Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

a perfect combination of oily fish and pickled gooseberries

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 30m
Cook Time: 40m
Total Time: 3h 10m
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (14 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For the pickled gooseberry ketchup

Nutritional Information

543
calories
38g
fat
15g
carbohydrates
33g
protein
2g
fiber
14g
sugar
Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

Recipe Description

This Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup is a dish I like to make as an appetizer when I have guests for dinner. It’s a fresh combination of ingredients and flavors and the pickled gooseberries cut through the oiliness of the mackerel deliciously! If I’m cooking this for a crowd, I make the gooseberry pickle the day before to ensure it has a nice strong pickle flavor.   

There is a bit of effort involved in making the gooseberry ketchup as it needs to be done in stages. But it is worth it as this is a really impressive looking dish when you bring it to the table. 

To make my Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Pickle the gooseberries

    13 min
    Step 1 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry KetchupStep 1 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    In a small pot, bring the vinegar, sugar, sea salt, juniper berries, mustard seeds, peppercorns, bay leaf and water to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for about 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat off and leave the mixture to rest - the flavors need about 10 minutes to infuse.

  2. 2

    Place the gooseberries in a jar

    2h
    Step 2 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Put the gooseberries in a sterilized jar with the cucumber and the bay leaf from the pot. Pour in the entire pickling mixture. Cover tightly with a lid and leave for at least two hours. The longer you leave this, the stronger pickle flavor you’ll get.

  3. 3

    Prepare the mackerel

    2 min
    Step 3 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Cut each mackerel fillet into three pieces across the grain. Place the mackerel pieces on a plate with the skin-side down. Season the flesh with a sprinkle of sea salt. Allow to rest and come to room temperature.

  4. 4

    Drain the gooseberries and cucumber

    2 min
    Step 4 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Drain the gooseberries and cucumber, but reserve the pickling liquid. Set the cucumber to one side and reserve a handful of the gooseberries.

  5. 5

    Finish the ketchup

    3 min
    Step 5 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry KetchupStep 5 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry KetchupStep 5 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    In a pan, heat the olive oil and fennel seeds. Stir in the onion, apple, garlic and chilli. Season to taste and cook gently until the onion is soft and aromatic. Slice the pickled gooseberries. Add them to the onion and apple mix, with the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the pickling liquid.

  6. 6

    Cook

    10 min
    Step 6 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Allow to cook while stirring until the gooseberries break down and the liquid has been absorbed. This should take about 10 mins. Check the seasoning and add more salt if necessary.

  7. 7

    Blend and mix with yogurt

    2 min
    Step 7 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry KetchupStep 7 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Place the gooseberry mixture in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Leave to cool, then stir the ketchup through the yogurt.

  8. 8

    Heat the grill

    5 min
    Step 8 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Preheat the grill to the highest heat.

  9. 9

    Grill the fish

    3 min
    Step 9 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Place the mackerel in the pickling juices for a minute or two. Remove grill skin-side up for 2-4 mins. The flesh should be just cooked through – opaque as opposed to dry and flaking.

  10. 10

    Serve

    Step 10 - Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup

    Divide the ketchup between your serving plates. Top with the pickled cucumber and gooseberries. Place the mackerel on top. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs.

This Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup is a perfect combination of oily mackerel and pickled gooseberries. Try it for your next dinner party and don’t forget to tag #cookmerecipes in your pics.

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Sam
January 5, 2025
Verified

I made the Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup for my wife and friends last weekend. The flavors are fresh and the pickle really balances the richness of the mackerel. I prepped the gooseberry ketchup a day ahead, and it was a hit! Everyone loved it.

Wendy Collins
November 10, 2023
Verified

I am so proud of how my Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup turned out. Making the ketchup was a bit of a project, but wow, it paid off. My friends were super impressed, and I felt like a pro chef. The flavors are simply amazing together. This is definitely a keeper for dinner parties.

Yasmine
November 6, 2023
Verified

Easy to make and impresses every time with friends.

Sabrina
October 12, 2023
Verified

Incroyable!

Xena Parker
October 1, 2023
Verified

OMG this Grilled Mackerel was a hit at our dinner party! The pickled gooseberry ketchup adds such a unique twist that my guests were raving about it. I prepped the pickle the night before, and it turned out perfect. It looked so fancy on the table, you’d think I was a pro chef or somethin. Def gonna make this again for sure.

Claire
October 1, 2023
Verified

I recently tried the Grilled Mackerel with Pickled Gooseberry Ketchup and I must say, it's a superb dish. I made it for a small gathering and everyone was impressed. The flavors are fresh and the pickled gooseberries really balance the mackerel. I’ll definitely make this again for my next dinner party.

Mark
May 25, 2023
Verified

This dish is superb. I made it for friends last weekend, and they loved it. The flavors are amazing.

Ursula Morgan
April 3, 2023
Verified

Superb dish experience!

Olive
May 10, 2022
Verified

Simply delicious dish!

Dave
May 22, 2020
Verified

Super tasty dish!

Diane Smith
February 9, 2020
Verified

Fantastic!

Catherine
December 24, 2019
Verified

I made this for friends and wow, it wowed them! The combo is just fab. Totally winning!

Sammy Cooke
August 31, 2019
Verified

So tasty, mate!

Athina
July 28, 2019
Verified

Delicious! Thanks for sharing recipe!

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