This Is How I Cook

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Abbe Odenwalder
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index from A-Z
    • Breakfast
      • Casseroles
      • Coffee Cake
      • Waffles
    • Starters/Appetizers
    • Main Course
      • Meat
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Sandwiches
      • Seafood and Fish
    • Soup
    • Sauce
    • Side Dishes
      • Potatoes
      • Vegetables
    • Salads
    • Drinks
    • Breads
      • Muffins and Quick Breads
      • Sweet Rolls
    • Snacks
    • Pickles and Preserves
    • Dessert
      • Cake
      • Candy
      • Pie
    • Cookies and Bars
    • Chocolate
    • Asian Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Family Favorites
    • Roundup Recipes
  • Denver & Beyond
    • Denver
    • And Beyond
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Abbe Odenwalder
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index from A-Z
    • Breakfast
      • Casseroles
      • Coffee Cake
      • Waffles
    • Starters/Appetizers
    • Main Course
      • Meat
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Sandwiches
      • Seafood and Fish
    • Soup
    • Sauce
    • Side Dishes
      • Potatoes
      • Vegetables
    • Salads
    • Drinks
    • Breads
      • Muffins and Quick Breads
      • Sweet Rolls
    • Snacks
    • Pickles and Preserves
    • Dessert
      • Cake
      • Candy
      • Pie
    • Cookies and Bars
    • Chocolate
    • Asian Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Family Favorites
    • Roundup Recipes
  • Denver & Beyond
    • Denver
    • And Beyond
×
Home » Main Course » Seafood and Fish

Published: Jun 13, 2022 · Updated: Feb 22, 2024 · May contain affiliate links

Perfect Recipe For Grilled Swordfish with Mayonnaise

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review
Share this recipe!

This perfect recipe for grilled swordfish  with mayonnaise takes a few minutes to prepare. It uses the mayonnaise method to keep the fish moist and flavorful!

Grilled Swordfish with Olives/white bowl this …

Need a recipe for grilled swordfish?

I'm guessing that grilled swordfish may have been the first fish I ever ate.

Growing up in the Midwest limited the amount of seafood I had as a child.

We probably ate walleye and maybe some salmon, and fish sticks, but that was about it until the Jewel came to town and practically shut down my grandfather's grocery.

Primarily we were a meat eating family and that worked well for us, well that is until my father had his first heart attack at the age of 42.

It was blamed on high cholesterol levels which translated back then to eating a lot of beef.

Luckily he was in pretty good shape, but that wake up call helped change our diet.

And that was also about the time that Jewel moved to town so we were able to buy greater varieties of fish.

Swordfish steaks were very popular then I'm guessing, because they are a very meaty fish.

It is thick, rich and steak like, so I am guessing that helped coerce meat lovers into trying it.

grilled swordfish salad

Overfishing of swordfish quickly reduced the catch and fisherman were banned from harvesting them in the 1990's.

The poor, gorgeous Atlantic swordfish needed help.

Well, guess what? Swordfish are back and now being sustainably caught, says the NOAA. 

Whole Foods swordfish is harpoon fished and individually caught off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Whole Foods works with the Marine Stewardship Council, a non profit organization, to make sure the fish we eat conforms to its practices. 

Swordfish isn't inexpensive, but there is very little waste when eating a massive swordfish steak.

Manservant and I each had a half pound steak and it was enough. More than enough.

Swordfish is perfect grilling material in the summer months.

We ate ours on top of a superb salad, but you could easily just grill this and serve it with pasta, rice or potatoes.

You could even put it on a bun and have a super swordfish burger!

Grilled Swordfish/blue napkin/white bowl

The Mayonnaise Trick for Recipe for Grilled Swordfish with Mayonnaise

Following a friend's practice, I like to coat my fish with a mayonnaise mixture which helps prevent the fish from sticking to the grill.

There is no taste of the mayonnaise in the finished product and it's much easier to use than oiling the fish or grill.

The "mayonnaise method" can be applied to any fish that tends to dry out when being roasted or grilled.

This swordfish marinade combines mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon black pepper, lemon zest and oregano.

No added olive oil but remember that mayonnaise is just eggs and olive oil and lemon juice.

It doesn't get much easier than that and that's why this has become one of my favorite recipes.

Be sure to coat the bottom and top and the sides of the swordfish and let the coated swordfish steaks sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours.

Make sure to look for 1-inch-thick steaks and keep in mind that if you don't want to grill you can always make roasted swordfish.

Heat grill to medium high heat and be sure to clean and oil the grill grates.

Cook this recipe for grilled swordfish with mayonnaise for 6 minutes on the first side and then flip and grill the second side for 4 minutes.

Don't overcook or swordfish can become dry.

recipe for grilled swordfish with mayonnaise

Other Ways to Use This Mayonnaise Marinade for Swordfish:

I made a simple lemon balsamic oregano dressing or a dollop of my lemon oregano pesto would taste great, too.

Using some of my favorite ingredients from the olive bar I made a simple kale salad to serve this mild tasting fish on but your favorite greens would work also.

This simple mayonnaise mixture can also be used with tuna steaks, salmon steaks or codfish steaks.

Truthfully it is wonderful for grilling shrimp, too!

If you want to make more of the mayonnaise marinade, throw in a few capers and you have a delicious caper mayonnaise sauce.

Dpn't feel like prepping the vinaigrette or making some extra mayonnaise? A little olive oil drizzled on top of the cooked fish is just perfect.

But if you did make extra mayonnaise, the remaining sauce is great mixed in with leftover cooked swordfish.

Think swordfish salad, not tunafish salad!

Ingredients fo swordfish salad on cuttin board

Serve the hot grilled swordfish steaks with extra lemon wedges.

Yes it gives the cooked fish flavor and also helps keep the fish moist.

Don't like lemon? Lime juice can also be used, but it does change the flavor profile.

Bet you love these examples for grilled swordfish recipes with mayonnaise.

If you do anything though I encourage you to try the mayonnaise method.

Mayonnaise on fish is good and it can also be used on skinless chicken breasts to keep them moist, too.

Works every time!

Grilled Spanish Swordfish Salad

Other recipes to try:

Swordfish recipes from Whole Foods

Miso Peppered Tuna

sesame peppered tuna steaks on blue rimmed plate

Tartar Sauce

Irish Fish Cakes with Tartar Sauce

This is an updated post from 2015.  

Print

Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Grilled Swordfish with Olives/white bowl

Perfect Grilled Swordfish

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 10 Minutes*
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This grilled swordfish with a lemon pepper oregano marinade is easy to fix and a family pleaser!


Ingredients

Units Scale

3 T mayonnaise
½ a lemon, zested
1 t dried oregano
½ t freshly ground black pepper
1 lb swordfish steaks

½ a pint of your favorite olive mixture from the olive bar

For the salad:

Lemon Balsamic Oregano Dressing
⅛ c Sicilian lemon white balsamic vinegar or just use plain balsamic
1 t honey
½ t oregano
¼ t salt
½ t pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes and the goop from the olive mixture above
¼ c of olive oil

Salad:

1 bag of chopped baby kale

Several slices of thin sliced red onions,

⅓ c salted Marcona almonds

3 chopped dates

6 slices of paper thin Spanish style chorizo from Boars Head,

⅔ c goats cheese, though I think a few slices of Manchego would have worked better

4 chopped cippolini onions, also found on the olive bar

4 caper berries for garnish


Instructions

Combine mayonnaise, zest from half a lemon, oregano and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk well and coat swordfish steaks with mixture. Set aside, refrigerated for a minimum of two hours.

When ready to grill, heat grill to medium high heat and bring steaks to room temperature. Place steaks on grill and grill for 6 minutes on one side. Flip and grill for about 4 minutes on the other.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish. Ours were about one inch thick. If you think they are close to being cooked, feel free to remove from grill and cover with foil. The retained heat will finish cooking them and then you won't have to worry about overdone fish. There is nothing worse than overcooking fish. It becomes dry and tasteless.

Remove from grill and top with your favorite sliced olive mixture. Our Whole Foods had a savory sweet combo that contained olives and cranberries, raisins and almonds. Perfect for showing off this fish!

NOW: If you want to serve this over a salad, please continue:

Combine all ingredients for the dressing in a jar and shake to emulsify before using.

Combine Salad ingredients in a large bowl or divide between two plates.

Place grilled swordfish on greens and drizzle with vinaigrette.


Notes

*Does not include marinade time.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @this_is_how_i_cook on Instagram and hashtag it #thisishowicook

 

 

 

Share this recipe!

More Main Course

  • grilled banana pepper chicken on white plate with red check na[kin
    Grilled Jerk Chicken With Banana Peppers
  • boeuf bourguignon white plate with fork
    One Great Boeuf Bourguignon Recipe
  • french onion chicken in skillet
    Baked French Chicken Onion Soup Recipe
  • black bowl with pumpkn pasta sauce with sausage
    Dreamy Creamy Pumpkin Sauce with Pasta

Comments

    I Love Comments! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Rose-Marie says

    August 05, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    My favorite seafood is scallops. I love the scallops at Whole Foods, not treated with sodium tripolyphosphates

    Reply
  2. La Table De Nana says

    July 29, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Not entering..no WF here..and I AM a subscriber..your posts never get to me..
    THis LOOKS AMAZING..
    Lover of olives here.And dates..and cheese..etc♥

    Reply
  3. SavoringTime in the Kitchen says

    July 29, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    I'm so happy that there are sustainably caught swordfish on the market! I don't often think of swordfish when we have fish on the grill but this preparation we would love and something to add the the fish rotation. I'll have to keep if off the menu when we have our daughter, who is pregnant, for dinner as it does container higher mercury levels like albacore tuna. But I love the texture and taste.

    Reply
  4. Sandra K321 says

    July 27, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    I just started following via facebook, but I also follow via Bloglovin but I don't know if that counts for being a subscriber or following.

    Reply
  5. Sandra K321 says

    July 27, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    My favorite is salmon broiled with a glaze of orange marmalade, butter, and macademia liquor.

    Reply
  6. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    I follow you on instagram where I am @margotcore; You could follow me too:
    https://instagram.com/margotcore/
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  7. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    I follow you on Twitter where I am @AnnaZed.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  8. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    I follow you on Facebook where I am Margot Core.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  9. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    (I hope that I am doing this right!)
    I follow you on Pinterest where I am margotcore; You could follow me too: http://pinterest.com/margotcore/
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  10. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    I subscribe now!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      July 28, 2015 at 4:12 am

      Thanks Anna and you are doing great!

      Reply
  11. AnnaZed says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    I'm from New Orleans so I have many, many favorite seafoods; top of the list - Trout Almondine like they made at the now vanished Pontchartrain Hotel. Here's the recipe: http://www.nola.com/food/index.ssf/2013/11/in_judys_kitchen_chris_debarrs.html When I was a kid this was a very popular Lenten meal. Though it is a sainted New Orleans classic I now I make it with substantially less butter than Chris DeBarr calls for!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply
  12. Amy says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Following on pinterest (michaelsamy)

    Reply
  13. Amy says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    I love all seafood - shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, mussels, squid... mmmmmmm!

    Reply
  14. Sippity Sup says

    July 26, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    I love swordfish and agree it was a staple before fish was even a staple! I'll be in Denver (airport) for a couple hours later this afternoon. Save me a bite. GREG

    Reply
  15. Cheri Savory Spoon says

    July 26, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Hi Abbe, salmon is my favorite fish, your dish looks so flavorful. Take care!

    Reply
  16. Tracy R says

    July 26, 2015 at 9:26 am

    I follow you on Facebook as Tracy Robertson

    Reply
  17. Tracy R says

    July 26, 2015 at 9:25 am

    I subscribe to This Is How I cook.

    Reply
  18. Tracy R says

    July 26, 2015 at 9:24 am

    I am not much of a seafood fan but I do want to try swordfish! I've never had it before but just a couple of months ago someone was telling me that swordfish has a texture similar to chicken and doesn't have much of a "fishy taste". Fish is so nutritious, that it would be great to have some that seems "similar to chicken".

    Reply
  19. dedy oktavianus says

    July 26, 2015 at 4:53 am

    SImply damn delicious!!!
    Dedy@Dentist Chef

    Reply
  20. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    July 25, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    Abbe this is a wonderful recipe and the colors are gorgeous! I love that you added olives - that is simply brilliant!

    Reply
  21. Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says

    July 25, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Looks like I need to get over to Whole Foods and get some swordfish. It's one that I have good luck with. Great looking meal and thanks for the tip on that wine.

    Reply
  22. Elle says

    July 25, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    I follow on Pinterest

    Reply
  23. Elle says

    July 25, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    I like salmon the best.

    Reply
  24. Stephanie says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Follow on twitter @stephanienola

    Reply
  25. Stephanie says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Subscribe by email. steph 0828 at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  26. Stephanie says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    I really like tuna, especially in sushi.

    Reply
  27. Bam's Kitchen says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Abbe beautiful photography of your delicious fish dish. I love swordfish but that fish is not sold here in HK unless it is shipped internationally. However, I love the steak like feel of swordfish and my boys love it too they don't even think its fish because of its awesome texture. Wishing you a super weekend!

    Reply
  28. Ali says

    July 24, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    follow on twitter @sockmonkeydiva

    Reply
  29. Ali says

    July 24, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Subscribe by email

    Reply
  30. Ali says

    July 24, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    My favorite seafood is scallops...seared!

    Reply
  31. Seyma Bennett Shabbir says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Pinterest follow seymas
    [email protected]

    Reply
  32. Seyma Bennett Shabbir says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:07 am

    email subs 2
    [email protected]

    Reply
  33. Seyma Bennett Shabbir says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:07 am

    email subsc 1
    [email protected]

    Reply
  34. Seyma Bennett Shabbir says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:07 am

    I love Salmon!
    [email protected]

    Reply
  35. Rose-Marie says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    I'm already subscribed to your yummy blog!!!

    Reply
  36. Rose-Marie says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    I'm already following you on Pinterest!!!

    Reply
  37. Rose-Marie says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    I love scallops!!! I love whole food's because they don't use tripolyphosphates or other chemicals and they are real scallops!! delish!

    Reply
  38. traveler says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    What a delectable meal. bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  39. traveler says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    I made a berry tart for July 4th.

    Reply
  40. traveler says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    I love salmon.

    Reply
  41. traveler says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Email subscriber.

    Reply
  42. Denise Morse says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    I like shrimp best of all but am starting to eat more fish like salmon

    Reply
  43. AnnaZed says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    That is so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      July 28, 2015 at 3:48 am

      Thanks Anna!

      Reply
  44. Adam J. Holland says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I'm not here for the contest, but I do subscribe (not only to your website but to your way of eating). Also, this is a beautifully executed dish, Abbe! Wow!

    Reply
  45. HS says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Follow on Pinterest.

    Reply
  46. HS says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I subscribe.

    Reply
  47. HS says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I love shrimp.

    Reply
  48. Anna and Liz Recipes says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Oh Abbe this looks delicious! Love the lemon and olives with the sword fish- I can practically taste it!
    I already an subscribed!

    Reply
  49. Unknown says

    July 24, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    I followed on FB (Judith Rontal)

    Reply
  50. Unknown says

    July 24, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    I love salmon!

    - Judith

    Reply
  51. Holly @ abakershouse.com says

    July 24, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    This looks like the perfect summer meal. I don't often buy swordfish but am going to give it a try this summer and along with the Fog Theory wine I'll have a wonderful meal.

    Reply
  52. latanya t says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    pinterest follower

    Reply
  53. latanya t says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    email subscriber -2

    Reply
  54. latanya t says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    email subscriber

    Reply
  55. latanya t says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    I like pan seared tilapia

    Reply
  56. Liz Berg says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    Look like a fabulous recipe. I've finally gotten Bill to enjoy halibut. Swordfish is next on my list 🙂 My favorite seafood is salmon.
    P.S. Heading for Denver with the family a week from Saturday, but we're splitting our time between there and Aspen. I hope we can get together on my next solo visit!

    Reply
  57. DeniseL says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I follow on pinterest.com as deniseleb.

    Reply
  58. DeniseL says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I'm a subscriber!

    Reply
  59. DeniseL says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    Fish is one of my favorite things to buy at Whole Foods. I love everything except catfish and raw oysters. My favorite is probably a toss up between crappie and lobster. How's that for a dichotomy?

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      July 28, 2015 at 3:45 am

      Now that is a new one for me. I must admit to never having eaten crappie though many of my friends used to catch it in the Kankakee River!

      Reply
  60. Kitchen Riffs says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:41 am

    I think you're right that so many people who don't otherwise like swordfish like (or at least tolerate it) because of its meaty texture. It's a fish I certainly love, although don't buy it that often. You're right about it being good at Whole Foods -- one of my favorite places to buy it (and my regular fish monger is someone who also wholesales to most of the better restaurants in town). Anyway, good post -- thanks.

    Reply
  61. jacquie astemborski says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:20 am

    already a subscriber

    Reply
  62. jacquie astemborski says

    July 24, 2015 at 3:20 am

    i'm a vegetarian so no favorite fish/seafood dish

    Reply
  63. Angie Schneider says

    July 24, 2015 at 2:36 am

    It looks almost just like pork chop, but only BETTER! Love that awesome salad too, Abbe.

    Reply
  64. VP22 says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:58 am

    My favorite 4th of July dessert is Oreo Ice Cream Pie.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  65. Karen Harris says

    July 24, 2015 at 1:40 am

    Swordfish is one of the few types of fish that I actually enjoy. Yours looks amazing.

    Reply
  66. Katie Fought says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:58 am

    I followed you on Pinterest. GLuten Free Katie

    Reply
  67. Katie Fought says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:53 am

    I subscribed. [email protected]

    Reply
  68. Katie Fought says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:52 am

    I made a Blackberry Cheesecake for the 4th this year! It was delicious!

    Reply
Abbe Odenwalder - The Great American Recipe Season 2

Welcome!

You may have spotted me on Season 2 of the PBS series “The Great American Recipe.” Being part of a group labeled “the best home cooks in America” is a lot to live up to, but I’m up for the challenge! I'm glad you are here and hope I can set a place for you at my table!

More about me

Popular Posts

  • Lots of Cheese QuesadillasCrispy Mini Cheese Quesadillas - Easy Party Recipe January 22, 2020
  • New Mexican Green ChileEasy Green Chile New Mexican Style October 23, 2019
  • Pepperidge Farm stuffingDelicious and Easy Pepperidge Farm Stuffing November 19, 2019
  • Cornbread Blueberry Bread PuddingEasy Cornbread Bread Pudding with Blueberries February 13, 2020
  • Peruvian Green SauceAmazing Peruvian Green Sauce January 7, 2021

Footer

↑ back to top

Notices

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2011-2025 This is How I Cook. All Rights Reserved.