Introduction
Did you know that a marlin can be eaten? Perhaps you’ve seen marlin on a menu before. Globally, marlin is considered to be an extremely healthy and delicious fish.
What is a Marlin?
There are quite a few kinds of large game fish, including marlin. Among its features are a longer body, fins, a tail, a head and a nose. It belongs to the family Istiophoridae. Generally, predatory marlins inhabit warm and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean, and inhabit depths of 915 meters (3,002 feet). Crustaceans, squid, and smaller fish are their main foods.
In terms of size, a marlin can reach a maximum length of 4.65 meters and reach a weight of 750 kilograms. Anglers and streakers love this fish. In many countries, marlin is one of the most popular frozen fish on the market and a well-known seafood import. Many people say it’s sweet and tastes great. If it’s cooked properly, marlin makes an excellent meal.
With its high protein and good fats, it is the ideal food for those who are always on the move. When buying marlin, make sure you buy it fresh. If you add butter or oil to it, it becomes even more delicious because of its fat content.
Among the many ways to prepare marlin, baking, grilling, frying, and steaming are some options.
What is the best Marlin to eat?
Marlins come in several types: Blue Marlins, Black Marlins, Striped Marlins, and White Marlins. As well as being rich in vitamins and magnesium, marlin is also low in sodium and contains lean protein. Additionally, marlin contains selenium, niacin, and vitamin B6. A serving of fresh marlin contains approximately 200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids.
The most common marlin species are blue and white marlin. Blue marlins are usually bigger with more firm flesh, whereas white marlins are more petite and have a more delicate texture.
Despite the fact that both types of fish can be eaten raw, it is generally suggested that blue marlin should be cooked before eating.
It is usually best to consume white marlin raw since it rarely contains parasites. The highest quality sushi-grade flesh is a must when you eat marlin raw. A good idea if you are uncertain about the quality of the fish is to cook it before eating it. Marlin can be enjoyed in many different ways, so discover which one suits you best!
What cuts of Marlin are the best to eat?
Nowadays, marlin steaks are more readily available. As well as sliced fillets of sashimi grade, marlin can also be smoked. You can prepare marlin for cooking in a variety of ways, including cooking it on a grill, baking it, smoking it, or frying it. The marlin is an excellent choice for ceviche, sushi, and other Japanese dishes that call for richly flavoured fish.
What does Marlin taste like?
It is often compared to tuna fish in terms of its odour and taste because it is similar, but with a slightly different taste.
Some describe the taste as similar to tuna, but more intense; however, most agree that marlin is a healthy food choice.
There is a slight sweetness to the meat of marlin fish, but it has a flavour that is quite distinct. Marlin’s taste is mild but still unique.
Does Marlin taste like Tuna?
Some people say marlin has the flavour of swordfish mixed with tuna. A richer flavour, reminiscent of shark, has been described by others. There are those, however, who believe it tastes lighter, somewhat like halibut.
Marlins come in different varieties, just as tunas do. Tuna and marlin taste different based on the species of fish.
You should try marlin for yourself to find out whether it tastes similar to tuna or not. Like tuna, marlin is likely to appeal to tuna lovers. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you like.
Is a Marlin a Swordfish?
There is a difference between swordfish and marlin. Regardless, they both grow to a maximum height of 3 meters. Fish such as marlin have a strong taste like tuna does. As opposed to swordfish, which has a low-fat level, hence being less dense than Marlin when prepared as steak or sushi-grade fillet. A swordfish fillet has dark flesh with white stripes; while marlin meat is lighter in colour with distinct stripes of red.
The flavour of swordfish is less “gamey” than that of marlin, which makes it more tricky to cook. The best way to cook marlin steaks is medium-rare, but swordfish steaks need to be cooked longer to destroy pathogens. When it comes to fattier fish, swordfish is one of your most delicious options. Go with marlin if you’re okay with a more robust fish flavour.
Is Marlin healthy to eat?
Consuming marlin fish can be beneficial to your family’s health! It has a lot of essential fatty acids and is a very nutritious fish. Marlin has a lot of protein and is healthy for the brain and heart! Furthermore, marlin provides thiamine, B6, and niacin, which are all essential vitamins.
You can eat marlin all year long because it’s delicious and nutrient-dense. The meat of marlin is packed with omega-3 fatty acids too, and its rich red colour is divine!
Unless you cook them long enough, they will toughen up, so watch them closely while cooking.
Consuming marlin loins or steaks in moderation is the best way to incorporate them into your diet. Make sure you incorporate it as a part of your diet once a month at the very least and keep a close eye on your mercury levels. The proper preparation of marlin makes it a nutritious and delicious food!
Buying Marlin frozen fish
Your market typically displays whole fish directly on ice in its seafood basket section. The ice should be clean and properly drained; no sign of stain or discolouration.
Whenever you buy marlin fish steaks, make sure the flesh is reddish-pink, that is moist, firm, and with no stains or leaks. If you buy online, ensure that the packaging of the fish is clean and dry. The fish shouldn’t have a fishy, odour like ammonia, as that indicates the fish is in bad shape.
Check to see if the fish has previously been frozen. With today’s flash-freezing technology, freezing barely affects texture, but you should not refreeze fish that has already been frozen and defrosted. This fish is best eaten on the same day it was bought.
Storing and Thawing Marlin fish
Spread in a dish and seal or keep in an enclosed container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months at -18°C or below.
Putting the frozen fish in the fridge or placing it in cold water will allow it to defrost. Fish should never be thawed at room temperature.
For best results, thawed fish should be cooked within one day after being defrosted.
Cooking Marlin fish
Common methods
Here are some tips and cooking instructions for preparing marlin loins and steaks. Marlin is a versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, and it makes an excellent seafood choice for those looking for a healthy meal. You can prepare marlin in the following ways:
Grilled Marlin
Grilling marlin is a great way to prepare this fish. Grill the fish for approximately four minutes on each side after seasoning it with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
It is best wrapped in foil or banana leaves if baking or barbecuing, to prevent it from drying out.
Baked Marlin
Cooking marlin by baking is another excellent option. For about 15 minutes, bake the fish at 400 degrees Fahrenheit with seasonings you like.
Sauteed Marlin
The best way to cook marlin is to sauté it. Add spices, salt, and a squeeze of lemon to the fish, and sauté for 2-3 minutes per side in a medium-hot pan.
The firm flesh holds together well in soups, curries and casseroles and can be cubed for kebabs. There is no wrong way to prepare marlin, as it is a healthy and tasty seafood option that is a surefire hit.
Food pairing
Combines well with ingredients like anchovies, capsicums, chillies, citrus fruits, ginger, garlic, chives, olives, sesame oil, olive oil, tomatoes, vinegar, wasabi, and soy sauce.
Drink pairing
Red wines pair best with flavorful fish such as marlin. Light reds pair well with this kind of fish, even though most people steer clear of red wines when it comes to seafood.
The combination of Rose and grilled fish is great as well. You will enjoy drinking a Rose with grilled marlin fish. Rose can also be substituted with white wine with a rich flavour.
Popular Marlin fish recipes
Greek marlin
In this marlin recipe, marlin steaks are sautéed in garlic butter sauce with basil and tomatoes. The fish tastes great when it is accompanied by feta cheese and olives.
Garlic soy marlin steaks
There’s no better way to enjoy marlin than this savoury and sweet recipe! This marinade can be used on a wide variety of white fish, including braai fish.
Tacos de marlin
On the Mexican Pacific coast, marlin tacos are very popular, especially in Baja. This dish, like many Mexican dishes, can be customized to your liking. Fish tacos are based on smoked marlin, which is the staple of the dish.
Substitutes for Marlin
Mahi Mahi
Fish like Mahi Mahi have meaty flesh that resembles that of marlin. This alternative is more sustainable and can be used in several ways, including cooking on the grill, barbecuing, and simmering soups or curries.
Mackerel
Marlin flesh is rosier and redder than swordfish flesh and has a stronger flavour. If you are grilling or barbecuing, Mackerel is a tasty alternative. When charred on a barbecue, the oily flesh of the meat absorbs flavour well. A variety of spices, herbs, roasted veggies, and olives are all common additions to the dish.
Yellowtail kingfish
There is no doubt that the marlin’s oily, firm flesh is some of the tastiest of all fish. A great option for grilled meals because it holds up well to heat, however, overcooking can make it dry. For these cooking methods, yellowtail kingfish is an appropriate alternative. Grill it medium-rare only to ensure optimum moisture retention.
Occasionally, fresh marlin will be served raw, but Yellowtail Kingfish can also be used in place of the marlin.
Sustainability of the Marlin fish
Under U.S. regulations, native Pacific blue marlin is an excellent choice of seafood. Overfishing of Pacific blue marlin is not occurring according to the 2021 evaluation of the supply.
