Best King Mackerel Recipe from Spain

Nothing screams weekend or relaxation like firing up the grill and preparing a delicious outdoor meal. Fortunately, some Spanish recipes are perfect for this occasion.

Among Spanish mackerel recipes, the king mackerel recipe knocks this out of the park: is quick and easy to make, and it has a mesmerizing flavor.

If you want to learn more about this hidden gem among recipes for king mackerel, with some tips for storing, serving, and ingredient replacements then keep reading this article.

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

• Mackerel rice recipe

• Healthy mackerel recipe

• Fresh mackerel recipe

Background of the Dish

King mackerel steak recipes, in general, are reaching a new level of popularity in Andalusia, since they are as easy to make as the regular mackerel ones, but are also more filling.

The main difference between this recipe and the classic grilled mackerel recipe is that for this one you have to use king mackerel steaks, instead of regular mackerel filets.

Besides that, with this king mackerel recipe, you will enjoy all of the best flavors of Southern Spain in one dish: seafood, garlic, olive oil, and a sprinkle of paprika.

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Things You’ll Need for King Mackerel Recipe

To make the best mackerel recipe you need king mackerel steaks, olive oil, garlic cloves, paprika, cumin, and oregano as the main ingredients.

You need a grill to prepare this king mackerel recipe, or you can change the cooking method for baking or pan-frying.

Ingredients

• 6 King Mackerel steaks (or filets)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons paprika 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges and fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

How to Make King Mackerel Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this king mackerel recipe, you have to rinse the king mackerel steaks (or filets) removing any bones, scales, and skin. Pat them dry and set aside.

2. After that, peel and mince the garlic cloves. Squeeze one lemon until you get about 2 tablespoons of juice (you can use more if you like the lemony taste of the Spanish mackerel fish).

3. Now grab a bowl to prepare a marinade, whisking together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. You can add more or less of each seasoning or herb, it is completely up to you.

4. Then, place the steaks in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the fish, making sure they are well-coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

5. For the next step in this quick mackerel recipe, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

6. Now, remove the Spanish mackerel steak from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill. Cook for 4 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish.

7. For the final step of this fish mackerel recipe, transfer the grilled Spanish mackerel to a serving platter. Optionally, garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Substitution of Ingredients

Something fantastic about this king mackerel recipe is that it only calls for a few ingredients, yet there are some substitutions you can make to them.

Just like most of the king mackerel recipes, you can prepare this one with filets or regular mackerel filets, but the size of them is usually smaller so keep that in mind.

Do you want it to taste like smoked king mackerel recipes? then add a splash of liquid smoke or a tablespoon of BBQ sauce to the marinade for this fish.

If you don’t have a grill at home then you can follow other ways of cooking Spanish mackerel, like frying it in a pan or baking it in the oven (covered in foil).

You can try the mackerel oven recipe and have a go at the simple way of making baked fish or the more crispier option the fried mackerel fish recipe.

Lastly, you can do like other grilled king mackerel recipes and grill some vegetables on the side to serve with your fish, such as onion, bell peppers, eggplants, cucumber, etc.

Tips on Serving King Mackerel Recipe

With this king mackerel recipe, you will have an amazing main dish ready to be served, and you can go for a healthier route or just go full-in.

If you are staying on the healthier side, then you can serve this mackerel fish recipe with a mixed green salad, a grated carrot salad, or a small bowl of fresh tomato gazpacho.

Now to make it a full-on meal, serve it with side dishes like tortilla de patatas, patatas a lo pobre, or the classic french fries.

If you are a big fan of Andalusian tapas, then we encourage you to check other of our recipes for Spanish mackerel, such as the Spanish mackerel cutlets or the mackerel croquettes.

How to Store King Mackerel Recipe

If you are planning on storing the fish, once you finish making the king mackerel recipe you have to let it cool down to room temperature.

Then, place the king mackerel in a plate or container, cover it (with plastic wrap or a lid), and you can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Just like other regular or smoked mackerel recipes, you can also freeze these steaks for up to 45 days, and you can put a label on top so you know how long you have to enjoy this Spanish dish.

After that, you can thaw the fish overnight or for up to 12 hours in the fridge, and then reheat it in the oven or in a frying pan (to guarantee the crispy exterior).

Other easy mackerel recipes that you can make if you are planning on storing them (in the fridge or freezer) are the mackerel steaks recipe, the smoked mackerel recipe, and the pan-fried mackerel recipe.

Recipe Card: King Mackerel Recipe

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