simplicity and its ability to enhance the natural flavors of fresh seafood.

The fresh mackerel recipe reaches its peak during the warmer months, as it gives you the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal.

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Things You’ll Need for Fresh Mackerel Recipe

To prepare this fresh mackerel recipe you will need mackerel filets, garlic cloves, olive oil, and other herbs and spices as the main ingredients.

As well as other grilled mackerel recipes, if you don’t have a grill you can cook it in the oven or a frying pan.

Ingredients

• 4 fresh mackerel filets, cleaned and scaled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Lemon wedges and fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Fresh Mackerel Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. To start with this fresh mackerel recipe you have to preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 350-400°F or 175-200°C). Make sure the grates are clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking.

2. To continue with this fish mackerel recipe, peel and mince the garlic. Also, zest and juice one lemon.

3. Now grab a small bowl and combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to create a marinade for the Spanish mackerel fish.

4. Then, place the mackerel filet in a shallow dish or bowl. Pour the marinade over the filets, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for about 15-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

5. After that, remove the Spanish style mackerel from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill. 

6. Grill the fish for about 5 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time for the mackerel filet recipe may vary depending on the thickness of the filets.

7. To finish this fresh mackerel recipe transfer the grilled fish to a serving platter. Optionally, garnish the grilled mackerel with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

Substitution of Ingredients

We are the biggest fans of grilled Spanish mackerel recipes because they only call for a few ingredients, and thankfully this one isn’t the exception.

You can add any herbs and spices to the marinade of this fresh mackerel recipe, such as; paprika, turmeric, rosemary, parsley, etc.

Do you like spicy mackerel filet recipes? Then add 1 tablespoon of hot sauce and chili flakes to the marinade for this recipe.

If you don’t have a grill then you can follow other recipes for fresh mackerel, such as the baked mackerel in foil or the salted mackerel recipe.

You can also try the fresh mackerel pate recipe where you can use a fresh mackerel fillet.

Instead of mackerel you could use another fish filet, such as cod or hake, but it might be different than how to cook fresh mackerel, so make sure to follow the right cooking process.

Try the peppered mackerel recipe or the roasted mackerel recipe, two delicious and easy Spanish mackerel recipes.

Tips on Serving Fresh Mackerel Recipe

With this fresh mackerel recipe, you have the best main dish for lunch or dinner, and you can enjoy it all year round.

As well as other recipes for Spanish mackerel this fresh fish goes well with a side of green salad, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish.

Besides that, you can chop the grilled filets and use them as toppings for a mackerel salad (this is a great option especially if you have leftovers).

To take the grilled fresh mackerel to the next level, you can place the fish in small bread buns and serve them as sliders for appetizers.

Other Spanish mackerel recipes that can work as appetizers or tapas are the Spanish fried fish and the Spanish mackerel sushi.

How to Store Fresh Mackerel Recipe

After you finish making this fresh mackerel recipe you can either eat it right away or let it cool down and save it for later.

To store, just place the cold mackerel in a covered container (with a lid or plastic wrap) and place it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 45 days.

Grilling is the best way to cook Spanish mackerel, but when you are ready to reheat this fish we recommend doing it in the oven or a frying pan, so it doesn’t lose the crispy outside.

Learning how to pan fry the mackerel recipe for reheating is super simple: just preheat the pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil, and once it’s hot start heating the mackerel fillet recipe.

Other regular or smoked mackerel filet recipes that you can make if you are planning on storing them are the pan-fried mackerel recipe and the mackerel pasta recipe.

Recipe Card: Fresh Mackerel Recipe

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