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    Grilled Mackerel Rice Bowls With Soy & Mirin Sauce

    Jan 6, 2021 · Leave a Comment

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    grilled mackerel pinterest image

    Grilled Mackerel Rice Bowls are a longstanding favourite of mine. Bold smoky mackerel fillets with succulent flesh and crispy skin are served on a bed of rice with a portion of garlicky green beans on the side. A simple, slightly sweet soy and mirin sauce that cuts through the fattiness of the mackerel is drizzled on top.

    Did you know that you should eat one portion of oily fish every week? My grilled Mackerel Rice bowl is a great way to get those healthy fats and proteins. Mackerel is also one of the more affordable and widely available fish.

    If you're worried you don't have time to throw this dish together, don't be. You can get these delicious bowls of umami deliciousness on the table in under 30 minutes. There are a few simple steps and most can be done in the time it takes to cook the rice. The key is to do the shorter bits of prep while other ingredients cook. I have written the recipe in what I have found to be the most efficient order of things.

    grilled mackerel rice bowl

    My inspiration for this dish comes from a Japanese dish I love called Unagi Donburi. This translates as 'eel on rice'. The soy and mirin sauce is very similar to Japanese eel sauce. Sadly, it's almost impossible to buy eel in the UK so I enjoy eel sauce with mackerel instead. I often say that if I could only eat one dish for the rest of my life it would be a grilled fish rice bowl with some garlicky green veg on the side.

    4 reasons why you should make a Grilled Mackerel Rice Bowl:

    1. Healthy - mackerel is rich in omega 3, vitamin B12, vitamin D and protein.
    2. Affordable - mackerel tends to be cheaper than other types of fish like salmon, fresh tuna and seabass.
    3. Quick - because this dish takes up to 30 mins to make it is week-night friendly.
    4. Tasty - a grilled mackerel rice bowl is packed with flavour. Rich and smokey mackerel, garlicky green beans and the sweet, salty and tangy soy and mirin sauce.

    Key ingredients:

    mackerel rice bowl ingredients
    • Mackerel fillets - these can be fresh or frozen. If you are using frozen mackerel fillets make sure they are fully defrosted first.
    • Rice - I make this dish with sushi rice but basmati or jasmine rice will work well too. Use a packet of microwaveable pre-cooked rice if you want to save time.
    • Green beans - Garlicky fried beans are tasty and simple to make but other green veggies like broccoli, spinach or pak choi will also taste great when tossed in garlic.
    • Soy sauce - this is a key component of the sauce. Any standard light soy sauce will work well. Avoid using dark soy sauce because this will make the flavour of the sauce too strong. You can also use reduced salt soy sauce if you prefer.
    • Mirin - adds a little acidity and sweetness to the sauce. You should be able to find it in most larger supermarkets as well as Asian grocery stores.
    • Sugar - to sweeten the source. Feel free to use what you have in your cupboard. White and brown will both work.
    • Garlic - the par-boiled green beans are quickly tossed in a frying pan with garlic to give them some additional flavour before the dish is served.
    • Sesame seeds (optional) - I sprinkle these on the top of the dish before serving. They complement the flavours of the other ingredients and add an additional crunch.

    How to make grilled mackerel rice bowls:

    1. Prep the mackerel fillets

    If you want crispy skin the mackerel fillets need to be as dry as possible.

    Frozen mackerel: I recommend taking the fillets out of the freezer the night before, removing them from their packaging and placing them in the fridge on an uncovered plate or tray lined with kitchen paper. I find if they defrost in their packaging they often end up sitting in a little pool of water. This is game-over for crispy skin.

    Fresh mackerel: the mackerel fillets should also be removed from their packaging 2 to 8 hours before cooking and placed on an uncovered tray or plate. Remove any excess moisture with kitchen paper before placing them in the fridge.

    mackerel fillets prep

    2. Par-boil the green beans

    Put a pan of generously salted water on a medium heat, add the green beans when the water starts to simmer. The beans are ready when you can put a fork through them, but are still slightly underdone. This should take 5 to 7 minutes.

    par-boiled green beans

    3. Cook the rice

    Cook the rice according to packet instructions. You can prep the sauce and grill the mackerel while the rice cooks, but make sure you keep an eye on it and don't let it overcook.

    rice cooking in a pan

    4. Make the sauce

    Place a saucepan on a low heat and add soy sauce, mirin, sugar and water. Stir the ingredients until they are combined. Take the pan off the heat and set aside when the sauce starts to thicken.

    soy and mirin sauce in a saucepan

    5. Grill the mackerel

    Brush both sides of the mackerel fillets with oil and sprinkle fine sea salt onto the skin side. Place in the middle of the grill for a few minutes. Turn the fillets over so the skin side faces up as soon as the flesh turns opaque. Return to the middle of the grill until the skin starts to crisp. Move the fillets to the top of the grill for 1 to 2 minutes to get the skin extra crispy. Remove from the grill and set aside when done.

    mackerel fillets on grill pan

    6. Fry the beans and garlic

    Place a small frying pan on a medium/high heat and fry the beans and crushed garlic for a few minutes until the beans start to brown.

    garlic and green beans in a frying pan

    7. Serve

    You can plate up while the beans are frying. Divide the rice between your bowls or plates. Pour on half of the sauce. Place the mackerel fillets and beans on top of the rice and pour on the remaining sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds (if using) and serve.

    grilled mackerel plated up

    Top tips for a perfect Grilled Mackerel Rice Bowl:

    1. Remove as much moisture as you can - from the mackerel fillets with kitchen paper before you grill them. This is especially important if you are using frozen mackerel fillets. If the fillets are too wet the skin will not crisp.
    2. Watch the rice - you can make the sauce and grill the mackerel while the rice cooks but make sure you keep an eye on it and don't let it overcook.
    3. Cook the beans and rice in the same pan - remove the parboiled beans from the pan with tongs instead of draining them with a colander and use the water to cook the rice to save on washing up.
    4. Line the grill pan with foil - save clean-up time by placing a sheet of foil on top of the grill pan before adding the mackerel fillets.
    5. Speed things up - use a packet of pre-cooked microwaveable rice if you are in a hurry.
    grilled mackerel close cup

    More quick fish & seafood recipes:

    • Baked Furikake Salmon
    • Speedy Prawn Pho Recipe
    • Crunchy Roll Sushi Recipe
    • The Best Smoked Haddock Kedgeree
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    grilled mackerel rice bowl

    Grilled Mackerel


    • Author: Helen
    • Prep Time: 5
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Total Time: 25
    • Yield: 2 1x
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    Description

    Bold and smoky mackerel fillets with a simple and slightly sweet soy and mirin sauce served on a bed of rice with garlicky green beans.

    Serves 2.  Use the scaling buttons below to double or triple the quantity.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 200g (or 7oz) mackerel fillets
    • Fine sea or kosher salt 
    • 200g (or 8oz) green beans - washed and stems removed 
    • 1.5 tbsp oil - groundnut or sunflower are fine
    • 150g (or 5oz or ⅔ cup) sushi or basmati rice / a packet of microwaveable pre-cooked rice
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 2 tbsp mirin
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • 1 tbsp water
    • 2 garlic cloves - crushed 
    • 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Remove the mackerel from its packaging. Dry the fillets thoroughly with kitchen paper and place in the fridge on an uncovered plate or tray for up to 8 hours before cooking (optional but recommended for crispy skin).
    2. Set your grill to its highest heat.
    3. Take the mackerel fillets out of the fridge and place them on a sheet of foil.
    4. Place a pan of generously salted water on a medium/low heat. Add the green beans and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until you can easily place a fork through them but they are still a little firm. Remove with kitchen tongs and set aside.
    5. Wash the rice until the water runs clear and cook it according to packet instructions. You can use the same water you used to boil the beans. (note 1)
    6. While the rice cooks, place another small saucepan on a low heat and add the soy sauce, mirin, sugar and 1tbsp of water. Stir until the ingredients are combined and warmed through. Turn off the heat and set aside. (note 2)
    7. Brush both sides of the mackerel fillets with oil and sprinkle sea salt onto the skin side.
    8. Place the foil with mackerel fillets (skin side down) onto the grill pan lined with foil and grill in the middle of the oven for two minutes until the flesh becomes opaque. 
    9. Remove the fillets from the grill, turn them over so the skin side is now up and return to the grill and cook until the skin starts to crisp up.
    10. Move the grill pan up to the top of the grill for 1 more minute for extra crispy skin. Keep an eye on it and ensure you remove it before the skin starts to burn and set aside.
    11. Place a frying pan on a medium/high heat and add ½ tbsp oil, beans and crushed garlic. Fry the beans for a few minutes until they start to brown.
    12. Drain the rice when it is ready and divide it between the plates or bowls.
    13. Rewarm the sauce if needed. Keep half of the sauce in reserve and pour the rest over the rice portions.
    14. Add the cooked mackerel fillets to the top of the rice and place the beans on the side once cooked.
    15. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the top of the mackerel and beans.
    16. Sprinkle sesame seeds on the top if using.

    Notes

    1. If you are using a packet of pre-cooked rice you do not need to wash the rice first.
    2. You can also combine the sauce ingredients in the microwave if you prefer.
    • Category: Main
    • Cuisine: Japanese

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1
    • Calories: 689
    • Sugar: 17g
    • Sodium: 1,581mg
    • Fat: 26g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
    • Trans Fat: 0g
    • Carbohydrates: 85g
    • Fiber: 4g
    • Protein: 27g
    • Cholesterol: 69mg

    Keywords: grilled mackerel

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    Hi, I'm Helen! The creator of all the tasty, speedy and easy-to-follow recipes on Knife & Soul. I hope I can help you to add some deliciousness to your busy life today.

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