
I first tasted swordfish prepared this way in Sicily, and it has become my favorite method for cooking swordfish. The approach is simple, fast, and reliably delicious. Lightly breaded and quickly grilled, the steaks develop a golden crust while the center stays moist and flavorful. I like to serve these with plain lemon wedges so the bright citrus lifts the fish without masking its flavor.
Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele
Palermo Style Grilled Swordfish
Serves 4
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Palermo-style grilled swordfish features steaks lightly coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and grilled briefly over medium heat. The result is a crisp, golden exterior and a tender, moist interior—classic Sicilian flavors made easy. This recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight meal or a relaxed summer barbecue.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 swordfish steaks, at least 1 inch thick, cut in half lengthwise (about 1 1/2 pounds total weight)
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- Fresh lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Pat the swordfish steaks dry with paper towels. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil and season them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dry fish will allow the crumbs to adhere better and will produce a crisper crust.
- Spread the seasoned bread crumbs in a shallow plate. Press each oiled steak into the crumbs, coating one side evenly. Turn and press the other side, making sure crumbs adhere to the edges of the fish as well. A light, even coating is all you need.
- Place the breaded steaks on a plate, cover lightly, and refrigerate for about an hour. Chilling helps the crumb coating set so it stays in place while grilling.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. When hot, place the steaks crumb-side down first, and grill just a couple of minutes per side—typically 2 to 3 minutes each side depending on thickness. The goal is a golden-brown crust and a moist interior. Avoid overcooking; swordfish is best when just cooked through.
- Once grilled, the coating should be crisp and golden while the flesh remains opaque and juicy. Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest briefly for a minute.
- Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges. Squeezing lemon over the warm fish brightens the flavors. Optionally, drizzle with a little good olive oil, chopped parsley, or a light tomato relish for variation.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 3/4 pound
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 846
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 42mg
Sodium: 1252mg
Carbohydrates: 150g
Fiber: 18g
Sugar: 30g
Protein: 31g
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