Mackerel Recipes

Mackerel are fish that must be either cooked and eaten or preserved on the same day that they are caught since they spoil quite quickly. They travel in large schools and are prime targets for commercial net fishermen, making them one of the most popular canning fish behind tuna.

Love 'em or Hate 'em

Mackerel are strong flavored fish that most people either love or hate. If you love it, one of the best ways to enjoy mackerel is in sushi. The mackerel sushi (or sashimi) is salt-cured for preservation so the texture is different from the other fish on your sushi platter. It's strong fishy taste contrasts wonderfully with the much milder yellowtail or tuna.

Mackerel in Names

Mackerel is immortalized in descriptive names, such as mackerel tabby and mackerel sky. A mackerel sky is one in which the clouds are scattered in a regular formation much like the scales on a fish. A mackerel tabby describes the coat of a striped cat in which the stripes can appear as scalloped scales.

Cooking Considerations

Mackerel is an oily fish that can be prepared almost any way: baked, broiled, stewed, or grilled. Because of its robust flavor, it pairs well with bland vegetables such as boiled potatoes.