Whole Mackerel Delivery or Pickup

Eating fish is a great way to add important vitamins and minerals to your diet. One of the best fish you can eat is mackerel. Although this fish can be difficult to find at the supermarket because it tends to spoil quickly, it's worth looking for, as it's high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are exceptional for brain health, and fish is one of the main sources of this important part of your diet. If whole mackerel is frozen, smoked, or pickled, it lasts longer; otherwise, you'll want to eat it the day you purchase it.

Mackerel is typically sold whole because it's a smaller fish, at about a pound each. Whole mackerel is a bit darker than other fish varieties and has a beautiful iridescent coloring to its skin. In addition, its flavor is strong, rich, and delicious. Most whole mackerel is wild-caught from the Atlantic Ocean, and the fish is known for being oily. If you're looking for an eco-friendly type of fish, then whole mackerel more than fits the bill. It has been lauded for its sustainability.

Like most fish, mackerel has a season where it's abundant on the shelves at your local fish market or grocery store. The best time of year to get this fish is in the summer, as it's most readily caught from April into October. To ensure the fish is fresh, look for bright eyes and shiny skin. The fish should feel firm to the touch. If you pick it up by the head, it should have some rigidity and not be droopy. 

Since mackerel is sold whole, you'll want to ask to have it cleaned and gutted before you take it home. Of course, you can do it yourself at home if you prefer, but it's a messy job, so be prepared. You can use the Instacart app to save yourself time and have your fish picked out and delivered right to your door!

Thanks to its ability to hold its shape and firmness well when cooked, many people like to grill or barbecue whole mackerel. This fish does have a strong flavor, but it lends itself well to being stuffed. It can also be paired with other strong flavors, such as those you use when cooking Asian cuisine. Because it's sold whole, mackerel is usually cooked whole too, so you have to be careful of bones. But if it's properly cleaned, its bones shouldn't be a problem. 

You can cure, salt, and smoke your whole mackerel if you want it to last more than 24 hours. If not, try to eat it the same day you bring it home. Some of the flavors that pair well with whole mackerel include:

You can stuff whole mackerel with your favorite veggies, such as squash, bell peppers, shallots, or tomatoes. Fresh lemons and limes are another tasty option when stuffing whole mackerel. However, it's a great fish that you can prepare easily by just adding some olive oil and your favorite herbs and seasonings and then sliding it into the oven. Whether you pan-fry, oven-roast, or grill your whole mackerel, it'll take about 20 to 30 minutes to cook. When it's done, the meat should be flaky and golden brown. 

Using the Instacart app to order your whole mackerel lets you focus on preparing the food instead of shopping for it. After you place your order, an Instacart shopper will deliver it to you in as little as 2 hours!