Crispy Mackerel with Charred Corn Succotash, Avocado-Lime Smash & Cherry Jalapeño Salsa
Smoky, bright, crisp-skinned fish with vivid summer vegetables.
Daily recipe · June 08, 2026
A little about this dish
This main course leans Tex-Mex without falling into the usual taco routine: crisp-skinned mackerel is paired with a charred sweet-corn and zucchini succotash, creamy avocado-lime smash, and a sharp cherry salsa with pickled jalapeño. Mackerel’s rich, savory flavor loves bright acid and smoke, while early-summer vegetables keep the plate seasonal, colorful, and striking.
Ingredients (for 2)
- Mackerel fillet — 2 fillets (about 6 oz each) — pin bones removed
- Fresh corn — 1 ear — kernels cut off
- Small zucchini — 1 — halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- Sweet cherries — 1 cup — pitted and chopped
- Ripe avocado — 1 — peeled and pitted
- Small jalapeño — 1 — thinly sliced, divided
- Small shallot — 1 — thinly sliced
- Garlic clove — 1 small clove — finely grated
- Lime — 1 — zest finely grated and juiced
- Lime — 1 extra — cut into wedges
- Cooked black beans — 1/2 cup — drained and rinsed
- Pumpkin seeds — 2 tbsp
- Fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems — 2 tbsp — chopped
- Fresh cilantro — extra — for garnish
- Ground cumin — 1/2 tsp
- Smoked paprika — 1/2 tsp
- Apple cider vinegar — 1 tbsp
- Honey — 1 tsp
- Extra-virgin olive oil — 2 tbsp — divided
- Neutral oil — 1 tsp — for searing
- Water — 1 tbsp — as needed for avocado smash
- Salt — to taste
- Black pepper — to taste
Preparation
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Step 1 — 🐟🧂🔪Pat the mackerel fillets dry. Lightly score the skin 2 or 3 times, then season both sides with salt, black pepper, half the lime zest, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Set aside.
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Step 2 — 🧅🌶️🥣Mix half the sliced shallot and half the jalapeño with apple cider vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
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Step 3 — 🍒🌿🍋Combine the chopped cherries, remaining shallot, some of the remaining jalapeño to taste, half the cilantro, 1 teaspoon lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a small drizzle of olive oil. Toss gently and set aside.
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Step 4 — 🥑🧄🥄Mash the avocado with the grated garlic, remaining lime zest, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Add 1 tablespoon water if needed to make it smooth and spoonable.
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Step 5 — 🎃🔥🍽️Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until nutty and starting to pop. Transfer to a plate.
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Step 6 — 🌽🥒🍳Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and zucchini with a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly charred and the zucchini is tender-crisp.
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Step 7 — 🫘🌿✨Add the black beans, cumin, remaining smoked paprika, and a squeeze of lime to the skillet. Cook for 1 more minute, then stir in the remaining cilantro. Taste and adjust salt. Keep warm.
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Step 8 — 🐟🍳👋Wipe out the skillet and heat the neutral oil over medium-high heat. Place the mackerel fillets skin-side down and press gently for 20 seconds so the skin stays flat.
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Step 9 — 🔥🐟⏱️Cook mostly on the skin side for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin is crisp and the fish is mostly cooked. Flip and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more, until just cooked through and still juicy.
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Step 10 — 🍽️🥑🍒Spread the avocado smash onto each plate. Add the corn and black bean mixture, then place the mackerel on top skin-side up. Spoon over the cherry salsa and pickled shallot and jalapeño. Finish with toasted pumpkin seeds, extra cilantro, and lime wedges.
A final fox tip
If fresh mackerel is unavailable, ask for another oily fish with skin such as sardine fillets or bluefish. For extra drama, serve on a wide platter and spoon the cherry salsa at the last second so the colors stay vivid and glossy. This dish works because rich fish loves acidity, sweetness, and smoke—the same balancing act that makes great Tex-Mex food so satisfying.