Summer is considered “grilling season,” but grilling in the fall gets you outside to feel the chill in the air amid the changing colors. The smoke from your charcoal grill mixes with the scents of autumn to invigorate your precious outdoor time.
Grilling in the fall feels different, so try something different on the grill: swordfish. This powerful ocean predator is perfect over charcoal. Treat your swordfish like a steak, because that’s what it is. Swordfish is ideal for grilling: it’s firm and can take the heat, but cooks quickly and easily.
Treat Swordfish Like Steak
Swordfish is firm, meaty, and lean fish with a mild taste. It’s moist and a touch sweet, with a taste that even those who dislike other fish tend to enjoy.
How to Buy Swordfish
Swordfish isn’t always in season. Even when it is in season, be careful about its freshness. Buying frozen swordfish that has been frozen fresh at sea (sometimes called “clipper” swordfish) is a great option for getting the best product.
Swordfish meat ranges in color from white and ivory to pink to orange, depending on the diet of the fish. Color does not signify quality, but any brownish color means the fish is no longer fresh.
Always store fresh swordfish in the coldest part of the refrigerator, and storing it against ice will keep it even fresher for longer.
Whenever possible, support your local fishermen. The swordfish in this post was from Tuna Dockside Market here in San Diego. You can find out more about Swordfish recommendations from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program.
How Should Swordfish Be Grilled?
Because swordfish is so lean, it is not nearly as forgiving as fattier fish like salmon or tuna. So be cautious and avoid overcooking and ending up with dried-out fish. Swordfish is perfect for hot and fast cooking like a steak, and it’s recommended to cook it to an internal temperature of 140° F.
How Long to Grill Swordfish
Swordfish steaks will take approximately 3 to 8 minutes per side over direct heat for 1″ to 1 1/2″ thick steaks; depending on how hot the grill is, the temperature the fish started at, and if you cook with the lid opened or closed.
Grill it to brown on the outside but so it is still slightly pink on the inside.
Setting Up the Grill
I always recommend grilling with charcoal, as this will add a lot of flavor during the cook. When we think of delicious grilled fish and meats, we think of the flavors from charcoal.
Prepare the grill for direct-heat cooking using approximately 50 Kingsford Charcoal Briquets that you can light in a charcoal chimney starter.
How to Season Swordfish
Simply season the swordfish on all sides with a good amount of Kosher Salt and freshly ground pepper after you give it a nice drizzle of olive oil. The olive oil will not only help the seasoning stick to the filets, but it will also prevent it from sticking to the grill and promote those beautiful grill marks that make all the difference.
Top Tips for Grilling Swordfish
- Don’t overcook it. It is a lean fish that gets tough and dry, just like a steak that has cooked too long.
- Give the grill plenty of time to pre-heat to get that beautiful sear and grill marks.
- Start with a clean grill grate that is lightly oiled right before the fish goes on.
- Grill with the lid open.
- If the steaks are sticking when you try to turn them, then they probably aren’t ready to turn yet.
- Baste the steaks in the quick lemon-butter sauce after you turn them to add even more flavor to the outside of the fish.
- Use an instant-read probe thermometer to verify the internal temperature and avoid overcooking.
Serving Suggestions
Since swordfish is so much like steak; sides that go great with steak, also work great with swordfish. The light flavor of the fish will be great with a simple citrus salad and citrus vinaigrette, delicious grilled fennel, bright green sauteed broccolini, crispy potatoes or a baked potato, which can even be made on the grill.
For this meal, I wanted to grill up some seasonal fennel that has a flavor that really complements the fish. Just slice it lengthwise, drizzle on some olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
Grill it over the direct flame for 3 to 5 minutes per side until it is caramelized and slightly softened and then sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese, lemon juice and olive oil. You can even use the fennel leaves as a beautiful garnish.
Sauces for Grilled Swordfish
- Chimichurri
- Lemon butter sauce
- Grilled Corn Salsa
- Italian Salsa Verde
- Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
Ideas for Leftover Swordfish
If you happen to have some leftover grilled swordfish, you are in luck! It can be even better the next day as the smoky grilled flavor can be deeper and more evident. Serve it as a delicious “Nicoise” Salad, in fish tacos with fresh mango salsa, or even add it to spaghetti instead of ground beef.
Simple Grilled Swordfish
Ingredients
- 4 6 oz Swordfish Steaks (1" to 1 1/2" thick)
- Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper
- 50 Kingsford Charcoal Briquets
Lemon-Butter Basting Sauce
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Marinate the swordfish (optional) with lemon juice, thyme sprigs, peppercorns for 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the swordfish marinates, prepare the charcoal grill for high-heat grilling.
- Brush the fish with oil (if not marinated) and season on all sides with Kosher Salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Grill for 3 to 8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 140° F. The fish should be browned on the outside and still slightly pink on the inside.
Make the sauce in a small pan on the grill
- Melt the butter in a small pan on the grill until it starts to turn golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Move it off the heat and carefully add lemon juice and swirl to combine.
- Once you turn the fish over, begin brushing some of the lemon-butter onto the cooked side as it finishes grilling.
- Serve the swordfish with a drizzle of the lemon-butter, a sprinkle of coarse salt and a lemon slice.
Notes
- Clean grill grates and brush on a little neutral oil right before grilling.
- If the fish needs more time to cook, simply move it to the indirect heat side of the grill and continue to cook covered until the desired temperature is reached.
Thanks to Kingsford Charcoal for sponsoring this recipe!
Instead of the true marinade I used lemon zest one whole lemon. Three cloves garlic about 6 small sprigs of thyme. All finely chopped together. Extra virgin olive oil light. Oil on top bottom and sides. Spread chop on top and bottom. Fresh ground pepper corn and coarse salt together to taste. Let sit 30 minutes. Almost forgot. I used half of the chop in melted butter sauteed in cast iron pan. I had 2 on inch thick steaks. Hot grill direct heat. Held hand over grill counted to ten. Coals ready. 5 minutes each side. (Cooking at 4100′ elevation cold night.) Pulled off ate with baked potato and brocolini. ABSOLUTELY MELT IN YOUR MOUTH FANTASTIC!!! Swordfish was fresh flown in the day it was caught.
This sounds superb, Robert! Exactly what I like to do too. Just fresh ingredients make it so delicious when you have super fresh high-quality fish. Where are you at 4,100ft elevation?
Excellent dish, the swordfish was really good, the flavor was over the top. I have cooked lots of fish using a gas grill, but the flavor you get when using charcoal is much much better . Was surprised on how easy the Kingsford Charcoal Briquets were to ignite. Great recipe!!
Thanks for the feedback, Tim. Totally agree about the flavor that you get from charcoal vs gas. And it is way easier to light than people think. Happy grilling!