Tired of eating the same chicken and beef dishes over and over again? Discover the delectable smoky flavor of smoked markerel for a delicious seafood alternative. This fish boasts a high protein count with an impressive 20g per serving, and is full of healthy fats and essential vitamins like Omega 3 and Vitamin D.
Smoked mackerel is a savory, mildly sweet, and flavorful fish recipe you can easily make in the oven! This dish preserves the fish while infusing it with a smoky and umami taste. In fact, smoking mackerel in the oven gives it a tender and light texture – perfect for celebrations!
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In this blog post, you will learn about the different types of smoked markerel, the health benefits of adding this fish to your diet and easy-to-follow recipes that will help you incorporate it into your meals. Take a step towards a healthier diet and add this tasty fish to your menu today!
How to Make Smoked Mackerel
If you haven’t tried cooking smoked mackerel, then this is the perfect recipe to start with. It’s easy, effective, and delicious!
Health Benefits of Mackerel
Good for your heart
Help your heart function better by adding mackerel to your diet. According to WebMD, it can also benefit your cholesterol and blood pressure levels to keep your heart strong.
Get stronger bones
Improve your physical activity and endurance with mackerel recipes. Moreover, it’s good for bone density and growth to protect yourself from bone problems!
Achieve your fitness goals
Part of a healthy lifestyle is ensuring you get the proper diet. Balance your meals with fish recipes like this smoked mackerel dish. Did you know that it’s also good for your digestion and metabolism?
Boosts immunity
Mackerel has nutrients that can protect your health problems. In fact, it has selenium that is known to prevent different types of cancer.
Better brain function
Think and feel at your best with mackerel in your meals. It also promotes mental health to wellness and helps fight against common mental illnesses.
Are you convinced that you should add smoked mackerel to your diet? It’ll surely be one of your favorite ways to cook mackerel!
Ingredient
Mackerel
Mackerel is one of the most common fish food in the world. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, this tastes similar to salmon. It requires less seasoning because it is already flavorful!
Moreover, mackerel are usually stored by canning or refrigerating. It is made extra yummy by smoking it! You can also bake, grill, or panfry it to release its awesome flavors.
Get a healthy and balanced diet by adding smoked mackerel to your meal plans. It’ll certainly give you a dish to look forward to. This is also the perfect fish to cook on a busy day!
You can also use mackerel when cooking Moi Moi, Egusi Soup, and Fish Rolls to add more flavor! If this is your first time trying out mackerel, then this Smoked Mackerel recipe will surely give you the best experience.
Are you ready to cook Smoked Mackerel? Let’s go!
Directions
This is how easy it is to prepare Smoked Mackerel:
Prepare the mackerel
- Pull out the guts, roe (eggs), and gills from the head.
- Clean and rinse the mackerel.
- Gently fold the fish until the mouth reaches the tail. You can skip this step.
- Then, secure it with a toothpick.
- Season it with salt.
Cook the smoked mackerel
- Place the fish on an oven rack.
- Then, put parchment paper under the oven rack for easy cleaning.
- Cook it in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 minutes on each side.
- Once cooked, transfer it onto a plate and serve!
Give it a try, and let me know how much you love it! Isn’t it bursting with the best flavors made perfect with the tender texture? Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family!
Tips
Buying mackerel (or any kind of fish)
Here is a list of what to look for when buying fresh mackerel or fish:
- Its eyes should be clear and bright.
- The skin has a natural color and slightly slippery quality.
- Look for fish with firm flesh and red gills.
- Then, ensure that the fish scales are intact.
- The fish should also smell like the sea!
Storing mackerel
Remember these steps when you’re storing mackerel:
- Rinse the fish and pat it dry.
- Then, wrap it in cling film or aluminum foil.
- Place it in a container with ice to refrigerate for two days. Otherwise, seal it in a freezer bag to freeze it for a few weeks or months.
Smoked Mackerel Variations
You can use different herbs, spices, and marinades to make your own version of smoked mackerel! Make it as sweet, spicy, or savory as you want it to be by seasoning as preferred.
While usually flavored with salt, you can also season it with pepper, chili flakes, smoked paprika, orange zest, and more. You can cook the whole mackerel or prepare it in fillets too!
In fact, you can marinate it in your favorite rubs and marinades to infuse it with more flavor. Here are other ways to cook mackerel:
Pan-fried
- Preheat some oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Then, fry the mackerel with the skin side down.
- Cook it for up to four minutes on each side.
Air fryer
- Arrange a layer of seasoned mackerel in the air fryer basket.
- Then, preheat the air fryer.
- Cook the mackerel in the air fryer for up to five minutes on each side.
Recommended Tools
- Oven: Cook the mackerel in an oven.
- Parchment paper: Place parchment paper under the oven rack for easy cleaning.
- Toothpick: Secure the shape of the mackerel with a toothpick.
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How to Serve Smoked Mackerel
Indeed, mackerel is not just easy to cook, but it is also easy to serve! It goes with almost anything. Here are some of the best dishes to make with smoked mackerel:
Complete your meal with any of these yummy drinks:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Eat the smoked mackerel within a few hours of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoked mackerel healthy?
Yes, smoked mackerel is healthy if you eat them in moderation. Add it to your diet properly and balance it with other dishes and drinks. It’s good for your appetite, heart, stomach, brain, mood, immunity, bones, and strength!
How do you eat smoked mackerel?
Smoked mackerel is so flavorful that you can eat it with just rice! Otherwise, you can break it into chunks and add it to soups, stews, and other dishes. You will also love it with picked fruits or vegetables to get the most out of the flavors.
Is smoked mackerel fishy?
It has a good fishy taste coupled with a smoky and savory taste. If you season it properly, you will love how the fishy taste blends with the herbs and spices!
Smoked Mackerel (VIDEO)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 mackerel (fresh)
- salt to taste
Instructions
Prepare the mackerel
- Pull out the guts, roe (eggs), and gills from the head.
- Clean and rinse the mackerel.
- Gently fold the fish until the mouth reaches the tail and secure it with a toothpick. You can skip the folding step.
- Season it with sea salt.
Cook the smoked mackerel
- Place the fish on an oven rack.
- Put parchment paper under the oven rack for easy cleaning.
- Cook it in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 minutes on each side.
- Once cooked, transfer it onto a plate and serve!
Video
Notes
- Opt for fresh mackerel to make the best-smoked mackerel.
- You can also smoke it using an air fryer or frying pan.
- Cook it on both sides for even doneness.
Nutrition
