Summary: Among all the unique sea fishes, there’s the swordfish. But, very few are aware of its taste, smell, texture, and color. This is why we are here today. We will cover everything about a swordfish that you need to know before giving it a try.
Author bio: Natalia Teague is a food critic and writer who has been serving the food industry for the last decade. She writes for numerous cooking blogs and comes with a passion for curating fine dining recipes that can easily be cooked at home.
If you call yourself a seafood lover, then you need to taste the various kinds of fish that have unique tastes, smells, and textures. The same is true when it comes to swordfish. It is certainly no exception. It is known as one of the tastiest fishes available as seafood today as seafood due to its excellent flavor. But, if you haven’t joined the game yet, you need to give it a try. If you want to know what does swordfish taste like so that you can be well aware of the taste of swordfish before trying it, then you have come to the right place.
Does swordfish taste fishy? No, it does not! It has a slightly sweet and mild taste. It does not have that fishy taste observed in other fishes. It also comes with a texture that people consider to be equivalent to beef steak. But, there is much more to know when it comes to the overall taste and flavor of this fish. Read on to find the unraveling secrets about swordfish.
What is a Swordfish?
A swordfish is a unique kind of fish characterized by a pointed, flat, and long snout. It is similar to a traditional sword and that is why it’s named. Swordfish taste a bit mild and it is mainly found in the Atlantic Indian and Pacific Ocean.
Unlike the narrow snout, the body of the fish is more on the broad and round side. This makes the fish fleshy and dense. People from all over the world use this fish widely in their dishes.
What Does it Taste Like?
The overall flavor of this fish is based on numerous elements like texture, smell, and taste. All of these beautifully combine to provide you with a delicious Swordfish dish.
Basic Taste of a Swordfish
The basic taste of this fish depends on the way you prepare it and the seasonings you use. However, for the most part, this fish does come with a standard taste. It has a mild sweet taste that makes it delicious. It also lacks a fishy odor. Therefore, this fish is ideal for people who do not like the overpowering taste of a fish. The taste of swordfish is much milder when you compare it with other fish varieties.
The smell of a Swordfish
It comes with a pleasant smell of clean and fresh fish. But, you might think that anything that smells fishy cannot be nice or pleasant. But, this is not true. If you get a fresh swordfish, it will smell like the ocean. But if it becomes stale, it is going to smell like a Rotten fish.
The texture of the fish
After knowing the taste of swordfish, it’s time to know about its texture. The texture of this fish is one of the best out there among all kinds of seafood. It has a round and elongated shape that makes it very dense and fleshy. When you are preparing any dish with this fish, you may notice that the meat feels thick and heavy.
You may compare it to any pelagic oily fish. Therefore, the oil content of this fish is around 30% within its fillet. The enhanced oil content makes it richer and heavier in texture. Moreover, this fish comes with a rich texture and it is usually cooked like a beefsteak. You may have to use a knife initially to cut the fish into smaller pieces. You do not have to consume it like other fishes because they are light and flaky.
Colour of a Swordfish
The color of it determines whether you have prepared it properly. It comes with a huge impact on the overall taste too. The raw meat of the fish is usually pinkish-orange or white. But, after you cook it, it turns to a shade of beige.
Cooking the Swordfish
There are different cooking methods that you can use to change in texture and taste of this fish. Grilling is one of the most common ways of cooking it. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the grill to medium flame.
- Make sure to wash the swordfish and tenderly marinade it with whatever seasonings or sauces you prefer.
- Slice the fish into small cubes and arrange them on skewers.
- Now, you need to oil the grill and grates and put the swordfish on them. Put some liquid butter and allow it to grill for approx 5-6 minutes.
- Remove it after it has a beige color.
Seasonings That Go Well With Swordfish
If you wonder what swordfish taste like with seasonings, keep reading this section. Fresh and tender swordfish is going to taste delicious on its own or if you add a sprinkle of salt and pepper with a slight coating of olive oil. To provide it with some additional depth of taste, you can always try it with some of the following spices and herbs below:
- Basil
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Mint
- Chilli
- Salt and Pepper
Side Dishes That Go Well With it
Swordfish goes the best with various flavors. Therefore, to know more about swordfish taste, you can always choose to be creative when it comes to your side dishes. Make sure to not use flavor-packed dishes as sides. They are going to overwhelm the mild-flavored fish. Instead, try any of these:
- Grilled Vegetables
- Coleslaw
- Raw Greens
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Cauliflower Cheese
These are all you need to know about what does swordfish taste like. Next, you are up for some seafood, make sure to give this fish a try. We have also shared a grilling recipe that can help you easily get along with your first experience with it.
