Tropical Thai Swordfish is a mouthwatering succulent grilled fish with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili and Asian pear.
Just one bite and you will be hooked. The Essential Thai Herbs and Spices used in the marinade and as a vibrant tropical topping to the grilled swordfish. Don't worry if you do not have all of these Asian spices and herbs. We have easy to find Western Substitutions for all of them in the recipe.
- Savory from garlic and shallots and fish sauce.
- Sour from the freshly squeezed limes.
- Spicy from the Thai bird chilis.
- Sweet from the Asian pear.
This grilled swordfish one of our favorite recipes from our Best Tasting Fish and Seafood Recipes for Picky Eaters. It's a perfectly light, healthy and delicious. Tropical Thai Swordfish is perfect for gluten-free, diabetic friendly and low carb diets.
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What kinds of fish are best for grilling?
Firm fleshed fish are great for the grill. Swordfish are almost steak like and can really hold up to the grilling process. We have found that we do not even need a fish basket for swordfish.
However, other light tasting fish that would be perfect in this recipe are mahi mahi, snapper, whitefish, cod, haddock, sea bass just to name a few. These fish are more delicate so it is best to use a fish basket to turn the fish on the grill.
We actually grilled our swordfish just in a grill pan on the stove top. Use a fish that is sustainable and available in your region.
How to prepare a fish for the grill?
The best way to keep your fish from sticking and falling apart on the grill is to do the following...
- Use a fish basket or a very firm fish.
- Adding a little olive oil over the fish and also rubbed on the grill surface or fish basket will prevent sticking. Do not use too much oil as you do not want the grill to flame up and burn your fish. You just want to use a little oil in your marinade.
- Be sure to first clean the grill. Then, use a towel to apply a light rub of oil onto the grill plates or use a little oil spray to coat the fish basket. (We of course do this away from the fire) LOL …
Spring and Summer Gatherings
Do you like to entertain? Tropical Thai Swordfish is a fabulous idea for entertaining as you can do the prep in advance and have the fish marinating. When you guests arrive serve then a delicious Blue Elephant Chili Cocktail and have them nibble on our Thai Firecracker Shrimp Party Appetizers. You can grill your Tropical Thai Swordfish when your guests are settled in.
What to Serve with?
If you like Thai flavors, be sure to make our Prik Nam Pla along the side to dip your fish into. Check out our SPICY starter, Thai Hot and Sour Prawn Soup it's perfect any time of the year. For sides, be sure to try our Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados or Thai Grilled Watermelon Salad
A sweet delicious ending to a meal is never better than a traditional Easy Mango Sticky Rice or No-Churn Dairy Free Mango Swirl Ice Cream
Thai Herbs and Spices and Substitutions
Do you cook with Thai ingredients often? If not, then let’s take a minute to review. Please check out of Essential Thai Herbs and Spices post.
Kaffir Lime leaves – The crushed leaves emit an intense citrus aroma
Lemongrass – culinary and medicinal cooling herb that smells like fresh lemons
Galangal – cooling herb that is very firm and difficult to chop but is very zesty and aromatic – different than ginger
Thai chili peppers – SPICY FIRE
Shallots – aromatic
Fish sauce – adds a deep blend of savory notes to the recipe
Fresh limes – adds a delightful sour note only add after you turn the heat off.
Balancing the Flavors WITHOUT added sugar
Thai flavors are all about balancing the sour, spicy, savory and sweet. However, we do not like to add sugar or sugar alternatives unless we need to. Can you guess what we added to add a little element of sweet to the dish? Yes, a little grated Asian Pear (nashi).
You could also use a little grated apple, regular pear or even a squeeze of fresh orange juice. If you are diabetic or watching your carbohydrates feel free to use a sugar alternative of choice. If you are looking for more Grilling and Chilling Recipes be sure to check out our Summer Grilling and Chilling Recipes.
Delicious Thai Recipes to complete the Meal
Thai Firecracker Shrimp Party Appetizer
Prik Nam Pla - The Incredible Thai Table Condiment
Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados
Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.
Tropical Thai Swordfish
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon oil for frying
(we used coconut oil) - 2 shallots
peeled and minced - 3 stalks lemongrass
diced very finely (white part only) - 4 cloves garlic
peeled and minced - 2 inch Galangal
(Kha)knob peeled and grated or can use ginger - 1-2 Thai Bird Chili
(Phrik) or to taste - smashed with the back of your knife but left whole(optional) - 5 kaffir lime leaves
stem removed and sliced thinly - 2 green onions
chopped - 1 tablespoon mirin
(can also use cooking sherry or white wine or skip if you have dietary issues) - 1 tablespoon fish sauce
(use a gluten-free brand if you need to keep gluten-free) - 1 Asian pear (nashi) peeled - 1 whole grated (can use other types of pears or apple as well)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- Oil
for prepping grill, fish basket or grill pan - 4 fillets swordfish fillets (or can use whole fish or any firm white fish)
Instructions
- Make Thai Aromatic Herb Mixture: You can either chop up all of your fresh aromatics (shallots, lemongrass, garlic, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and green onions) very fine or use a mortal and pestle to break up into smaller pieces. (We do not generally cut up the chili but instead just smash with the back of your knife. Thai Bird Chili Peppers might be little but they are VERY MIGHTY.) Place oil in frying pan up to medium heat and add in shallots, lemongrass, garlic, galangal, Thai chili pepper, kaffir lime leaves, green onions and sauté until fragrant and the onions are translucent. Add mirin or cooking sherry and deglaze the pan. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Add fish sauce, grated Asian Pear (or other types of pears, apples or juice of an orange and juice of a lime. Stir.
- In a resealable plastic baggie or sealed container place in the cleaned swordfish and add ONLY ONE HALF of Thai aromatic herb mixture (you will reserve ½ of the Thai aromatic herb mixture as a topping upon final serving) and rub the swordfish well. Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare and Preheat grill. Slightly oil grill grates or fish basket to prevent the fish from sticking (You can use gas, charcoal or even a grill plate on top of stove). If you do not have a grill or grill pan, you can also make on the stove top in a frying pan.
- Remove the swordfish steaks from the marinade and drizzle with a little oil on both sides and place on hot grill. Grill swordfish steaks for 2-3 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your fish or until the fish flakes easily with fork. Your fish should no longer be translucent but be white in color. Remove from grill and keep warm.
- Garnish your Topical Thai Swordfish with the other half of the remaining Thai Aromatic Herb Mixture. Serve with a Prik Nam Pla Dipping Sauce if desired and enjoy!
Bluejellybeans says
Wow! This dish looks fantastic! John was right sending us here 😉
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am so glad you like it and isn't Johns swordfish just gorgeous with his beautiful green sauce.Take care, BAM
Liz says
I'm closing my eyes, ignoring the snow flurries, and imagining myself in the tropics. And while I'm at it, I'll imagine that this glorious fish is my dinner tonight! What a wonderful, flavorful recipe...I adore Thai influenced dishes...yum!!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Liz, I think they really need to fire that ground hog as he is always wrong. Sending some warm thoughts and breezes your way from Hong Kong. This Thai inspired fish dish really works well with any firm white fish for the grill. It is so light and even though swimsuit season is still a couple of months away, it is good to have some of these recipes in our diet. Take care, BAM
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Daisy, Thai cuisine is so addictive... I also love papaya salads but it is difficult to find green papaya here in HK. What about where you live? You can use any firm white fish available if swordfish is not available where you live. It really is the marinade, and the sauces and the dipping sauce that makes this dish special. Sending some warm thoughts your way. Take Care, BAM
[email protected] says
I really wish I could go back to Thailand sometime soon 🙂 it's been a few years since I've gone and I'm just dying to have their authentic papaya salads, and Thai beef salads and the curries just all their food 😀 Ohhh I love the look and sound of your swordfish hope I'll be able to find swordfish here in Melb and then try making this ~
bitsandbreadcrumbs says
I believe you were actually IN the place I was dreaming about this week...maybe I was channeling your holiday! I adore Thai food and really could eat it for days on end. This swordfish looks like it would make me very, very happy. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am a light packer so if you can fit in my carry on bag your more than welcome to join me next time. It is the time of the year that everyone that faces that "white stuff" falling from the sky needs a little sunshine and sand between their toes. Although I can't bring you to the beach, I can bring the beach to your kitchen. This tropical swordfish dish makes you feel like you are on a tropical holiday with fresh summer breezes and delicious Thai spices. Sending some warm thoughts and sunshine your way. Take Care, BAM
Geni - Sweet and Crumby says
Oh my gosh. I am in love with this tropical recipe. It looks like we are both on a tropical kick right now. The sauce looks absolutely crazy delicious Bam.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Geni, Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I have seen your recipes and they are gorgeous. When there is still snow on the ground in March you need to think warmer thoughts and this fish dish will certainly set the mood. Maybe we should combine our menu items? Geni this is really BAM, even if you see a picture of a guy name Dan (My friendly IT specialist) who is trying to help me get some things sorted. Sending some warm tropical thoughts your way. Take Care, BAM
The Squishy Monster says
the close up of your steak is amazing...looove the new look, btw!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Squishy Monster! I am happy you like the new look I think it feels a bit more organized and easier to find what you are looking for. Happy cooking to you. Take Care, BAM
yummychunklet says
What a delicious flavor for swordfish!
Purely.. Kay says
This is my first time at your newly designed blog and I absolutely love it. And I love this swordfish as well. I would love to have this for dinner
Healthy World Cuisine says
So glad to see you Kay! Thank you for your kind comments and this thai inspired swordfish is quite lovely with all of the flavors of sweet, salty, sour and spice. Take Care, BAM
Karen says
I'm like you and try to recreate dishes as soon as I get home from a trip while the memories of the tastes are fresh. Your swordfish sounds delicious. I can just imagine all the wonderful dishes that you encountered on your trip.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Karen, My husband and family always laugh at me as I test taste my food in a restaurant. Unlike most people who are just enjoying the dishes we are trying to figure out the ingredients and how much in each and what way it was prepared. It is kind of like a science experiment and then of course there is the photo taking...so we remember what we ate. No wonder our family laughs at us. You can spot a foodie a mile away....Take care, BAM
Karen says
It sounds like we are a lot alike. By the way...I have seen your comments on other blogs about your comments not going through. I'm having the same problem and hate that friends don't think we are reading their posts.
Dan says
You too are having the same issue with commenting? Hmmm? I just thought it was because I moved from wordpress to a .com self hosted site. One thing I did was go in an update all of my gravatar information and now I can leave a message using my twitter account or facebook account for those that have a wordpress account. I feel horrible that all of my foodies friends feel like I have abaondoned them but really all my comments are in their spam box. I hope this resolves soon. Take care, BAM
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Karen, I know that must have been strange having this guy name Dan respond to your question but it is actually me (BAM). Dan is my friendly IT specialist who happened to be signed on to my account trying to help me trouble shoot some issues when I send this response. Take Care, BAM
purabinaha says
Oh, we are also looking forward to our Thailand trip (once again!) very soon!! Your swordfish made in Thai style is simply awesome. I loved that Thai chilli topped over it...the picture looks so gorgeous!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.in/
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment. Wishing you a safe and relaxing trip to Thailand. So many lovely places to visit, so short on time. I love the beautiful Thai people and the food is just gorgeous. The sweet, salty, spicy and sour flavor combinations is something that I can never seem to get enough of it. Have Fun on your trip! BAM
Yi @ Yi Resevation says
I have not been here in a while and it looks like I've been missing out a lot. I have to be honest that I have not had a good swordfish recipe so far and I think it's because all the dishes I've had lack the flavor. Your dish on the other hand sounds totally amazing. I would imagine the thai marinade and the dipping sauce would add a lot of flavor to the fish. Great post and thanks for sharing!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Yi, thanks so much for stopping by. I sent you an e-mail as my comments on your tasty little hot pot for some reason are not going through on your site. Thank you for your kind comment and I think it really is the 3 layer of flavoring that really gives this dish a special flare. Take care, BAM
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Konnichiwa Bam! I love Thai food.. that I can even eat it everyday! The lemongrass made me drool and the sauce makes me want to eat this right now! It looks and sounds like a very quick and easy and DELICIOUS dish. I need a big bowl of rice and I'm ready to dive in!
Healthy World Cuisine says
O genki desu ka, Nami-san? I am also one of those people who could eat Thai food for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get tired of it. I really like this dish as it is very light and yet very flavorful and even my teenagers liked it. For the record... My teenagers actually liked this dish, it was an epic moment. (However, I must say as my kids spent some of their formative years in Japan and they were very spoiled and had the freshest seafood and sushimi so they have had a bit of a different upbringing than many teenagers) Ja Mata, BAM
nancyc says
This sounds great, and your new site is looking so nice, too!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Nancy thanks on both! I am looking forward to keeping in touch. Take Care, BAM
{Main St. Cuisine} says
I'm loving the new look you've created here, Bam! The fresh herbs and chilis...I just love those flavors. The next time my boys are with the grandparents, I'll have to try this. Seems like a meal I'd like to linger over with a good glass of wine.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Allison, I know kids and seafood are usually 2 words that don't go well together. This Tropical Thai Swordfish is a romantic dinner for 2 but if your boys are like mine just leave off the toppings and grill the fish plain. My teenagers are older so they love the spicy dipping sauce but I am sure yours are bit younger and might be keen on spicy things. Another trick I have learned with getting kids to eat fish is to dredge the fish in sesame seeds and fry and they love that outer crunch on the outside and they forget it is fish. Of course there is the whole batter it up and fry it and serve with a side of chips and they could be eating liver and never know it concept. Take Care, BAM