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    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Grilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish

    Published: May 26, 2021 · Modified: Jul 28, 2025 by Ginny Collins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Grilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish is tender, juicy and unbelievably delicious. Every bite is packed with a gentle fish flavor complemented by the jerk spices. A quick and healthy meal that is finished in under 10 minutes.

    swordfish steak on the grill grate with sear marks and coated in a homemade jerk seasoning rub.
    Grilled Swordfish with Homemade Jerk Seasoning
    Contents hide
    1 🐟 Ingredients
    2 🔥 Instructions
    3 ❗ Expert Tips
    4 Recipe FAQ
    5 Grilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish

    This recipe is proof that sometimes simple just works! No need for a marinade or anything that might require you to wait. A quick homemade jerk seasoning is perfect for the outer crust of the fish.

    All the flavor comes from the seasoning, the delicious swordfish, and the smoke of the grill. We served it with a Carribean salsa this time, but it also pairs nicely with grilled baked sweet potatoes, and grilled balsamic carrots.

    🐟 Ingredients

    sheet pan with the ingredients needed to make the jerk seasoning.
    Ingredients for the Jerk Seasoning

    Jerk Seasoning | There are so many different versions of jerk seasoning that it is really up to you which one you want to use. I’m known for occasionally buying a quick seasoning pack, but for this recipe, I made my own Jamaican Jerk rub. You’ll see how easy it is, and making a double batch will last you a long time!

    sheet pan with swordfish, olive oil and seasoning on a lined sheet pan.
    Ingredients for the Grilling

    Swordfish | This is a mild, slightly sweet fish that is a bit more firm in texture. It is packed with protein, Omega – 3, B12 and zinc plus it is low in calories and high in flavor.

    Olive oil | The oil will help the seasoning stick to the fish, and also prevent the exterior from drying.

    Jamaican Jerk Rub | Whether you purchased it or you decide to make our rub, this is the main flavor addition for this recipe.

    🔥 Instructions

    photos showing the process to combine the jerk seasoning, add the swordfish to a Ziploc to cover and then grilling.
    Simple Instructions for an Amazing BBQ Fish

    Step One: Combine all the ingredients for the jerk seasoning into a bowl and stir. You will only need about two teaspoons of it for this recipe. Store the rest in a sealed container for up to six months.

    Step Two: Heat up the grill to a medium high to high heat on direct heat.

    Step Three: Add a couple of teaspoons of the seasoning to a large Ziploc bag, rub the swordfish with a bit of olive oil and add it to the bag. Work it around with your hands to get a full coverage.

    Step Four: Add the fish to the grill and cook for about six minutes per side. The time varies depending on the thickness of the filet and the temperature of the grill. It is ready when the interior temperature reaches 145 degrees.

    fillet of grilled swordfish with a jerk seasoning topped with a Caribbean fruit salsa.
    The Sweet Fruit Salsa Complements the Spices on the Swordfish

    ❗ Expert Tips

    We cooked this straight on the grill grate because it is such a firm fish, but you can use the Copper Mats, cedar planks or even grill them in a cast iron skillet on the grill. Don’t forget that a fish basket is also a good option.

    Check the temperature with a wireless thermometer so you don’t overcook.

    We made this the same weekend we made the Grilled Branzino with Caribbean Salsa. We took leftover salsa from that recipe and put it on top of this swordfish and it was INCREDIBLE!

    Recipe FAQ

    Can I make this into a foil pack instead of putting straight on the grill?

    Sure thing. Grill the swordfish for 20-25 minutes in a foil pack, with or without veggies.

    How do I know it’s done?

    It will be brown on the outside and the inside might have a slight pink tint/opaque to it. If you get it off of the grill just as it’s turning opaque and tent it for a couple minutes, it will continue cooking on the counter and not overcook. The sure test is that it will flake when you use your fork. If you are using a thermometer, look for an internal temperature to be 145.

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    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

    swordfish steak on the grill grate with sear marks and coated in a homemade jerk seasoning rub.

    Grilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish

    Grilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish is tender, juicy and an unbelievably delicious fish where every bite is packed with a mild fish flavor complemented by the jerk spices. A quick and healthy meal that is done in under 10 minutes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Rub
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 388kcal
    Author: Jason

    Equipment

    • Grill

    Ingredients

    Jamaican Jerk Rub

    • ¼ cup Freeze Dried Chives
    • 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
    • 1 tbsp Dried Onion Flakes
    • 1 tbsp Dried Onion Powder
    • 1 tbsp Ground Ginger
    • 1 tbsp Dried Thyme
    • 1 tbsp Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 tsp Allspice
    • 1 tbsp Black Pepper
    • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
    • ½ tsp Nutmeg
    • ¼ tsp Ground Cloves
    • ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

    Swordfish

    • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
    • 1 lb Swordfish
    • 2 tsp Jamaican Jerk Rub use recipe here or your own version

    Instructions

    Jamaican Jerk Rub

    • Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and stir. Store in a sealed container for up to six months.

    Swordfish

    • Heat up the grill to a medium high to high heat on direct heat.
    • Sprinkle the jerk seasoning over the swordfish. Make sure to cover the sides too.
    • Place the fish on the grill and cook for about six minutes for each side.
    • Remove when the interior temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let is rest for ten minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Cooking Options: We cooked this straight on the grill grate because it is such a firm fish and we didn’t worry about it falling through the grates but you can use the Copper Mats, cedar planks or even grill them in a cast iron skillet on the grill. Don’t forget about that fish basket you have but forget to use as well.
    Temperature: Check the temperature with a wireless thermometer so you don’t overcook. The minimum temperature is 145. 
    Serving Option: We made this the same weekend we made the Grilled Branzino with Caribbean Salsa. We took leftover salsa from that recipe and put it on top of this swordfish and it was INCREDIBLE.
    Foil Pack Option: Sure thing. Grill it for 20-25 minutes in a foil pack, with or without veggies. 
    When is it Done: It will be brown on the outside and the inside might have a slight pink tint/opaque to it. If you get it off of the grill just as it’s turning opaque and tent it for a couple minutes, it will continue cooking on the counter and not overcook. The sure test is that it will flake when you use your fork. If you are using a thermometer, look for an internal temperature to be 145.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 388kcal | Protein: 45g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 948mg | Vitamin A: 272IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenlaughter or tag #kitchenlaughter!
    Ginny Jumping in Tenerife
    Ginny Collins

    Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

    Grilled Jamaican Jerk SwordfishGrilled Jamaican Jerk Swordfish
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