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Mackerel Fillets Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to mackerel fillets
About mackerel fillets
Mackerel is a broad term for a fish that includes as many as 30 different species. It is one of the healthiest fish you can eat, as it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that provide cardiovascular and other health benefits. Their nutritious nature makes mackerel fillets a very popular fish with consumers. Several million tons of fish are harvested by fishermen globally each year.
Mackerel are found on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. The different species grow at different rates, with some adult mackerel growing to 17 inches and weighing more than 2 pounds.Â
You shouldn't wait long to consume mackerel after buying it from your local market or fish store. Mackerel spoil quickly and usually will last in your refrigerator only for about a day or two, even under the best circumstances.
Mackerel fillets include a rich supply of vitamins and minerals. They provide more than a day's worth of your recommended daily intake of vitamin D, but they also contribute significant quantities of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc.
Many people say that mackerel has a sweet taste that they find to be comparable to tuna or salmon but that it is slightly milder than those options. A mackerel fillet contains a modest amount of sodium, so you will probably not find it to be overly salty. The fish is firm but chewy, and it contains bones. It is great served as an entree, sliced for sandwiches, or chopped for salads.
Interestingly, mackerel has an array of predators above and beyond humans. It is often a source of food for other marine animals, such as dolphins, whales, tuna, marlin, and sharks, as well as various breeds of seabirds.
Mackerel fillet cooking tips
Mackerel fillets respond well to a variety of cooking methods. You can pan-fry mackerel in a few tablespoons of olive oil, keeping the heat on the stove at about medium temperature. Some recipes suggest that it's even OK to pan-fry the mackerel with the skin on it. The fillets are ready to eat when they turn light brown. If you keep the skin on, the mackerel fillets are ready to eat when the skin turns crispy and golden.
For grilling mackerel fillets, start first by preheating your grill to medium-high. Make a few small slices in the fish. Then season the outside and the inside with salt, pepper, and oil. Lemon and thyme also go well with mackerel. Aim to grill both sides for about 10 to 12 minutes.
Mackerel also makes a delicious meal when baked or roasted. Line a tray with parchment paper to reduce any chances of a mess. Season your fish with salt, pepper, and oil, and bake with the skin side up. Once again, the fish is ready when the skin is browned and crispy.
Whatever your cooking method, recipes frequently include lemon, garlic, and other herbs as a common addition to mackerel to shape the taste the way your family likes it.
Mackerel Fillets Near Me
Buy your favorite Mackerel Fillets online with Instacart. Order Mackerel Fillets from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about mackerel fillets
Here are some of the most common forms of mackerel you might encounter when shopping:
- King mackerel
- Atlantic mackerel
- Atlantic Spanish mackerel
- Sierra mackerel
- Cero mackerel
These species grow to different lengths and weights. Their availability in the market may depend on where you live. Remember that mackerel goes bad quickly, so they tend to be found in quantity within a reasonable drive from the coasts.
You must keep mackerel in the refrigerator at a bare minimum, but you should plan on making a meal with it as soon as possible. Do not leave mackerel out on the counter for longer than an hour or two.
If your timeframe for cooking the fish goes longer than a day or two, consider putting your mackerel in the freezer for use at another time. Be careful how you store it. The freezer has to be zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Consider wrapping the fish in its original store packaging using aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer wrap. Then put that wrapped package into a freezer bag. Frozen mackerel seems to keep at peak taste even after being frozen for two to three months.
Whether fresh or frozen, grilled or fried, mackerel remains a fish that's great to cook for dinner. Consider putting some into the shopping cart on your Instacart app! Our Instacart shoppers will go to the store for you and pick out your fish, as well as other grocery and household items. Instacart is a great way to save time and money. In most cases, we can get your order to you with same-day delivery!