Easy Smoked Mackerel Pate – 5 Ingredients

This is easily one of the simplest but tastiest recipes ever. I first had this Smoked Mackerel Pate at my Auntie’s for lunch a while ago and knew Mr C would love it. He is a massive mackerel fan but I’d never understood why, until this.

Why you will love this Mackerel Pâté recipe

• This delicious pate is dirt cheap – Just £3 for 4 servings. 
• Mackerel has such distinctive strong flavours that will satisfy your palette.
• The health benefits that mackerel bring make this a great, healthy recipe. (See below for the health benefits associated with eating mackerel).

How to serve Mackerel Pate

We are simple souls and like this smoked mackerel pate spread on thin white toast. I have even been known to toast each side of a round of bread and cut down the centre of the slice for really thin toast.

If you are looking for an even healthier way of enjoying this mackerel pate recipe, you can serve with red pepper or celery sticks.

Ingredients for Mackerel Pate

• Mackerel – We use the pre cooked, vacuum packed smoked mackerel fillets available in supermarkets
• Onion – Either red onion or spring onions (Scallions) are great as they are not too strong and overpowering
• Yogurt – Natural Greek yogurt is perfect
• Black Pepper (Optional)
• Crusty bread to serve (See alternative serving suggestions above) 

Method for making Mackerel Pate

The exact ingredients we have used are included in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but the joy of this easy recipe is you can add as much or as little of the onion as you like.

1. Place the pre cooked smoked mackerel into a medium bowl and separate into flakes with a fork. If you prefer a chunkier texture, leave larger flakes.
2. Stir through the chopped onion.
3. Add the natural yogurt and combine fully.
4. Taste and add the black pepper if you choose to.

Substitutions

• Lemon – I sometimes add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or even lemon zest right before serving for a fresh zing.
• If you do not have natural yogurt, crème fraîche is a great alternative. You might also like to try sour cream or soft cheese, according to your taste preferences. 
• Horseradish sauce – Brilliant for adding a bit of heat – Use sparingly by adding 1/2 tsp and stirring through.

The Healthy Benefits of Mackerel

Along with most oily fish, mackerel is high in healthy Omega-3. Most adults do not consume enough Omega 3 so this is an easy way of consuming fatty acids, which can reduce blood pressure and decrease cholesterol.

How to store Mackerel Pate

Unlike a lot of meat pates, fish pate including mackerel pate is perfectly fine to freeze. Just make sure you defrost fully before serving. You may find it separates a little so give it a good stir.

If you are not looking to freeze, this pate recipe can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days (As long as the ingredients you are using would still be within use by date in that time). Again, stir well before serving.

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