Best Grilled Stuffed Mackerel Recipes

GRILLED STUFFED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Wash and dry the inside of the fish. Make deep slashes across both sides of the fish. Stir together the ginger and garlic pastes, salt, 1 teaspoon of the oil and the lemon juice and rub all over and into the slits of the fish. Place in a nonmetallic dish, cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Heat the remaining oil in a small nonstick saucepan and fry the onion until golden brown. Add the curry leaves and masala paste and cook over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. If you are concerned that the masala sauce may burn, add a sprinkling of water to the pan. Add the tomato and salt and cook briskly for 6-8 minutes, stirring often. The tomatoes will completely break down and you will be left with a spicy, thick masala sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Rub a little of this stuffing mixture on the flesh and inside the slits and stuff the rest into the cavity. Put the fish back in the fridge for another 20 minutes, if you have time.
• Preheat the grill and cover the grill pan with kitchen foil. Place the fish on top and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, turning carefully, until the fish is golden brown and cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges and plain rice.

WHOLE GRILLED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 or 4 seconds). Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes in skin on both sides of fish. Open fish like a book. Season inside with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. Thinly slice 1 lemon; arrange lemon and thyme sprigs over 1 side of fish. Close fish, and rub oil all over skin.
• Grill fish until skin is charred on 1 side, about 10 minutes. Carefully turn fish; cover, and cook until flesh inside is opaque, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer fish to a platter, and open like a book. Drizzle with oil and juice from remaining lemon.

GRILLED WHOLE MACKEREL WITH LEMON, OREGANO, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Whisk together zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, then add olive oil in a stream, whisking until combined well. Whisk in olives and chopped oregano.
• Make 1-inch-long slits at 2-inch intervals down middle of fish on both sides with a sharp paring knife, then brush fish all over with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Season fish cavity with salt and pepper, then evenly distribute 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs in cavity. Close cavity, then evenly arrange remaining 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs on top of fish and tie fish closed with string at 2-inch intervals, securing lemon slices and oregano sprigs to fish.
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderate.
• Grill fish on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, 15 minutes. Turn fish over using a metal spatula and tongs, then grill until just cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
• Transfer fish to a large platter using 2 metal spatulas, then cut and discard string. Serve fish with sauce.

GRILLED MACKEREL WITH TOASTED GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat and oil the grates with a brush or towel.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the smashed garlic.
• Make 3 deep cuts on each side of the fish. Season fillets generously with salt and pepper. Place flesh side-down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip fish over and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from grill and brush with some of the garlic butter (about 2 tablespoons).
• Squeeze 1/2 of a lime over each fillet and serve immediately.

GRILLED MACKEREL WITH SOY, LIME & GINGER

Steps:

• To make the marinade, mix all the ingredients together and pour over the mackerel. Cover and chill for 30 mins.
• Heat grill and put the mackerel, skin-side up, on a baking sheet lined with foil. Grill for 5 mins, then turn and baste with remaining marinade. Grill for 5 mins more.
• Cook the rice following pack instructions, then drain and toss with the spring onions and pepper. Serve with the mackerel.

GRILLED MACKEREL FILLETS

Steps:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients, then pour over the fish. Set aside for 20 mins.
• For the salad, combine the sesame oil, lime juice, soy, honey and sweet chilli to make a dressing, then toss with the leaves.
• Grill the marinated mackerel under a hot grill for 5 mins, basting two or three times with any excess marinade, until the flesh begins to flake. Slice and serve with the dressed salad leaves.