How to Cook Mackerel

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 23, 2020 Tested

Mackerel is a flavorful, firm-fleshed fish that is easy to cook, low in fat and full of nutrients. There are many ways to adapt this popular seafood to your tastes. Keep a few tips for how to cook mackerel in mind to get the most flavor out of this healthy fish.

Steps

1
Fry mackerel
- Pan frying is a quick method of cooking mackerel that requires little preparation. Add a small amount of oil or melted butter to a heated pan. Place the mackerel fillet in the pan skin side down. Season the side facing you with salt and pepper. Turn the fish after 5 minutes and cook for an additional five minutes.
2
Bake mackerel
- Make mackerel in the oven by baking it. Spray a roasting pan or baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange mackerel fillets skin side down and season with salt, pepper or other seafood seasonings. Drizzle the mackerel with melted butter to help it stay moist, then bake for ten minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
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3
Grill mackerel
- The firm texture of this fish allows you to cook with mackerel in ways that aren't options with more delicate seafood, like grilling. Place mackerel skin side down on a hot grill and grill on each side for about 5 minutes or until the fish flakes easily when touched with a fork. Wrap mackerel fillets in foil before placing on the grill if a lighter grilled taste is preferred.
4
Make mackerel packets
- Place one mackerel fillet on a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Add sliced vegetables like asparagus, carrots and leeks. Season all the food with salt and pepper. Drizzle a small amount of oil or melted butter on all the food, then wrap the foil up into a packet. Cook in a preheated oven for fifteen minutes or until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5
Use mackerel in salads
- Fry a mackerel fillet in a pan or bake it in the oven, then flake it apart with a fork. Add the pieces of mackerel to a bed of mixed greens and vegetables and top with your favorite citrus vinaigrette or salad dressing.
6
Poach mackerel
- Add seasoned mackerel to a pan with enough white wine or vegetable broth to cover the fillet. Arrange the fish skin side down so the fleshy side can absorb the flavors of the liquid. Bring the liquid to a simmer, but do not let it boil. Poach the mackerel in the simmering liquid for about 5 minutes or until it is cooked through.
7
Vary cooking methods.
- Try cooking mackerel in several different ways to find the way you like it best. The firm, versatile fish holds up well on the grill, but is also delicious baked or pan fried, so you can experiment with cooking it in different ways that might be difficult with a more delicate fish.

Community Q&A

Question

Why don't the suggestions have the temperature of the oven in which it should be baked?

Michele

Top Answerer

Fish like mackerel can be baked at any temperature from 275°F to 450°F. The lower the temp, the longer the fish should be cooked. Size also makes a difference. On average, bake 375°F for 20 - 30 minutes (shorter time for thin fish, longer for thicker).
Question

Does it have scales?

Community Answer

Mackerel do have scales, but are small enough to not be worried about. If you choose to descale I recommend doing it over a sink with a knife going gently against the grain of the fish.
Question

How do I remove the back bone before cooking?

Darren Kent

Community Answer

Find where the bone starts. You may need to dig with your finger to lift up the bone. When you have found it, just pull it gently making sure you remove all of the bone.

Warnings

Avoid overcooking mackerel to prevent the fillet from drying out. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the piece of fish, but most mackerel fillets only need to be cooked for about 5 minutes on each side. Mackerel is done when it flakes easily when checked with a fork and has a white, opaque appearance.

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