Simple Grilled Swordfish Recipe

Swordfish is a delicious lean fish that can be enjoyed grilled, pan-fried, steamed, baked, or deep-fried. Our favorite way to cook it on the grill with lemon. It’s firm, meaty, and cooks quickly. 

What is Swordfish?

Swordfish is a popular mild-tasting white fish with a meaty texture. It has a firm texture and a mild and delicate flavor. 

It is usually sold in steaks. Because of its mild taste, it’s an excellent choice for those who don’t like fish.  

What Does Swordfish Taste Like?

Swordfish is tender, meaty and slightly sweet when properly cooked. The flavor of swordfish can be described as slightly sweet and mild. Its light flavor pairs well with garlic, butter, and other ingredients. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Swordfish Fillets
• Lemon Juice
• Olive Oil
• Wine Vinegar
• Dried Basil
• Salt and Pepper

How to Grill Swordfish

1. Whisk together lemon juice, oil, wine vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish that’s big enough to hold your swordfish.
2. Place the swordfish into the dish and rub the marinade around the fish thoroughly.
3. Cover with plastic wraps and let the fish marinate for 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. Heat your grill to 450°F. Once hot, brush the oil on the grates.
5. Remove swordfish from the marinade and place it onto the grill.
6. Grill for 5-8 minutes each side or until the fish has cooked through and it flakes easily with a fork. 

How Long to Cook Swordfish

Cooking times will vary based on the thickness and size of the fish. It cooks quickly, and usually takes about 5-8 minutes in a 450°F grill. 

How to Tell When the Swordfish is Done Cooking

Cooked fish will easily flake with a fork and the color is completely opaque when fully cooked. The most reliable way is to use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, a reading of 140°F is the target temperature for fish.

Does Swordfish Need to Be Flipped Halfway Through?

No, turning the swordfish while it cooks isn’t necessary and can cause the fillet to fall apart.

How to Thaw Swordfish

The easiest way to thaw fish is to place it in the fridge and thaw it overnight.

If you want to defrost it faster, add it into a zip-top bag. Then place the bag into a mixing bowl filled with cold water. Change every 20-30 minutes, and it will thaw in about 1 hour. Once defrosted, the swordfish should be used immediately.

What Can I Serve with Swordfish?

Swordfish is white fish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some of our favorites include: 

• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Mashed Potatoes
• Steamed Broccoli

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Easy Grilled Swordfish Recipe

Swordfish is a delicious lean fish that can be enjoyed grilled, pan-fried, steamed, baked, or deep-fried. Our favorite way to cook it on the grill with lemon. It’s firm, meaty, and cooks quickly.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Marinate Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 4 swordfish fillets
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Whisk together lemon juice, oil, wine vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish that’s big enough to hold your swordfish.
• Place the swordfish into the dish and rub the marinade around the fish thoroughly.
• Cover with plastic wraps and let the fish marinate for 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Heat your grill to 450°F. Once hot, brush the oil on the grates.
• Remove swordfish fillets from the marinade and place them onto the grill.
• Grill for 5-8 minutes each side or until the fish has cooked through and it flakes easily with a fork. Serve and enjoy!