Grilled Mackerel with Citrus Sauce

Name: Grilled Mackerel with Citrus Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Mackerel (2 whole, already gutted) 1.8 lbs; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste; Grapefruit juice 0.4 cup; Orange juice 0.3 cup; Lemon juice 4 tbsp; Grapefruit peel 0.7 oz; Orange peel 1.4 tbsp; Lemon peel 4 ½ tsp; Acacia honey 1 tbsp; Mustard 0.7 tbsp; Cornstarch 1 ¼ tsp; Parsley to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Radicchio 10.5 oz; Balsamic vinegar to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

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Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Sebastian Fitarau

In Italian cuisine, grilled mackerel with a citrus sauce really shows how something so simple can feel super special. This mackerel, known as sgombro, might not be as popular as sea bass, but it is really really full of flavor. Plus, it's packed with omega-3 rich goodness. Grilling gives the fish a tender, slightly crispy outside—perfectly paired with that tangy and fresh citrus sauce. Seriously good. This sauce is key—it softens the mackerel’s bold taste and adds brightness to every bite. And you know what? You'll often find this kind of mackerel recipe in Italian homes, especially when folks want something healthy that still feels refined. A side of sautéed radicchio adds just the right touch of bitterness and color, turning the plate into a balanced meal that suits both family tables and fancy dinners.

Italians get super creative with blue fish like mackerel. Beyond grilled mackerel, you'll see it pan-fried, baked, or wrapped with herbs and nuts for a different twist. The idea is to keep it fresh and use seasonal produce—sometimes pairing it with cime di rapa or whatever vegetables look good at the market. This moist and flavorful fish stands up to various preparations, making it a real star in seafood recipes. Thing is, the combination of golden grilled skin, zesty citrus sauce, and that pop of radicchio reflects what healthy Italian food is all about—simple, smart and never boring. It's pretty simple to put together on a busy weeknight but would fit right in at a holiday dinner too. For real, anyone looking to dive into healthy fish recipes or try something different from the usual grilled fish will likely find themselves making this one again and again. Italian cuisine values not just flavor but also the freshness of local produce—which is evident in how versatile this dish can be. It’s a great way to enjoy a nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or style, really capturing the core of modern Italian cooking.

INGREDIENTS

For the Mackerel: Mackerel 1.8 lbs (800 g) - (2 whole, already gutted); Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste

For the Citrus Sauce: Grapefruit juice 0.4 cup (100 g); Orange juice 0.3 cup (80 g); Lemon juice 4 tbsp (60 g); Grapefruit peel 0.7 oz (20 g); Orange peel 1.4 tbsp (20 g); Lemon peel 4 ½ tsp (20 g); Acacia honey 1 tbsp (20 g); Mustard 0.7 tbsp (10 g); Cornstarch 1 ¼ tsp (5 g); Parsley to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

For the Radicchio: Radicchio 10.5 oz (300 g); Balsamic vinegar to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Grilled Mackerel with Citrus Sauce

To prepare the grilled mackerel with citrus sauce, start with the sauce: grate the zest of the lemon, orange, and grapefruit 1, then extract the juice 2. In a small pot, combine the grated zest and the citrus juice 3.

Add the honey 4, mustard 5, and cornstarch 6.

Season with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley 7, then mix well 8. Heat and let thicken for about ten minutes, stirring constantly 9.

Set the sauce aside and focus on the radicchio: divide the heads into wedges about 1.25 inches thick 10. Heat the oil in a pan and place the radicchio 11, then brown on both sides over medium heat 12.

When it starts to crust, add salt, pepper 13, and balsamic vinegar 14; cook the radicchio for a total of about 5 minutes. Once cooked, set the radicchio aside 15.

At this point, clean the mackerel: cut the fillets 16 and remove the bones 17, then salt them on both sides 18.

Also, drizzle with a little oil 19. Heat a grill well, then place the mackerel fillets skin side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side 20, or until the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily 21.

Plate 2 mackerel fillets per person, alternating with the radicchio wedges 22, then drizzle with the sauce 23. Your grilled mackerel with citrus sauce is ready to be served 34!

Storage

It is recommended to consume the grilled mackerel with citrus sauce immediately. If necessary, you can store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of one day.

The citrus sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.

Advice

If you use a cast iron grill, we recommend placing the mackerel fillets on a sheet of parchment paper during cooking to prevent the skin from breaking.

You can replace the radicchio with your preferred seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, fennel, spinach, or turnip greens!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.