10 Juicy Grilled Swordfish Recipes That Will Upgrade Your BBQ Game
Summer grilling season calls for something special, and swordfish delivers with its meaty texture and mild flavor. These thick, juicy steaks handle high heat beautifully and absorb marinades like a dream.
From simple herb preparations to exotic glazes and stuffed varieties, these recipes transform ordinary weeknight dinners into restaurant-quality meals that’ll impress your family and friends.
01. Grilled Swordfish with Tomato Bruschetta Topping
Charred bread and fresh tomatoes create the perfect topping for grilled swordfish steaks. This combination brings together the best of Italian flavors with perfectly cooked fish.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, 4 thick bread slices, 3 large tomatoes diced, 3 garlic cloves minced, ¼ cup fresh basil chopped, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Grilled Swordfish with Tomato Bruschetta Topping
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. Season swordfish steaks generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil for even browning.
2. Combine diced tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, remaining olive oil, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then let it sit at room temperature to develop flavors.
3. Grill bread slices for 2-3 minutes per side until nice char marks appear and edges are crispy. The slight bitterness from charring actually enhances the tomato sweetness beautifully.
4. Grill swordfish steaks for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145°F and fish flakes easily. Top each steak with the tomato mixture and serve alongside the grilled bread for a complete meal.
02. Spicy Marinated Swordfish Steaks
This zesty marinade combines cayenne, hot sauce, ginger, and lime for a flavor-packed kick. The tangy heat perfectly complements swordfish’s mild taste.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ¼ cup lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce, 2 garlic cloves minced, salt to taste.
How To Make Spicy Marinated Swordfish Steaks
1. Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, grated ginger, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and minced garlic in a shallow dish. This marinade packs serious heat, so adjust the cayenne to your preference.
2. Add swordfish steaks to the marinade, turning to coat both sides completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though 4 hours gives you even better flavor penetration throughout the fish.
3. Remove fish from marinade 15 minutes before grilling to bring to room temperature. Reserve the leftover marinade for basting during cooking, which adds extra layers of spicy flavor.
4. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, basting with reserved marinade halfway through. The fish is done when it reaches 145°F internally and has beautiful grill marks.
5. Let the steaks rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, keeping your fish incredibly moist and flavorful.
03. Wine and Herb Marinated Swordfish
Simple elegance defines this classic preparation with white wine, lemon, and soy sauce. The longer marination time creates incredibly flavorful and tender results.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ½ cup dry white wine, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves minced.
How To Make Wine and Herb Marinated Swordfish
1. Combine white wine, lemon juice, soy sauce, poultry seasoning, olive oil, and minced garlic in a large resealable bag. Mix thoroughly to ensure all flavors are well distributed throughout the marinade.
2. Add swordfish steaks to the bag, seal tightly, and massage gently to coat all surfaces. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, turning the bag occasionally for even flavor distribution.
3. Remove fish from marinade and pat dry with paper towels, which helps achieve better searing and prevents flare-ups on the grill. Discard used marinade for food safety.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high and cook steaks for 5-6 minutes per side until fish flakes easily with a fork. The wine creates beautiful caramelization while keeping the fish incredibly tender.
5. Rest for 2 minutes before serving to lock in all those amazing flavors and ensure perfectly moist fish every single time.
04. Chili-Glazed Swordfish with Cool Cucumber Sauce
Spicy chili glaze meets refreshing cucumber sauce in this perfectly balanced dish. The cool sauce provides excellent contrast to the heat from the fish.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, 3 tablespoons chili sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 large cucumber peeled and diced, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt and pepper.
How To Make Chili-Glazed Swordfish with Cool Cucumber Sauce
1. Mix chili sauce and honey in a small bowl to create your glaze, adjusting sweetness to balance the heat level you prefer. This combination caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
2. For the cucumber sauce, combine diced cucumber, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then refrigerate to let flavors meld together.
3. Season swordfish steaks with salt and pepper, then brush both sides generously with the chili-honey glaze. Let them sit for 10 minutes to absorb those flavors.
4. Grill over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, basting with additional glaze during cooking. The honey will caramelize and create a beautiful glossy finish.
5. Serve immediately topped with the cool cucumber sauce, which provides the perfect refreshing contrast to the spicy, sweet glaze on the fish.
05. Simply Seasoned Swordfish
Sometimes the best approach is the simplest one, letting swordfish’s natural flavor shine through. Lemon, pepper, and dill create the perfect light seasoning blend.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning, 1 tablespoon dried dill weed, 1 teaspoon salt.
How To Make Simply Seasoned Swordfish
1. Pat swordfish steaks completely dry with paper towels, which helps the seasonings stick better and ensures proper searing on the grill for maximum flavor development.
2. Brush both sides of each steak with fresh lemon juice and olive oil, creating a base that helps the dry seasonings adhere while adding moisture during cooking.
3. Combine lemon pepper seasoning, dried dill, and salt in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over both sides of the fish. Press gently to help seasonings stick.
4. Let seasoned steaks rest at room temperature for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to penetrate the fish while it comes to proper cooking temperature.
5. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until fish reaches 145°F internally. The simple seasonings enhance rather than mask the swordfish’s natural taste.
06. Asian Orange Glazed Swordfish
Fresh orange juice, ginger, and sesame oil create an innovative glaze with minimal prep time. This fusion approach brings exciting new flavors to your grilling routine.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ½ cup fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 green onions sliced.
How To Make Asian Orange Glazed Swordfish
1. Whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, and honey in a bowl until completely smooth. This glaze comes together in under 5 minutes but delivers complex flavors.
2. Reserve half the glaze for serving, then use the remaining half to brush over swordfish steaks. Let them marinate for 20 minutes while your grill preheats to medium-high.
3. Grill steaks for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with glaze every 2 minutes to build up layers of flavor and create a beautiful caramelized coating.
4. During the last minute of cooking, brush with reserved fresh glaze and sprinkle with sliced green onions for color and fresh onion bite that complements the sweet glaze perfectly.
07. Tropical Swordfish with Citrus Fruit Salsa
Fresh mango, pineapple, and orange create a vibrant salsa that pairs beautifully with mild swordfish. This colorful dish brings tropical vacation vibes to your dinner table.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, 1 mango diced, 1 cup pineapple diced, 1 orange peeled and diced, 1 jalapeño minced, ½ red bell pepper diced, ¼ cup cilantro chopped, 2 tablespoons lime juice, salt.
How To Make Tropical Swordfish with Citrus Fruit Salsa
1. Combine diced mango, pineapple, orange, minced jalapeño, bell pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl. The key is cutting everything into similar-sized pieces for the best texture and appearance.
2. Add lime juice and a pinch of salt to the fruit mixture, stirring gently to combine. Let the salsa sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully together.
3. Season swordfish steaks with salt and pepper, then brush lightly with oil. The fish should be simply prepared to let the vibrant salsa be the star of this dish.
4. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until fish flakes easily and reaches 145°F internally, creating perfect grill marks for an attractive presentation.
5. Serve each steak topped generously with the fresh fruit salsa, and consider adding jasmine rice on the side to complete this tropical-inspired meal perfectly.
08. Double Rosemary Swordfish
Fresh rosemary appears in both the marinade and finishing sauce for maximum herb impact. The longer marination time allows the aromatic flavors to penetrate deeply.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped, 3 garlic cloves minced, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons white wine, salt and pepper.
How To Make Double Rosemary Swordfish
1. Reserve 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary for the finishing sauce, then combine remaining rosemary with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice for the marinade.
2. Marinate swordfish steaks in this mixture for at least 4 hours, though overnight gives you the most intense rosemary flavor throughout every bite of the fish.
3. For the finishing sauce, combine reserved rosemary, remaining garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. This fresh sauce brightens the final dish beautifully.
4. Remove fish from marinade and grill over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through, letting the rosemary create aromatic smoke that enhances the herb flavor.
5. Drizzle each steak with the fresh rosemary sauce just before serving, creating layers of herb flavor that complement rather than overwhelm the fish.
09. Teriyaki Garlic Swordfish
Store-bought teriyaki sauce gets elevated with garlic powder for quick weeknight success. This proves that simple ingredients can create incredibly satisfying results.
Ingredients: 4 swordfish steaks, ½ cup teriyaki sauce, 3 tablespoons butter melted, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, 2 green onions sliced, salt and pepper.
How To Make Teriyaki Garlic Swordfish
1. Mix teriyaki sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder in a bowl until completely smooth. This combination creates a rich glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
2. Season swordfish steaks with salt and pepper, then brush both sides with half the teriyaki mixture. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting during cooking.
3. Grill over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, basting with reserved sauce every 2 minutes to build up multiple layers of sweet, savory flavor.
4. During the final minute, sprinkle sesame seeds over the steaks and let them toast slightly on the grill, adding a nutty crunch that complements the sweet glaze perfectly.
5. Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving for fresh color and mild onion flavor that cuts through the richness of the teriyaki beautifully.
10. Mediterranean Feta-Stuffed Swordfish
Creamy feta and spinach filling transforms simple swordfish steaks into an elegant stuffed entrée. This impressive presentation is easier to make than it looks.
Ingredients: 4 thick swordfish steaks, 1 cup feta cheese crumbled, 2 cups spinach chopped, 3 garlic cloves minced, ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt and pepper.
How To Make Mediterranean Feta-Stuffed Swordfish
1. Create a pocket in each swordfish steak by cutting horizontally through the middle, leaving about ½ inch uncut on three sides. This creates the perfect space for your flavorful stuffing.
2. Combine crumbled feta, chopped spinach, minced garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly without breaking up the cheese too much.
3. Stuff each pocket generously with the feta mixture, then secure with toothpicks to prevent filling from falling out during grilling. Don’t overstuff or the pockets might burst open.
4. Brush outsides of stuffed steaks with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. The oil helps prevent sticking while adding flavor to the fish exterior.
5. Grill over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side, being gentle when flipping to keep stuffing intact. Cook until fish reaches 145°F and filling is heated through completely.
6. Remove toothpicks carefully before serving, and consider adding artichokes or capers to the filling for extra Mediterranean flair that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
These swordfish recipes prove that grilling doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. From simple seasonings to elaborate stuffed preparations, there’s something here for every skill level and taste preference.
Fire up your grill and start experimenting with these flavorful combinations. Your summer dinner table will never be boring again with these restaurant-quality swordfish dishes.
