Are you tired of the same old fish dishes? Try the mighty swordfish recipe and read our secret tips for grilling, baking, and searing to make it perfect. Get your skillet or cast iron, black pepper, and fresh parsley, and let’s try these marinated variations. Your taste buds will go wild, your dinner guests will be shocked, and your aunt will ask for the recipe (and put you on the top of their favorite-nieces-and-nephews-list). Let’s elevate your fish game to the next level. Here’s how to cook a swordfish steak on the grill (easy recipe).

Grilled Swordfish: The Basics

There’s no better way to cook a swordfish than grilling it, and it’s super simple for beginners and adds a smoky flavor to the taste. I’ll walk you through the basics of grilling a swordfish, some tips on temperature, cooking time, and seasoning:

Temperature is straightforward. Preheat the grill to 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit or 230-260 degrees celsius, so it’s hot enough to sear the fish on the outside while the inside stays moist and juicy.

Cooking time depends on the thickness of the fish. Swordfish is a big and thick fish, so that it may take longer than other species, but 8 to 10 minutes per side should do it, generally. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit or 63 degrees Celsius. Smaller slices may do ok with 3 to 4 minutes per side. Oven or grill sometimes takes 10 to 15 minutes or 15 to 20 minutes. If it’s thicker, try 10 minutes longer.

Keep seasoning to the basics. A marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, and rosemary works excellent, and you can rub other spices on it, such as cumin, chili, and paprika, if you want.

Easy Grilled Swordfish Steak Recipes: Pan-Seared and Baked

Elevate your cooking to the next level. Let me show you a little secret grilled swordfish steak recipe that makes your grilled swordfish secrete salvia in any hypercritical food snob. There are many alternatives, but my favorite is baked and pan-roasted swordfish, Japanese swordfish sushi, and Korean swordfish with kimchi.

Baked swordfish recipe

Baking a swordfish in foil helps maintain its moisture and flavor. Here are the instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius
Rub the swordfish with kosher salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings
Place it on a sheet of foil
Add butter, lemon slices, and any herbs you like (optional)
Wrap the foil and seal it
Put it in the oven and let it bake for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick it is.
Once done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve with your favorite toppings or side dishes such as mango salsa, tomato, and caper for extra zing!

Note: If you’re unsure whether it’s cooked through, use a thermometer to see if the internal center temperature is above 145°F or 63°C.

Pan-Seared Swordfish Recipe

Pan-roasted, or pan-grilled, is another quick way to cook it, giving a nice crunchy crust on the outside. Follow these instructions:

Cut swordfish into portions.
Season the swordfish with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a pan, skillet, or cast iron over medium-high heat.
Add the swordfish to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or 4 to 5 minutes on each side (7-10 minutes in total) or until the fish is cooked through (center temperature above 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 degrees celsius)
Remove the fish from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes on plates before serving.
Optional: you can add a sauce or topping, such as a lemon butter or a salsa verde

Note: You can also add a squeeze of lemon or lime to the fish right before serving to add a touch of acidity and freshness to the dish. To prevent burning and sticking, it is also essential to use a high smoke point oil when pan-searing, such as canola oil or avocado oil.

These easy grilled swordfish recipes are great to start with, and once you feel comfortable, you can try more international versions.

International Swordfish Recipes

Let’s look at other examples, such as Japanese swordfish sushi and Korean swordfish with kimchi. You can also try a Mediterranean swordfish with tomatoes and capers, which we will get to shortly. The endless possibilities keep it interesting and keep it exciting.

Japanese Swordfish Sushi Recipe

Japanese Swordfish Sushi Instructions:

Cut sushi-grade swordfish into thin slices
In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to make sushi rice
Cook sushi rice according to package instructions and mix it with the vinegar mixture
Place a small amount of sushi rice on top of the swordfish slice
Add a small amount of wasabi on top of the rice
Roll the fish and rice with a seaweed sheet
Serve with soy sauce and wasabi

Note: Make sure to handle the swordfish carefully when cutting it and to use fresh fish. It’s best to prepare it on the same day of purchase.

Korean Swordfish with kimchi and other spices

Follow these instructions to make Korean swordfish with kimchi:

Cut swordfish into thick slices.
Mix a dry rub of gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder), ginger, garlic cloves, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar
Rub the dry rub mixture onto both sides of the swordfish slices
Heat a plancha or heavy skillet over high heat, place the swordfish on the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on how thick it is, or until the fish is cooked through (use a thermometer and check the temperature above 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 degrees Celsius.)
Serve with kimchi and other Korean side dishes like pickled radish and stir-fried vegetables.

Note: You can also add a squeeze of lemon or lime to the fish right before serving to add a touch of acidity and freshness to the dish.

Easy Swordfish Kabobs and Piccata Step-By-Step

Swordfish Kabobs Recipe

Swordfish kabob skewers are simple to make, and you’ll be able to enjoy them in no time!

Get your fish and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs in a bowl.
Throw the fish cubes into the bowl and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
While the fish marinates, you can prep your veggies – bell peppers, onions, and any other veggies you like on your kabobs.
Once the fish has marinated, skewer them up with the veggies and get your grill fired up.
Grill those babies for about 8-10 minutes per side.
Serve them up with a side of your choice, and enjoy! And that’s it! So easy, right?

Note: Before grilling, you can add extra flavor to the kabobs by brushing them with a basting brush with the marinade or with a different sauce.

Swordfish Piccata Recipe

Let’s make a yummy swordfish piccata for your next dinner. It’s super easy; follow these instructions:

Cut the fish into appropriate portions.
Mix some flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
Dredge the fish portions of the flour mix so it gets a nice coating all around.
Get a skillet, and heat a tablespoon of oil or butter at medium-high heat.
Put your fish portions in the pan and cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side until it’s cooked through (use a thermometer).
Once done, remove the fish from the pan and let it sit on plates for a few minutes.
Add some chicken- or fish stock, capers, and butter, and squirt some lemon juice in the same pan.
Cook until the sauce thickens, but don’t burn the butter or let it go brown.
Serve the fish with sauce poured on top, and add a side dish like rice, vegetables, or pasta. Bon appetit!

Note: You can add some extra flavor to the sauce by adding chopped garlic or shallots when cooking the sauce.

Swordfish A La Plancha Recipe

Another option is making a delicious and easy-peasy Spanish Swordfish a La Plancha. Your family will love this recipe. Here’s what you need to do:

Cut swordfish into thick slices
Mix the spices: dry rub smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil
Rub the mixture onto both sides of the fish slices
Heat a plancha or a heavy skillet over high heat
Place your fish on the pan and cook for at least 2-3 minutes per side until it’s cooked through the center.
Serve with a squeeze of lemon and some chopped parsley on top.

Note: Try extra flavors, sprinkle herbs or spices like oregano or thyme, and add more toppings like diced tomatoes or olives. Also, you can pair it with crusty bread and a green salad.

Other options: Mediterranean flavors, Keto and Gluten-free Marinade

Swordfish is an excellent fish for Mediterranean flavors. Try pan-searing and topping it with diced tomatoes, capers, Kalamata olives, white wine, and lemon juice.

For a keto-friendly option, marinate swordfish in olive oil and lemon juice and serve with steamed or grilled vegetables. Swordfish skewers with a low-carb marinade or herb, spice rub, and salad make a great gluten-free option.

For a gluten-free diet, grill, bake, or pan-sear swordfish without using flour or breadcrumbs as a coating. Use gluten-free marinades and seasoning blends, and serve the fish with vegetables or gluten-free grains like quinoa or rice. Enjoy the delicious and healthy options!

Jamie Oliver’s Swordfish with Tomatoes and Capers Recipe

Jamie Oliver is everyone’s beloved chef and inspiration. Here’s a recipe inspired by him:

Make a dressing by mixing 2 tbsp lemon juice, 5 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Make the salsa by mixing 3-4 diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp capers, 1/2 cup red onions, 1 chopped garlic, 1/2 cup parsley, 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 6-8 tbsp olive oil, 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 diced cucumber, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Pat the swordfish steaks with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grill for 2-4 minutes on each side, and remove from heat.
Mix the cooked green beans and lettuce with the dressing.
Place swordfish on top of the dressed greens.
Spoon the tomato salsa on top of the swordfish.
Enjoy your delicious Grilled Swordfish with Green Beans and Spicy Tomato Salsa!

Note: Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasoning to your liking. And you can use any lettuce you like or prefer.

Conclusion: Best Swordfish

You can cook the best swordfish in all kinds of ways! Grilling, baking, pan-searing, broiling, you name it! Don’t be afraid to get crazy with the seasonings and toppings; try new things and find what you like best. Fresh fish is key, but don’t stress too much about cooking temps or resting times as long as you ensure it’s cooked through. Experiment, have fun and be bold in the kitchen (of course, be careful and don’t burn the house down). Cooking swordfish should be a blast, so enjoy the ride!

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How to Cook a Swordfish Steak Recipe (Grilled, Baked, Pan Seared)