Smoked Mackerel Recipe

Whenever you feel like adding seafood to your diet, make Smoked Mackerel one of your go-to choices!

Adding fish recipes means having better heart health, sharper brain function, and tastier meals for you. Mackerel is one of my favorite fishes because it’s easy to cook and season, especially if you smoke it.

Smoked Mackerel will certainly be an interesting twist to your whole family’s diet. It’s guaranteed to have a savory, sweet, and umami flavor with its tender and light quality until the last bite.

No matter how complex it tastes, Smoked Mackerel is actually simple to cook. It’s not just a stand-alone dish but it can also be one of the best toppings for other dishes that you want to cook!

How to Make Smoked Mackerel

Another good reason to include more fish in your diet is because of how easy and quick they are to cook. Even with just fresh mackerel and salt, you can already make a meal that everyone will remember.

Before diving into the recipe, let’s talk about the mackerel first.

Ingredient

What can the mackerel offer to your appetite and diet?

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! 

And what health benefits can you expect from 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 ready to cook Smoked Mackerel? Let’s go! 

Directions

This is how easy it is to prepare Smoked Mackerel:

1. Pull out the guts, roe (eggs), and gills from the head. 
2. Clean and rinse the mackerel. 
3. Gently fold the fish until the mouth reaches the tail.
4. Secure it with a toothpick.
5. Then, season it with salt. 
6. Place the fish on an oven rack. 
7. Then, put parchment paper under the oven rack for easy cleaning.
8. Cook it in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 minutes on each side.
9. 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:

1. Rinse the fish and pat it dry.
2. Then, wrap it in cling film or foil.
3. 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

There’s always more than one way to make Smoked Mackerel!

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, dill, thyme, chives, tarragon, cilantro, and black pepper. 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-fry

1. Preheat some oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Then, fry the mackerel with the skin side down.
3. Cook it for up to four minutes on each side.

Air fryer

1. Arrange a layer of seasoned mackerel in the air fryer basket.
2. Then, preheat the air fryer.
3. Cook the mackerel in the air fryer for up to five minutes on each side.

More Mackerel Recipes

• Smoked Mackerel Stew – savor hot and comforting stew with mackerel as the fish.
• Red Bream Stew – red bream is also one of the best fishes for your diet.
• Grilled Salmon – taste how delicious salmon can be when you grill it.
• Fish Rolls – they’re crunchy on the outside yet savory on the inside.

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!

On its own, Smoked Mackerel already tastes incredible. It can be a snack or appetizer ith crackers, bread, and vegetables. I also suggest using mackerel chunks for your vegetable salads.

For an on-the-go meal, use the fish as a filling for your sandwiches, wraps, and omelets. Sometimes, I mix the mackerel with pasta or noodles, too. It especially tastes good in soups and stews.

• Egusi Soup – top your Egusi Soup with chunks of smoked mackerel.
• Fried Pepper Stew – every stew tastes amazing with this dish.
• Moi Moi – give your Moi Moi a new quality with this fish.
• Fried Rice – a smoky breakfast is truly good for your appetite.
• Egg Omelet Toast – mackerel makes a wonderful filling for toast, too.

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 do you eat smoked mackerel with?

I suggest eating smoked mackerel with soups, stews, sandwiches, salads, wraps, noodles, pasta, omelets, and so much more. It will also taste good with dips or sauces of your choice.

How is smoked mackerel made?

Start making smoked mackerel by cleaning the fish. Season it with your favorite herbs and spices. Then, grill it in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 minutes on each side.

What does smoked mackerel taste like?

Smoked mackerel is known for its signature savory, smoky, and rich flavor. It also has a hint of sweetness to it. Sometimes, it may also taste meaty.