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    Home » Kitchen Laughter Recipes Blog » Seafood

    Whole Grilled Spanish Mackerel {25 Minutes}

    Published: Aug 27, 2021 · Modified: Jan 13, 2023 by Jason C · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Whole Grilled Spanish Mackerel stuffed with Garlic and Parsley will be a family favorite! Quick, easy and It is extremely tasty to fun to grill this catch of the day!

    grilled whole Spanish Mackerel stuffed with Garlic on the Grill.
    Grilled Whole Spanish Mackerel
    Contents hide
    1 🍽️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    2 🐟 Ingredients
    3 🔥 Instructions
    4 💡 Expert Tips
    5 Recipe FAQs
    6 Grilled Whole Spanish Mackerel with a Garlic Filling

    If there is ever a chance of going out with someone on their boat to go fishing, definitely, take them up on it! Especially if you are going to be catching Spanish Mackerel! These are going to knock your socks off. You know the recipes where you go “I didn’t know I liked XYZ!” That is what happens when you grill up mackerel! 

    So, when Jason went to work and told them that he and Spencer were going to North Carolina for the weekend to meet up with a college friend to fish for mackerel, he got a lot of blank stares! People think of salmon, cod, halibut or even trout when they grill or cook fish. But, mackerel is king in North Carolina and shouldn’t be looked over if you have the opportunity to try it! 

    🍽️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • It’s super healthy.
    • The flavor is awesome.
    • All you need is five ingredients.
    • The fish can be made in less than 25 minutes.

    🐟 Ingredients

    ingredient photo showing the garlic, parsley, and sea salt filling being added to the fish with labels.
    Just a Few Simple Ingredients

    You won’t find a recipe with easier ingredients! They are all things you probably have around except for the mackerel. Here are the main ingredients you will be needing.

    Spanish Mackerel | You need whole fish that has been cleaned.

    Garlic | Minced garlic is delicious and pairs beautifully with the mackerel.

    Parsley | Chopped fresh herbs are an awesome way to add a pop of color and a bit of flavor too.

    🔥 Instructions

    five process photos showing filling the body cavity with a garlic mix, grilling and serving.
    Simple Stuffing and Grilling Instructions

    Step One: Bring the grill temperature to 350 degrees.

    Step Two: After cleaning the Spanish Mackerel, prepare a garlic filling.  I combined parsley, chopped garlic, sea salt and olive oil. Open the mackerel and fill the cavity with this delicious mixture.

    Step Three: Lightly oil the outside of the fish before placing it on the grill to minimize the chances of it sticking to the grate. 

    Step Four: After 10-12 minutes, use a grilling spatula to carefully turn the fish over. Cook for another 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and is easily flaked with a fork.

    Bring it inside, and serve.  Carefully remove the meat from the bones and enjoy a garlic filled delicious dinner!

    💡 Expert Tips

    This is my favorite part of cooking! I love to figure out what I can do with the leftovers or what I can do with the extra food we have on hand and use it as the basis of a fun recipe.

    • Mackerel Dip (try substituting the fish in the Trout Dip recipe) 
    • Spread for crackers or baguettes 
    • Sandwiches using the leftovers and making it similar to a tuna or chicken sandwich
    • Make with Pasta – whip up a yummy three cheese pasta dish using your mackerel 
    • Nachos – sprinkle it on top of your normal sheet pan nachos
    • Spicy Tacos – Try it with these Street Tacos
    • Turn them into seafood cakes. If you only have a little, mix it with canned crab to make Mackerel Crab Cakes

    You can see already that the list is endless to what to make with leftovers. If someone offers you their mackerel when you are out fishing, take it! 

    four mackerel on a sheet pan ready to be stuffed.
    These are the Perfect Size for Stuffing and Grilling

    Recipe FAQs

    Is mackerel healthy?

    Yes, yes, yes! Mackerel is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a fantastic source of vitamin B6, potassium, selenium, and more.

    What does mackerel taste like?

    It has a very mild, pleasant “fishy” taste. If you like tuna, you’ll love mackerel!

    What does mackerel look like?

    You can easily identify Spanish mackerel by the yellow spots on the sides of the fish. King mackerel are usually larger and have a more pronounced lateral line as well as an absence of yellow spots. To be fair, they both taste amazing!

    Related Recipes

    • Grilled Stuffed Copper River Salmon {20 Minutes}
    • Grilled Sweet and Sour Shark Steaks {15 Minutes}
    • Grilled Seafood Tater Tots with Creamy Remoulade Sauce {50 Minutes}
    • Smoked Pacific Rockfish {2 hours}

    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!

    mackerel on the grill after flipping over. With grown grill marks on the skin

    Grilled Whole Spanish Mackerel with a Garlic Filling

    It is easy to grill a whole Spanish Mackerel. Stuffed with an amazing garlic and parsley filling, this will surely become a family favorite. So delicious!
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 17 minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 132kcal
    Author: Jason

    Ingredients

    • 4 each Spanish Mackerel Whole, Cleaned
    • 6 each Garlic Cloves Minced
    • 1 tbsp Parsley Chopped
    • 2 tsp Sea Salt
    • 2 tbsp Olive Oil

    Instructions

    Prepare the Spanish Mackerel

    • Clean the mackerel
    • Brush the outside of the fish with olive oil to minimize sticking on the grill

    Make the Garlic Filling

    • Chop the garlic and parsley and combine with sea salt
    • Use a spoon to fill the cavities of each fish with the mixture

    Grill the Spanish Mackerel

    • Bring grill to 350 degrees using direct heat
    • Place the Spanish Mackerel on the grating
    • Grill for 10-12 minutes and use a grilling spatula to carefully turn the fish over
    • Grill for another 7-10 minutes until the meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork
    • Remove from grill and serve.

    Notes

    Direct Heat: This is a direct heat recipe.  The fish is very thin and grills quickly.  
    Doneness Temperature: Make sure the temperature reaches 145 degrees.  Grill it until the flesh becomes opaque and is easily flaked with a fork.
    Mackerel Options: 
    • Mackerel Dip (try substituting the fish in the Trout Dip recipe) 
    • Spread for crackers or baguettes 
    • Sandwiches using the leftovers and making it similar to a tuna or chicken sandwich
    • Make with Pasta – whip up a yummy three cheese pasta dish using your mackerel 
    • Nachos – sprinkle it on top of your normal sheet pan nachos
    • Spicy Tacos – Try it with these Street Tacos
    • Turn them into seafood cakes. If you only have a little, mix it with canned crab to make Mackerel Crab Cakes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1fish | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 1165mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenlaughter or tag #kitchenlaughter!
    Whole Grilled Spanish Mackerel {25 Minutes}Whole Grilled Spanish Mackerel {25 Minutes}
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    « Grilled Sausage Breakfast Casserole {1 hour}
    Grilled Chicken Livers Wrapped in Bacon {35 Minutes} »

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