Mackerel

Mackerel is an oily, meaty fish caught off the Atlantic and California coasts. The fish is quite perishable due to its oil content so it is frequently sold canned as well as fresh and smoked.

Fresh mackerel can be baked, grilled or sauteed. Use the canned product for fish cakes. Smoked mackerel is used in fish cakes, pates, as well as in numerous potato dishes.

Substitute For Mackerel

If you don't have mackerel, you can substitute equal amounts of one of these fish:

• Herring makes a good substitute for mackerel. It can be grilled, fried, or even pickled.  Herring does have a lot of bones to deal with.
• OR - You can use American shad which are best poached or smoked.  This fish is related to herring and is also bony.
• OR - Use bluefish if you can find it.  It is very perishable so this may be hard for you to find outside of the east and southeast coasts.
• OR - Alternately use another oily fish such as swordfish or tuna.  Both are very "meaty".