Easy Roasted Mackerel Recipe from Spain

Baked Spanish mackerel recipes are simply the best: they are easy to make and always call for a few basic ingredients.

However, sometimes it is hard to know which Spanish recipes to choose, so with this article, we are planning on making that decision a bit easier: try and make the roasted mackerel recipe.

Here we will show you how to cook mackerel in the oven in a way that it doesn’t lose its moisture and its flavor hits all the right marks, so just keep scrolling to learn more.

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

• Mackerel patty recipe

• Healthy mackerel recipe

• Mackerel pate recipe

Background of the Dish

Mackerel fillet recipe like this one were created hundreds of years ago in Southern Spain, mostly due to the increase of mackerel fishing that took place in the region during the 1800s

The recipes for Spanish mackerel are so popular because they are easy to make, and there is a perfect one for each season: the grilled fish for the summertime and the baked ones for the colder months.

The roasted mackerel recipe takes the spotlight because not only can you serve it as a main dish, but it can also work as the topping for other fantastic Andalusian dishes, such as the mackerel salad recipe and the mackerel pasta recipe.

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Things You’ll Need for Roasted Mackerel Recipe

To prepare this mackerel oven recipe you need mackerel filets, olive oil, garlic cloves, lemons, and rosemary as the main ingredients.

You will also need aluminum foil to wrap and cook the fish in this roasted mackerel recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 mackerel filets (cleaned and scaled)
• 2 lemons
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary (or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary)
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 4 pieces of aluminum foil (each large enough to wrap one filet)

How to Make Roasted Mackerel Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. The first step in this roasted mackerel recipe is to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. After that, thinly slice the lemons. Also, peel and mince the garlic cloves.

3. Then, lay out four large pieces of foil, one for each mackerel filet. Place a fresh Spanish mackerel filet in the center of each foil piece.

4. For the next step in this broiled mackerel recipe, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each filet. Season each mackerel in foil with minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

5. Now place a couple of lemon slices on top of each Spanish mackerel fish, and then add a sprig of fresh rosemary (or sprinkle dried rosemary) on top of the lemon.

6. After that, carefully fold up the edges of the foil to create a sealed packet for each filet. Make sure it’s tightly sealed to trap the flavors and the steam.

7. Then, place the foil packets on a baking sheet and put the mackerel in the oven. Roast for about 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the filets.

8. To finish this Spanish mackerel recipe, carefully open the mackerel packets, being cautious of the hot steam. Optionally, you can garnish the Spanish style mackerel with extra lemon slices and fresh herbs if desired.

Substitution of Ingredients

As long as you have mackerel filets you can prepare this roasted mackerel recipe, and make some changes to the secondary ingredients.

For example, when it comes to the herbs and spices of this Spanish mackerel fillet recipe you could use any of your choice, and add more vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, etc.

To turn this dish into a Mediterranean mackerel recipe you would have to add halved cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Mackerel recipes baked in foil usually call for fish filets because they are easier to cover in foil, but you could make a baked whole mackerel recipe in foil (adjusting the cooking time).

The foil is what ensures that the dish from this oven roasted mackerel recipe doesn’t lose its moisture, so if you can’t use it we recommend checking other recipes such as the grilled mackerel recipe or the Spanish baked mackerel recipe.

Tips on Serving Roasted Mackerel Recipe

When serving a roasted mackerel recipe, be sure to garnish it with fresh herbs like parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance its flavor.

Additionally, consider pairing it with a light Spanish green salad or a side of steamed vegetables to create a well-balanced and satisfying meal.

This is the best Spanish mackerel recipe because once it’s ready you have a main dish ready to be served for lunch or dinner.

You can serve the baked mackerel and use other cold smoked mackerel recipes as the appetizer or tapas: Spanish mackerel sushi and Spanish fried fish would work really well.

Another alternative is to turn this Spanish baked mackerel in foil into the base for the smoked mackerel recipe and serve it as a pate with crackers, toast, or vegetables.

Lastly, you can flake the baked fish from this roasted mackerel recipe and use it as a topping for a mesmerizing mackerel salad.

How to Store Roasted Mackerel Recipe

Roasted mackerel recipes are simply amazing because you can store the cooked fish for a long amount of time, and it won’t lose its moisture.

Once you finish cooking Spanish mackerel let the fish cool to room temperature, and then place it in a covered container (with a lid or plastic wrap)

Then, store the fish from this roasted mackerel recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 45 days: after that, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave.

Other Spanish mackerel recipes that you can make if you were planning on storing them are the pan-fried mackerel recipe and the salted mackerel recipe.

Recipe Card: Roasted Mackerel Recipe

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