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Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

Ginger Garlic Swordfish Recipe

Published: Apr 14, 2021 · Modified: Aug 5, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

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You’re going to love my buttery ginger garlic pan-seared swordfish recipe! It’s amazingly delicious and so very easy to make. My restaurant-quality recipe produces a tender, moist, flavor-packed swordfish that tastes better than your favorite seafood restaurant.

ginger garlic swordfish on a bed spinach on a white plate.


 

Cooking swordfish can be a disaster when it’s overcooked. The mild flavors of the swordfish make it a blank canvas for flavor. Have fun adding your favorite seasonings and fresh herbs to customize my easy swordfish recipe to your taste preference.

Making a simple marinade is a great option, but my compound butter is easier and turns fresh swordfish into a culinary masterpiece.

Try our Pan-Seared Rockfish and Tilefish Recipes if you love fresh fish recipes.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients for Swordfish Recipe
  • How do I make Compound Butter?
  • How to make our Swordfish Recipe
  • How do I know if the swordfish is thoroughly cooked?
  • What fish can I use instead of Swordfish?
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Ginger-Garlic Swordfish Recipe

Ingredients for Swordfish Recipe

Ingredients to make the recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients needed for our Ginger Garlic Swordfish Recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Simple Ingredients

  • swordfish steaks
  • butter
  • fresh Italian parsley
  • garlic cloves
  • ginger
  • lemon zest (or chopped lemon peel)
  • red pepper flakes (or black pepper)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt

How do I make Compound Butter?

Before you start making the swordfish recipe, prepare the compound butter you’ll be using at the end of the preparation.

two images showing how to make compound butter

Compound butter is made by mixing additional elements, such as herbs, spices, or aromatic liquids, into softened butter. I used minced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, chopped Italian parsley, grated lemon peel, and freshly grated ginger for my compound butter.

You can easily swap out ingredients to customize the compound butter and have fun experimenting with the flavors.

How to make our Swordfish Recipe

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make our swordfish recipe in your home kitchen.

Image showing how to begin the recipe.

Rinse the swordfish steaks with cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Salt the swordfish generously using your favorite sea salt (kosher salt can also be used).

Collage showing the next steps n the recipe.
  • Place an ovenproof frying pan (or grill pan) over medium-high heat, and when hot, add one tablespoon of olive oil and the swordfish, salted side down. Sear the swordfish for 1-2 minutes or until the seared swordfish has a lovely color.
  • Turn the swordfish over and drain any excess oil from the pan. Carefully add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and place it in a preheated 400-degree oven.

*Roast the swordfish until just cooked through, about 6-8 minutes or until the desired doneness.

How do I know if the swordfish is thoroughly cooked?

Swordfish is a meaty fish, and the easiest way to tell if it’s done is to use an instant-read or meat thermometer. The temperature should read 130°F for medium, 135°F for medium-well, or 140 to 145°F for well-done.

Another way to tell if your swordfish is thoroughly cooked is by inserting the tines of a fork into the thickest portion of the swordfish at a 45° angle. Gently twist the fork and pull up some of the fish. If it flakes easily, without resistance, the fish is done.

two images showing how to cook the compound butter
  • Transfer the seared swordfish to a serving dish. I like serving my swordfish with wilted spinach, but feel free to use your vegetable or grain.
  • Add seasoned butter mixture to the same skillet. Allow it to cook slightly over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling (1-2 minutes).
ginger garlic swordfish on a bed spinach on a white plate.

Spoon the seasoned butter over the cooked swordfish and serve with your favorite side dishes. My Pan-roasted swordfish is seared in a pan and finished in the oven, just like we did in the restaurant!

*You can do this fish in the oven for the entire cooking process, but I like to sear the swordfish before finishing in the oven. You can also add the butter directly to the swordfish before it goes in the oven instead of cooking the compound butter in a pan.

*This swordfish recipe can also be prepared on the gas grill or air fryer. But you still need to use a frying pan to cook the topping.

What fish can I use instead of Swordfish?

Compound butter is an excellent way to enhance any fresh fish that may be on the drier side. Tuna, shark, mahi-mahi, red snapper, or your favorite white fish will also work well with my recipe.

Compound butters also work well with grilled chicken, steaks, and pork chops.

ginger garlic swordfish on a bed spinach on a white plate.

After one bite, I know you’ll agree that this is The Best Swordfish Recipe you’ve ever tried.

Swordfish is a delicious and nutritious fish. The bold flavors of ginger and garlic, combined with the meaty texture of swordfish, create a satisfying and delicious meal that is perfect for your next date night, dinner party, or any occasion.

Recipe FAQ’s

How well should I cook swordfish?

Overcooking any fish is an easy way to ruin it. Swordfish is not as forgiving as salmon, so it’s essential to cook swordfish to medium well, cooked to the point where it is just cooked through but still remains juicy.

Is Swordfish healthy?

Swordfish is an excellent source of selenium, a micronutrient with cancer-fighting and heart-health benefits. It’s also protein-rich and loaded with niacin, vitamin B12, zinc, and Omega-3. Swordfish is also low in fat and calories, which makes it a guilt-free choice when it comes to seafood.

Should I rinse the swordfish steak?

I think it’s always a good idea to rinse any fish under cold running water. Pat the rinsed fillet dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking.

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    Easy Pan Seared Halibut with Creamed Spinach Recipe
  • northwest, coho
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  • poached mahi-mahi with shrimp on a bed of spinach, tomatoes and rice on a white plate
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overhead view of a swordfish steak topped with garlic ginger topping on a bed of spinach on a white platter

Ginger-Garlic Swordfish Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
You'll love my easy Ginger Garlic Swordfish Recipe. It's the perfect restaurant style meal for your next date night!
4.69 from 325 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons butter room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon ginger grated
  • ⅕ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ½ teaspoon lemon peel grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 ounces swordfish fillets should be 6-7 ounces each
  • sea salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • In a small bowl blend together the butter, parsley, garlic, ginger, red pepper and lemon peel.
  • Season the swordfish to taste with sea salt.
  • Place an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and when hot add one tablespoon of olive oil and the swordfish, salted side down.
  • Pan sear the swordfish for 1-2 minutes or until it has a nice color.
  • Turn the swordfish over, and drain out any excess oil from the pan. Carefully add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and place the pan in a preheated 400 degree oven
  • Roast the swordfish until just cooked through, about 6-8 minutes or until desired doneness.
  • Transfer swordfish to a serving dish
  • Add seasoned butter mixture to the same skillet. Allow it to cook slightly over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling (1-2 minutes).
  • Pour butter sauce over swordfish and serve with your favorite side dishes

Video

Notes

Before you start cooking the swordfish, prepare the compound butter you’ll be using at the end of the preparation.
You can do this fish in the oven for the entire cooking process, but I do like the Pan Roasting Method for some foods for swordfish. You can also add the butter directly to the swordfish before it goes in the oven instead of cooking the compound butter in a pan.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 34gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 142mgPotassium: 726mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    4.69 from 325 votes (206 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kim Hale says

    November 03, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Absolutely love this recipe! Have used it a lot! I just noticed the red pepper though. Is that chilli pepper or normal red pepper? Because I have been using normal pepper. Would hate to think I’ve missed out on chilli! Thanks chef !

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 03, 2020 at 8:37 am

      hi Kim
      it is crushed red pepper, but you could use red bell pepper. Now that you know how to make this kind of topping, you can adapt it with favorite seasonings, add heat if you like and even use it on other seafood, chicken, beef or pork.

      Reply
  2. Shona says

    October 29, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    5 stars
    Was a perfect recipe for my MIL’s first introduction to swordfish! I grated the garlic because I prefer the texture and the flavor distribution of grated vs. chopped, and doubled the compound butter because my swordfish steaks were HUGE., but otherwise followed the recipe. DELICIOUS!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      October 29, 2020 at 10:25 pm

      I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Shona, and adapting the recipe to better suit your needs is what cooking is all about!

      Reply
  3. Bruce Babbitt says

    October 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    5 stars
    Best swordfish recipe I’ve tried in quite a while.

    Reply
  4. Nancy Quinn says

    October 21, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    I found your recipe for Ginger-Garlic pan roasted swordfish while randomly looking for an easy recipe for swordfish. I was drawn to your recipe first because of your name “Dennis” and then because of the simplicity of the recipe. My family was extremely pleased with how the swordfish turned out. It was very tasty!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      October 22, 2020 at 8:36 am

      I’m happy to hear that Nancy. Thank you for the great review and I hope you find more recipes on my blog to try for your family!

      Reply
  5. Nancy says

    October 20, 2020 at 9:28 pm

    5 stars
    This was both easy and incredibly delicious. And it is company worthy. My new favorite swordfish recipe. Didn’t bother putting it in the oven; I just cooked it on the stove until is was cooked through (around 130 degrees).

    Reply
  6. Katie says

    October 19, 2020 at 8:34 pm

    5 stars
    I cooked swordfish for the first time tonight and my family really enjoyed it! My middle son had asked for it and when I searched for a recipe I found this one and the butter sounded SO good, I just HAD to try it. Even my youngest son, who never enjoys eating fish enjoyed this. Thank for sharing it!!

    Reply
  7. Susan E Howe says

    October 10, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Trish says

    October 03, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    5 stars
    My first time making one of your recipes and my family loved it!!! The swordfish was perfectly cooked and the sauce gave it a restaurant quality flavor! Really amazing. Thank you Chef Dennis.

    Reply
  9. Wanda McHenry says

    October 02, 2020 at 10:06 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  10. Annette says

    October 01, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was delicious. We grilled the swordfish and topped it with the melted ginger garlic butter. Scrumptious!

    Reply
  11. Steven Argyris says

    September 29, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was the best swordfish I have ever made. It had the perfect mix of spicy and rich.

    Reply
  12. Tracy G says

    September 19, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    5 stars
    Made for dinner tonight. We’ve never had sword fish before. DELICIOUS!

    Reply
  13. Brittany Little says

    September 14, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    O. M. G. !!!! This was just amazing!!!

    Reply
  14. Dominique says

    September 03, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    5 stars
    I just made this tonight and it was great! I had never cooked swordfish before and this recipe made it easy!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      September 03, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the swordfish recipe! I hope you find more recipes to try in your kitchen!

      Reply
  15. JOHN says

    August 31, 2020 at 7:36 pm

    This recipe is outstanding. I made the swordfish and the family went crazy over it. This will make people that don’t prefer fish to ask for seconds. Thanks for sharing. This is in the favorite collection.

    Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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