Give your diet a new twist with a delicious, healthy, and exciting Smoked Mackerel recipe!
Adding fish recipes to your meals plays an important role in keeping you healthy and happy. Mackerel is one of the best fish for dishes because it’s easy to season and cook to perfection.
Once you learn how to cook Smoked Mackerel, you’ll be craving it more often than you think. Get ready to experience its savory, sweet, and umami flavor with its tender and light quality!

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If you haven’t tried Smoked Mackerel yet, then you can change that now. I’ll show you the easiest way to cook mackerel to unleash how tasteful and satisfying it can be!
How to Make Smoked Mackerel
You might be surprised to know that Smoked Mackerel is simpler to cook than it seems. Even with just fresh mackerel and salt, you can already make a meal that everyone will remember.
Now, let’s learn more about the mackerel!
Ingredient
Why should you get excited about eating mackerel?
Mackerel
Make room for mackerel because it’ll surely take your breath away.
Mackerel is one of the most common fish food in the world. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, this tastes similar to salmon. Even without seasoning, it is already flavorful!
Moreover, mackerel is preserved through 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!
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.
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 convinced that you should add smoked mackerel to your diet? It’ll surely be one of your favorite ways to cook mackerel.
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.
- 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?
Tips
Buying mackerel
Here is a list of what to look for when buying fresh mackerel or fish:
- Its eyes should be clear and bright.
- The skin also 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 you prefer.
While usually flavored with salt, you can also season it with pepper, chili flakes, paprika, orange zest, and more. You can also 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 Smoked 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:
You can serve Smoked Mackerel for lunch or dinner to give everyone a wonderful experience. It’ll surely be a pleasant surprise for your guests!
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Eat the Smoked Mackerel within a few hours of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoked mackerel a healthy fish?
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 also good for your appetite, heart, stomach, brain, mood, immunity, bones, and strength!
What is a smoked mackerel?
Smoked Mackerel is one of the recipes that you can do with fresh mackerel. You just need to cook the mackerel in the oven to unleash its savory and umami flavor.
Is smoked mackerel nice?
Of course, it is! In fact, Smoked Mackerel is one of the easiest and best fish recipes you can do at home. You can also improve the natural delicious flavor of the mackerel with seasonings!
Is smoked mackerel a fatty fish?
Indeed, Smoked Mackerel is a fatty fish. Like salmon, it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Don’t worry; it’s actually the good kind of fat that’s good for your heart.

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.