Grilled Swordfish Recipe: Quick Spanish Fish Dinner 2026

This grilled swordfish is the kind of Spanish fish dish that proves how little you need to make something memorable. Thick slices of swordfish or emperor fish go onto a hot griddle, get a shower of chopped garlic and parsley, and finish with a few drops of fresh lemon juice. With good extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of flaky salt and a touch of black pepper if you like, success is basically guaranteed.

What makes it work is the contrast: the fish stays juicy and meaty inside while the outside picks up a light golden crust from the plancha. It is ready in under 5 minutes of cooking, which makes it a perfect choice for a midday menu or a fast weeknight dinner. Serve it with a simple lettuce and tomato salad and you have a plate worth ten out of ten.

Ingredients for Grilled Swordfish

This makes 2 servings.

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 bunch of parsley
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 swordfish or emperor fish fillets
• Flaky salt
• Lemon juice
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

How to Make Grilled Swordfish Step by Step

1. Chop the Garlic and Parsley

Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and 1 bunch of parsley into small pieces. Set them aside together, since they go into the pan at the same moment at the end of cooking.

2. Season the Fish

Prepare a griddle, frying pan or grill and brush it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set it over the heat to warm up, and while it heats, sprinkle flaky salt over the 2 swordfish or emperor fish fillets.

3. Cook the Fish on One Side

Cook the fish on one side for about 2 minutes over a well-heated griddle. Leave it undisturbed so it takes on a good golden crust without drying out.

4. Flip and Add Garlic, Parsley and Lemon

Turn the fish fillets over and add the chopped garlic, the parsley and a few drops of lemon juice. Let the fish cook for 2 more minutes, then take the pan off the heat.

5. Serve the Grilled Swordfish Fresh

Serve the grilled swordfish right away with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if you like, extra lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper. As a side, a few lettuce sprouts or a salad of your choice work beautifully.

Tips for the Best Grilled Swordfish

Fresh or Frozen Fish Both Work

If you cannot find fresh swordfish or emperor fish, check the frozen section, since it is often available that way. If you use frozen fish, remember to move it from the freezer to the fridge a day before cooking it.

Keep the Cooking Time Short

Swordfish is lean and firm, so it needs very little time on the heat. About 2 minutes per side over a well-heated griddle keeps it juicy, while longer cooking will dry out the flesh.

Simple Sides Are Best

To enjoy this flavorful fish dish, nothing beats a simple lettuce and tomato salad. It keeps the meal light and lets the garlic, parsley and lemon really stand out.

30 Home-Cooked Recipes I Keep Coming Back To

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything — cozy comfort plates, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luxurious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only something fruity and soothing will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

Tapas and Mediterranean flavors are a constant craving, so I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion begs for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is what I serve.

Come lunch or dinnertime, these are the dishes I hand out to friends most often: a soul-warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. For something more substantial, out comes this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make an effortless appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks alongside a full menu, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and flavor that really pops.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over — whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread I'm putting together for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a favorite of mine when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture pays off, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and unfussy sounds right, I tend to go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for cozier, heartier fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine — among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, golden Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture while saving time. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely gratifying without any gluten.

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