Sun-Kissed Mediterranean Swordfish: A Zesty Citrus Grilled Delight

Grilled Mediterranean Swordfish Recipe With Citrus Marinade

Introduction

With its meaty texture and delicate, clean flavor, swordfish is the star of many Mediterranean feasts. This Grilled Mediterranean Swordfish Recipe With Citrus Marinade combines the brightness of fresh citrus, savory herbs, and olive oil to create a dish that’s both vibrant and deeply satisfying. It’s a crowd-pleaser—quick enough for a weeknight dinner, impressive enough for entertaining, and loaded with zesty flavors that capture the essence of coastal Mediterranean cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Swordfish

This recipe delivers restaurant-quality grilled swordfish with minimal effort. The citrus marinade not only accents the mild, buttery taste of swordfish but also keeps it wonderfully moist on the grill. Paired with Mediterranean herbs, hints of garlic, and a pop of lemon, lime, and orange, each bite feels like a mini-vacation by the sea.

The Secret to a Perfect Citrus Marinade

A winning marinade starts with a blend of fresh lemon, orange, and lime juices that tenderize the fish and infuse it with flavor. Olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, and parsley round out the mix, enhancing the swordfish while keeping it healthy and light. Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes—just long enough for the flavors to permeate, but not so long that the acid starts to “cook” the fish.

Grilling Mediterranean Swordfish to Perfection

The key to juicy swordfish is not overcooking it. Aim for a hot grill, lightly oiled grates, and about 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. You’re looking for those gorgeous grill marks and just-cooked-through flesh that flakes easily but is still moist in the center.

Serving Suggestions for Mediterranean Swordfish

Present your swordfish with a drizzle of the reserved marinade, a scattering of fresh herbs, and a few extra lemon wedges. Pair with sides like grilled vegetables, orzo with herbs, or a crisp Greek salad. For a full Mediterranean experience, add a dollop of tzatziki and a warm loaf of crusty bread.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and each portion (about 6 ounces of swordfish, including marinade) offers approximately 240 calories, 32g protein, and plenty of omega-3s. It’s a wholesome main dish that fits beautifully into a balanced meal plan.

Grilled Mediterranean Swordfish Recipe With Citrus Marinade (Recap)

Bright, fresh, and full of bold Mediterranean flavors, this swordfish recipe brings a sun-kissed flair to your table—perfect for a healthy family dinner or summer gathering.

Ingredients

4 swordfish steaks (about 6 ounces each, 1-inch thick)
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Zest and juice of 1 small orange
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional: Lemon and lime wedges for serving

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon, lime, and orange zest and juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Place swordfish steaks in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the fish, making sure each steak is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour (not longer to avoid “cooking” the fish in acid).
  3. Preheat your grill to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates.
  4. Remove swordfish from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Set aside a couple of tablespoons of marinade for drizzling (do not reuse marinade that’s been in contact with raw fish).
  5. Grill the swordfish steaks for about 4–5 minutes per side, turning once, until grill marks appear and the inside is just opaque.
  6. Transfer to a platter. Drizzle with reserved marinade and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Grilled Mediterranean Swordfish fits seamlessly into your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to organize a week of flavorful meals—and let CookifyAI build your smart shopping list, factoring in all your planned dishes for a streamlined grocery run.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically tallies total ingredient quantities across all scheduled recipes
  • Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section for time-saving trips
  • Helps prevent duplicate purchases and forgotten items
  • Makes weeknight dinners effortless and well-coordinated

Pro tip: When you schedule all your weekly meals, CookifyAI consolidates shared ingredients (like olive oil or herbs), so you buy exactly what you need—cutting down on food waste and saving you money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30–60 minutes marinating)
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating)

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