Best Spanish Mackerel Sushi Recipe

When people hear about cold Spanish mackerel recipes, the first image that comes to mind is often the mackerel salad or mackerel patty recipe. However, there is a hidden gem among them.

We are talking about Spanish mackerel sushi: an amazing recipe that blends Asian and Andalusian cuisine to perfection.

Read this article to learn how to prepare Spanish recipes like this sushi, how to make the perfect sushi rice, and discover the best tips for storing and serving this dish.

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

• Roasted mackerel recipe

• Spanish mackerel ceviche

• Healthy mackerel recipe

Background of the Dish

The Spanish mackerel sushi was created in the 1900s, offering a new twist on a beloved Japanese dish with flavors influenced by Southern Spain.

In Andalusia, mackerel fishing is more popular than that of classic sushi fish like tuna or salmon. This popularity has contributed to the fame of this type of sushi.

This sushi is the best Spanish mackerel recipe, suitable for both appetizers and main dishes, setting it apart from other tapas dishes such as bacalao croquettes or ensalada de bacalao.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Mackerel Sushi

To make this Spanish style mackerel sushi you will need mackerel filet, nori (seaweed), sushi rice, and rice vinegar as the main ingredients.

You will also need a bamboo mat, plastic wrap, and a sharp knife to nail the shape of the Spanish mackerel sushi.

Ingredients

For the Spanish Mackerel

• 1 fresh Spanish mackerel filet
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Soy sauce for brushing

For the Sushi Rice

• 1 cup (190gr) sushi rice
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) water
• 1/4 cup (60ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Nori (seaweed) sheets
• Wasabi paste, Pickled ginger, Soy sauce (optional, for dipping)

How to Make Spanish Mackerel Sushi – Step by Step Guide

1. To start with this mackerel sushi recipe you have to rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear (this will remove the starch and any dirt).

2. Now grab a medium saucepan and combine the rinsed rice and the water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender.

3. After that, using a separate and smaller saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Heat over low heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve.

4. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and while it’s still hot, drizzle the seasoned rice vinegar over it. Gently mix it with a wooden spatula. This will give the rice its characteristic glossy appearance.

5. Now, season the Spanish mackerel filet with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the filet, skin side down.

6. Then, cook for 3 minutes on each side until the skin is crispy and the fish is cooked through. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, slice it into thin strips.

7. For the next step, lay a bamboo sushi rolling mat on a clean surface and cover it with plastic wrap. Place a sheet of nori on the plastic wrap. Moisten your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. 

8. After that, take a handful of sushi rice and spread it evenly over the nori, leaving about half an inch of nori uncovered at the top. Place a few strips of the cooked mackerel on top of the rice. 

9. Now, carefully roll up the sushi using the bamboo mat, applying gentle pressure to shape it into a tight cylinder. Wet the exposed nori edge to seal the roll.

10. To finish this recipe, grab a sharp knife, moisten it with water, and slice the roll into bite-sized pieces. Optionally, you can serve the Spanish mackerel sushi with soy sauce, wasabi, or pickled ginger for dipping.

Substitution of Ingredients

To prepare this Spanish mackerel sushi you must have two key ingredients: sushi rice and fish.

The nori (seaweed) is also important in this sushi recipe, but you can remove it and go for a nigiri instead of a sushi roll (nigiri is compact rice with fish on top).

We chose cooking Spanish mackerel for this sushi recipe, but you could use smoked mackerel, or raw mackerel (as long as the filet is properly cleaned).

Besides mackerel, the best fish for sushi are tuna and salmon (fresh, smoked, or cooked). You can also make this Spanish mackerel sushi using our Spanish soused mackerel recipe.

Instead of pan-frying the fish, you can also use any leftovers that you have from smoked mackerel recipe or Spanish mackerel fillet.

Try other Spanish mackerel recipes like the peppered mackerel recipe or the roasted mackerel recipe, two delicious and easy mackerel recipes that can be served with everything you want.

You can even make this recipe by using Spanish mackerel sashimi, a delicacy made with raw mackerel that has been frozen before.

Tips on Serving Spanish Mackerel Sushi

The Spanish mackerel sushi is the perfect appetizer or tapa, but you could also turn it into a main dish.

If you prepare other dishes to go as the entree for the sushi (such as the smoked mackerel pate recipe and the bacalao gazpacho), then it can work as the main course.

Besides that, you can serve this fresh Spanish mackerel sushi with pickled ginger, wasabi, or soy sauce for the toppings.

If you like a sweet and savory flavor, then unagi and teriyaki sauce are the right fits, meanwhile, for extra spiciness you can use spicy or sriracha mayo.

Give a go to our simple mackerel rice recipe that’s so delicious and nutritious that you’ll want to make it constantly and the mackerel croquettes for a quick appetizer.

How to Store Spanish Mackerel Sushi

Once you finish making this Spanish mackerel filet recipe you can eat it right away, or store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To prevent the rice from drying out, cover the mackerel fish sushi with a damp cloth or paper towel (this will keep it moist).

You can’t freeze the Spanish mackerel sushi, because freezing can negatively affect the texture and taste of the rice.

However, you could cook the Spanish mackerel fish and store it in the freezer by itself, like you would do with a grilled mackerel recipe.

Some regular or smoked mackerel filet recipes that you can make and freeze are the Spanish fried fish and the Spanish fish stew.

The pickled mackerel recipe is another simple recipe with mackerel that will last for a few days in a airtight container.

Recipe Card: Spanish Mackerel Sushi

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