Mackerel rillettes
This recipe for mackerel rillettes (or potted mackerel) starts with poaching the fish. The flesh is then taken off the bones and forked into a seasoned mixture of butter, mustard, cream and lemon juice.
In France this is traditionally eaten as an aperitif snack, served on small slices of toast.
In France this is traditionally eaten as an aperitif snack, served on small slices of toast.
50 K 3/5 (5 reviews)
1 hour
Easy
600 g
10 IngredientsLast modified on: June 19th 2019
4 mackerel
2 tablespoons 
140 g 
4 tablespoons 
2 tablespoons Mustard
4 tablespoons lemon juice
chive flowers (optional)
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 40 min.
Cooking: 20 min.
All in all: 1 hour
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1
Ask your fishmonger to prepare 4 mackerel for you: cleaned and the head cut off.
Stage 2 - 3 min.
Rinse thoroughly under cold running water, then put in a large pan of cold water with 2 tablespoons coarse salt.
Stage 3 - 20 min.
Put on low heat and poach gently at a simmer for about 10 minutes.
Ideally, check the temperature of the fish flesh with an electronic thermometer. It will be cooked once the centre of the thickest part reaches 122°F (50°C).
Ideally, check the temperature of the fish flesh with an electronic thermometer. It will be cooked once the centre of the thickest part reaches 122°F (50°C).
Stage 4 - 30 min.
Remove the mackerel from the poaching water and leave to cool, then take all the flesh off the bones and discard the rest (skin, bones, etc.).
Unfortunately, there's no getting away from it: this is a long and tedious job.
Put all the boned flesh into a bowl.
Unfortunately, there's no getting away from it: this is a long and tedious job.
Put all the boned flesh into a bowl.
Stage 5 - 5 min.
Stage 6 - 2 min.
Mix well with a fork.
Check the seasoning. Transfer into jars and leave overnight, at least, in the fridge.
Check the seasoning. Transfer into jars and leave overnight, at least, in the fridge.
Stage 7
When you want to serve your rilletes, toast some slices of bread (rounds of French baguette here).
Stage 8
Spread the rillettes generously on the toast and decorate, if you like, with a few chive flowers. Then enjoy!
Remarks
Do feel free to vary either the ingredients or the amounts in this recipe. The general spirit of it is: poached mackerel flesh, a little butter and/or cream, herbs and spices of your choice, plus a hint of acidity (normally lemon juice, but vingar or white wine will also work).
For a tastier version, poach the mackerel in a fish stock, rather than salted water.
For a tastier version, poach the mackerel in a fish stock, rather than salted water.
Keeping: A few days in the fridge, in a sealed jar.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 310 RDI=120 % | 20 RDI=2 % | 270 RDI=40 % | 3,760 RDI=190 % | 15,740 RDI: 190 % |
| Per 100 g | 20 RDI=7 % | 0 | 20 RDI=2 % | 220 RDI=10 % | 920 RDI: 10 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 600 g : 5.95 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Butter
Like these other recipes: Butter cream, Paimpol salad, Fillet of salmon meunière, Fish "à la Bordelaise", The total turnip, ... See them all 450
Mackerel
Like these other recipes: Mackerel Fillets in White Wine, ... See them all 1
Lemon juice
Like these other recipes: Cooking sugar, Cauliflower tabouleh, Red mullet fillets in a quick marinade, Crispy potato and mushroom brik rolls, Cubed salad, ... See them all 70
Cream
Like these other recipes: Chocolate rolls (petits pains), New York style pasta, Potimarron (Japanese chestnut pumpkin) purée, Potato purée , Montagnon rice, ... See them all 112
Other recipes you may also like
Nanterre brioche
This is the classic, but delicious, brioche recipe that you can find in any good baker's. Her unique shape is made from small balls of dough put in a mould.September 10th 2018272 K3.8 2 hours 30 min.
Sweet pancake rolls from Brittany
Stewed apples, raisins soaked in whisky, toasted almonds, rolled in a lightly caramelized pancake.March 10th 2015243 K4.3 2 hours 20 min.
Rice pudding (riz au lait)
My personal version of this classic family recipe.December 18th 2018392 K5 40 min.
Frozen nougat
Dazzle your guests with this delicious dessert, a creamy blend of meringue, whipped cream and dried fruit that can be prepared several days in advance.November 17th 2024275 K4.5 1 hour 25 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2024-11-24)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.