Quick Grilled Mackerel Recipe from Spain

In the past few years, Spanish recipes with mackerel filets have gained a new level of popularity, so we want to shed light on recipes featuring whole mackerel once again.

One of the grilled Spanish mackerel recipes that meet this criteria is the fantastic grilled mackerel recipe, and we know that you will become a fan as soon as you try it.

Keep scrolling down this article to learn how to grill mackerel filets or whole mackerel, how to serve and store this dish, plus some extra information on tips to nail this recipe.

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

• Mackerel patty recipe

• Mackerel pate recipe

• Baked mackerel in foil

Background of the Dish

Grilled mackerel recipes have a long history in Andalusia and the broader Mediterranean region, and they were always paired with other ingredients of the region, such as garlic and olive oil.

The grilled mackerel recipe is a staple dish in Southern Spain because it blends to perfection almost all of the most beloved ingredients from this area.

It also managed to stand out from other easy mackerel recipes due to how simple and fast it is to grill the fish, so we know for a fact that you will love this dish.

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Things You’ll Need for Grilled Mackerel Recipe

The main ingredients to make the best mackerel recipe are whole mackerel, paprika, olive oil, garlic, and lemon.

For this grilled mackerel recipe, you will need a grill, but if you don’t have one then there are other recipes with mackerel filets you can make, like the mackerel salad or the Spanish mackerel fillet.

Ingredients

• 6 whole mackerel (gutted, scaled, and deboned)
• 2 lemons
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Grilled Mackerel Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. The first step in this grilled mackerel recipe is to prepare each mackerel until you have it gutted, scaled, and deboned. It is better if you ask your fishmonger to do this for you.

2. After that, cut the lemon into thin round slices. Peel and mince the garlic. Also, chop the fresh parsley.

3. Then, in a bowl prepare a marinade by mixing the minced garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. 

4. Now, make a few diagonal cuts on each side of the mackerel to allow the marinade to penetrate. Place the mackerel in a shallow dish or a large resealable plastic bag.

5. Next, pour the marinade over the mackerel, making sure it covers the fish evenly. Add the lemon slices on top. Seal the dish or bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

6. For the next step in this mackerel grilled recipe, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using charcoal, make sure the coals are hot and have a layer of white ash.

7. After that, remove the mackerel fish from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place them directly on the grill grates. 

8. Now cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish, so keep an eye on it.

9. Finally, you have to carefully remove the grilled mackerel from the grill and transfer it to a serving platter. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired. Your grilled mackerel recipe is now ready, just serve the dish warm.

Substitution of Ingredients

This grilled mackerel recipe doesn’t call for many ingredients, and all of them have a key role, so we recommend making as few replacements as you can.

However, you can prepare this grilled mackerel recipe with filets instead of the whole fish, just ask your fishmonger to do the cleaning for you.

The paprika already adds a smoky flavor, but for something more similar to the smoked mackerel filet recipes you can add 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke to the marinade (if it is your first time using it be careful).

You can also do like other recipes for fresh mackerel and add more ingredients to the marinade, like a tablespoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, etc.

This recipe can also be transformed into a pan-fried mackerel recipe if you don’t have access to a grill.

Although this is a grilled Spanish mackerel recipe, there are dozens of ways of cooking Spanish mackerel, like making it a king mackerel recipe or a Spanish fried fish.

The mackerel steaks recipe and the Mediterranean mackerel recipe are other delicious Spanish mackerel recipes that are both flavourful and easy to make.

Tips on Serving Grilled Mackerel Recipe

Once you finish making the Spanish mackerel filet recipe you have the perfect main dish ready to be served.

You can serve this healthy mackerel recipe with a salad or french fries on the side, plus some fresh bread just in case someone wants to turn it into a sandwich.

To turn this grilled mackerel recipe into sandwiches just cut your favorite bread in half, spread mayonnaise on each side, put the grilled mackerel in with some fresh lettuce and that’s it.

For more cold smoked mackerel recipes that can work as the appetizer or side dish of this one, feel free to check the bacalao gazpacho or the ensalada de bacalao.

And of course, you must try the mackerel pasta recipe, a simple and delicious dish that perfectly combines the mackerel with tomato sauce and pasta.

How to Store Grilled Mackerel Recipe

We have good news for all the meal prep lovers; you can either freeze or store this mackerel dish in the fridge.

In both cases, once you finish making the grilled mackerel recipe, let it come to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap.

After that, you can take the mackerel to the fridge for up to 3 days, or to the freezer for up to 60 days.

To thaw the grilled mackerel, just let it in the fridge overnight or for 12 hours, then reheat it in the oven or in a pan with hot oil so it gets crispy again.

Other fish or mackerel filet recipes that you can make if you are planning on freezing them are the bacalao croquettes and the Spanish fish stew.

Recipe Card: Grilled Mackerel Recipe

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