Grilled Mackerel in a DIY Mesh Basket: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 26/12/2024

The humble mackerel, a small but mighty fish packed with flavour and omega-3s, deserves a cooking method that truly celebrates its delicate nature. Grilling, with its ability to create beautifully charred skin and succulent flesh, is a perfect match. But grilling whole fish can be tricky; preventing it from sticking and breaking apart is a common frustration. This is where our DIY mesh grilling basket comes in – a simple, ingenious tool that elevates your grilling game and ensures perfectly cooked mackerel every time. Forget messy foil packets and frustrating flopping fish.

This guide will walk you through building your own reusable grilling basket, a process that's quicker and easier than you might think, using readily available materials. From selecting the right mesh to assembling the basket and preparing the mackerel, we'll provide clear, step-by-step instructions so you can enjoy delicious, expertly grilled mackerel in no time. Let’s get started!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Mesh
  • Grill
  • Knife
  • Flap Disc (optional)
  • Weber Grill (or similar)
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Paper Towels
Safety Guidelines
  • Always preheat your grill to medium-high heat before placing the mackerel basket on it. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
  • Use caution when handling hot grill grates and the mesh basket after cooking. Use oven mitts or tongs to avoid burns.
  • Ensure the mackerel fillets are fully cooked before consuming. The flesh should flake easily with a fork, and the internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Catch and Prepare the Mackerel

    • Catch a blue mackerel. The video demonstrates spearfishing, but other methods can be used.
    • Butterfly the mackerel to determine its dimensions for the grilling basket. (Instructions on how to butterfly a mackerel are linked in a previous video).
    Butterfly the mackerel to determine its dimensions for the grilling basket. (Instructions on how to butterfly a mackerel are linked in a previous video).
    Catch and Prepare the Mackerel

  2. Construct the Grilling Basket

    • Create a grilling basket from mesh, sized to fit the butterflied mackerel (approximately 36cm x 36cm in this example).

  3. Prepare the Mackerel for Grilling

    • Wash and season generously with salt and olive oil.
    Prepare the mackerel: Wash and season generously with salt and olive oil.
    Prepare the Mackerel for Grilling

  4. Preheat and Grill

    • Preheat the grill to a high temperature.
    • Place the mackerel in the mesh basket, skin-side up, on the preheated grill.
    • Grill the mackerel, oiling it occasionally to maintain moisture and achieve crispy skin. Flip it once the underside is cooked (less than a minute).
    Grill the mackerel, oiling it occasionally to maintain moisture and achieve crispy skin. Flip it once the underside is cooked (less than a minute).Grill the mackerel, oiling it occasionally to maintain moisture and achieve crispy skin. Flip it once the underside is cooked (less than a minute).Grill the mackerel, oiling it occasionally to maintain moisture and achieve crispy skin. Flip it once the underside is cooked (less than a minute).Grill the mackerel, oiling it occasionally to maintain moisture and achieve crispy skin. Flip it once the underside is cooked (less than a minute).
    Preheat and Grill

  5. Serve and Enjoy

    • Remove from grill once cooked through and enjoy!
    Remove from grill once cooked through and enjoy!
    Serve and Enjoy

Read more: Housewise Steel Grill Rolling Set: Effortless Grilling for Vegetables and More!

Tips

  • Bleeding and icing the fish after catching improves its taste.
  • Blue mackerel is an oily fish best suited for grilling.
  • Use a mesh basket to prevent the fish from sticking to the grill and to make flipping easier.
  • Oil the mackerel frequently during grilling to keep it moist and achieve a crispy skin.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcooking the Mackerel

Reason: Mackerel is a delicate fish that cooks quickly. Overcooking leads to dry, tough flesh.
Solution: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and remove from heat immediately.

2. Not Properly Oiling the Mesh Basket

Reason: The mackerel can stick to the mesh basket, leading to tearing and difficulty in removal.
Solution: Generously coat the mesh basket with high-heat oil before placing the mackerel inside.

3. Grilling at Too High a Temperature

Reason: High heat can cause the mackerel to burn on the outside before cooking through on the inside.
Solution: Start with medium heat and adjust as needed to ensure even cooking.

FAQs

What kind of mesh basket should I use for grilling mackerel?
Use a food-safe, fine-mesh basket that's sturdy enough to hold the fish without breaking. Stainless steel or similar heat-resistant material is best. Avoid baskets with very large holes, as the mackerel could fall apart.
How do I prevent the mackerel from sticking to the mesh basket?
Lightly oil the mesh basket before placing the mackerel inside. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray designed for high heat. This helps create a barrier and makes it easier to remove the fish.
How long should I grill the mackerel?
Grilling time depends on the thickness of the mackerel and your grill's heat. Generally, 4-6 minutes per side is a good starting point. Check for doneness by gently flaking the fish with a fork; it's ready when it flakes easily.