There are a variety of ways to cook king mackerel steaks.

Image Credit: Karl Tapales/Moment/GettyImages

In This Article

    Fried
  
    Grilled
  
    Pan-Seared
  King mackerel, or kingfish, is native to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North America and Europe. The fish ranges in weight from less than 1 pound to as much as 70 pounds.

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 Fish markets sell small mackerel whole and divide larger mackerel into steaks and fillets. The flesh is thick, fatty and savory, and you can use a variety of cooking methods to prepare a delicious king mackerel meal.

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Things You'll Need

2 king mackerel steaks Paper towels Salt Olive oil Large Skillet Spatula 1 chili pepper, finely chopped, if frying 2 cloves garlic, minced, if grilling

  1. Fried

Season the king mackerel steaks with salt. Allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet on medium. Place the steaks in the skillet and fry each side for about 5 minutes — they should be lightly browned and opaque in the center. Remove the steaks from the heat and sprinkle chopped pepper on top.

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 2. Grilled

Season the king mackerel steaks with olive oil, salt and minced garlic. Allow them to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the grill to medium. Cook the mackerel steaks for 5 minutes on each side, until the flesh in the center is opaque. Remove the steaks from the grill. Allow them to stand for 5 minutes, until the juices redistribute. Serve warm.

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 3. Pan-Seared

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the olive oil on high in a large ovenproof skillet on the stove top. Add the king mackerel steaks. Cook the steaks on each side for 2 minutes, until the flesh is lightly browned. Place the skillet in the oven. Cook the steaks for 10 to 15 minutes, until the flesh in the center is opaque.

Warning According to a joint statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, young children and people who are pregnant or nursing shouldn’t eat king mackerel, due to elevated mercury levels. Related Reading 13 Types of Fish to Avoid Eating

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  references
  
      Sharon Tyler Herbst: "The New Food Lover's Companion"
    
      Environmental Protection Agency: "FDA/EPA 2004 Advice on What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish"
       




  references
  
      Sharon Tyler Herbst: "The New Food Lover's Companion"
    
      Environmental Protection Agency: "FDA/EPA 2004 Advice on What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish"
    




There are a variety of ways to cook king mackerel steaks.

Image Credit: Karl Tapales/Moment/GettyImages

Image Credit: Karl Tapales/Moment/GettyImages

  • Fried

  • Grilled

  • Pan-Seared

  • 2 king mackerel steaks

  • Paper towels

  • Salt

  • Olive oil

  • Large Skillet

  • Spatula

  • 1 chili pepper, finely chopped, if frying

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced, if grilling

According to a joint statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, young children and people who are pregnant or nursing shouldn’t eat king mackerel, due to elevated mercury levels.

13 Types of Fish to Avoid Eating

      Sharon Tyler Herbst: "The New Food Lover's Companion"
    
      Environmental Protection Agency: "FDA/EPA 2004 Advice on What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish"