37 mackerel recipes

Grilled mackerel fillets with lime mojo

We love this recipe for grilled mackerel fillets with lime mojo – the acidity of the lime and orange works really well with this oily fish.

Smoked mackerel, beet and apple salad with creamy horseradish dressing

Put smoked mackerel at the heart of this wholesome salad, packed with crunchy apple and vibrant beetroot. This recipe is full of flavour and ready in just 40 minutes – an easy midweek meal for the family. Check out more of our salad recipes here.

How to make quick cured mackerel

Got some fresh mackerel you want to prepare? Learn how to cure mackerel with this easy how-to guide and recipe, served with a simple fennel salad.

Mackerel curry

This protein-rich mackerel curry – flavoured with curry leaves, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, ginger and more – is deliciously creamy and ready in under an hour.

Mackerel puttanesca with orzo

This colourful, low-calorie mackerel dinner calls for seared mackerel fillets, a quick puttanesca sauce and orzo pasta, and it's all ready in 20 minutes.

Mackerel, celeriac and lemon

This impressive mackerel starter recipe comes from chef Johnnie Crowe of Nest in Hackney, served with warm lemony celeriac. Check out the full menu from Nest here.

Grilled mackerel with Korean chilli

Mussels take centre stage in this grilled mackerel recipe with Korean chilli, from David Gingell and Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim's restaurant, Westerns Laundry. It's quick and simple to make, and serves 2 as a starter. More starter recipes here.

Verjus-pickled mackerel

Verjus is made from pressed, unripe, green grapes and is a really versatile ingredient. Try it in this mackerel recipe from Nathan Outlaw's restaurant The Capital in Knightsbridge.

Whole roast mackerel, leeks, kohlrabi and jerusalem artichokes

Wow your dinner party guests and put mackerel at the centre of this recipe served with jerusalem artichoke crisps. This impressive recipe comes from chef Jackson Berg from moveable restaurant Xiringuito in Liverpool.

Indian-spiced mackerel with heirloom tomato salad

Make the most of mackerel in our easy Indian-spiced dish served with an heirloom tomato salad. This simple dish is low-calorie, gluten-free and ready in just 20 minutes. Many more 20 minute recipes here.

Sicilian mackerel with cauliflower purée

Mackerel is at its prime in this quick and easy Sicilian recipe served with a flavoursome cauliflower purée.

Smoked mackerel pâté with cucumber and pickled beetroot

Mackerel is whizzed up in this flavour-packed pâté recipe served with sliced cucumber and pickled beetroot, to make it a bit more special. Many more pâté recipes here.

Mackerel with lemon salsa

Grilled or barbecued mackerel is easy to cook, economical and full of flavour. Here it is served with a punchy lemon and olive salsa. Check out more of our best BBQ recipes here.

Mackerel tartare

Looking for an easy dinner party starter? Fresh mackerel is pepped up in this tartare recipe for an impressive first course that is best served on hot toast. Many more fish recipes here.

Smoked mackerel hash with eggs, tzatziki and roasted peppers

Make the most of mackerel in this easy hash with eggs, tzatziki and roasted peppers. This simple brunch recipe feeds four and is ready in under an hour. Check out more of our brunch recipes here.

Teriyaki mackerel, pineapple and rice lettuce wraps

Spice up mackerel in this easy recipe with teriyaki sauce served with a pineapple salad, rice and lettuce wraps. It's easy to make and full of fresh Asian flavours. Check out our best Asian street food recipes here.

Smoked mackerel pâté

Shake up your lunchtime and put mackerel at the centre with this quick and easy recipe. It's the perfect thing to pack into your lunchbox as it's ready in just 15 minutes and is under 500 calories. Discover more of our best lunch recipes here.

Sweet potato jackets with smoked mackerel and dill yogurt

Pimp up your classic jacket potato with sweet potato and flavoursome smoked mackerel. This healthy mackerel recipe is served with a dill yogurt. Plenty more jacket potato recipes here.

Charred mackerel, chia seeds, dill, wakame and cucumber

This Japanese-inspired starter of charred mackerel, chia seeds, dill, wakame and cucumber from The Manor in Clapham is packed with fresh flavours – perfect for entertaining. Discover more entertaining recipes here.

Spiced mackerel fillets with potato salad

Mackerel is a brilliantly versatile fish which works well on the grill or BBQ. This easy recipe perks it up with Indian spices, served with a zingy lemon potato salad.

Warm mackerel on sourdough with pickled cucumbers

Make the most of mackerel in this super-easy recipe – it's ready in under 30 minutes and has a great mustard kick, perfect for lunch or a light starter. Check out our best recipes for 'things on toast' here.

Spiced mackerel fillets with shallot and lemon chickpeas

Want a quick and easy way to spice up your fresh seasonal mackerel? This light meal has plenty of flavour from lemons, harissa and cumin, and is less than 500 calories. Discover easy low calorie meal ideas here.

Mackerel, beetroot and cucumber tartine

Put mackerel at the centre of this Scandinavian inspired open-sandwich. This tartine makes an easy, filling lunch with healthy oily fish. Plus, it's ready in just 15 minutes. Check out our more of tartine recipes here.

Smoked mackerel on rye with horseradish cream and pickled radish

This easy recipe for smoked mackerel on rye with horseradish cream and pickled radish makes for a lighter dinner for one – the horseradish gives it a punchy kick. Check out more of our best recipes for one here.

Smoked mackerel with celeriac and rocket salad

Make the most of mackerel in this great-value meal ready in no time at all. With a peppery salad, this is the perfect healthy supper. And to turn up the flavour, add some chopped apples and raisins. Try more of our healthy recipes here.

Masala mackerel

Mackerel's oily flesh means it can withstand strong flavours such as chilli and citrus – both of which are used in this dish alongside ginger, tamarind, cumin and garam masala. Roast the fish until the skin becomes crisp and lightly blistered.

Istanbul’s mackerel sandwiches (balik ekmek)

A street-food favourite in Istanbul, these ciabatta sarnies are stuffed with fried mackerel, salad and a pomegranate molasses dressing for an easy lunch that's ready in just 20 minutes.

Mackerel with pickled grape salad

Serve grilled mackerel on a bed of punchy pickled grapes and crushed coriander seeds in this 20-minute, low calorie dinner.

Gravadlax (cured mackerel)

This melt-in-your-mouth salmon dish is cured in the traditional Scandinavian way with sea salt, dill and pepper. Serve on toasted rye bread à la Scandi or with salad.

Grilled mackerel with orange salad

Oranges work really well with mackerel and make a refreshing addition to this simple, zesty salad. It's perfect for lunch but is substantial enough to for a lighter supper.

Smoked mackerel, lemon and herb pâté

This oh-so-easy pâté is made by simply whizzing in a food processor and chilling until you're ready to serve. It also works with hot smoked trout or salmon.

Soused mackerel with cucumber salad

Check out this mackerel starter, soused overnight in white wine vinegar and served with a kick of horseradish. The crisp cucumber salad cuts through the oiliness of the fish and is the perfect compliment.

Celeriac remoulade with warm smoked mackerel

Smoked fish goes perfectly with this classic French remoulade, made with celeriac for a tasty and quick weekend lunch.

Smoked mackerel and roasted beet salad

Mackerel and beetroot match perfectly with each other and this is a really quick and easy way to partner them.

Miso mackerel with chilli brown rice

Grilling is an easy way to cook oily fish and the miso-mirin marinade takes minutes to make. Serve with brown rice for a filling weeknight dinner.

Smoked mackerel, beet and potato salad with soured cream dressing

This healthy recipe is packed with good-for-you oily fish, beetroot and watercress for an easy, quick midweek supper for two.