Effortless Elegance: 15-Minute Instant Pot Mackerel
Let’s be honest, weeknight dinners can be a drag. You want something delicious and healthy, but you’re short on time and energy. Enter your new secret weapon: this Instant Pot Mackerel with Cherry Tomatoes. In just 15 minutes, you can have a stunningly flavorful and flaky fish dinner on the table that tastes like it took hours to prepare. The high pressure of the Instant Pot perfectly steams the rich mackerel while coaxing the cherry tomatoes to burst into a sweet, savory sauce, all infused with a simple garlic-butter seasoning. It’s a low-carb, high-protein meal that proves fast food can be fantastic food.
Ingredients
• (Total Time: 15 MIN | Serves: 4)
• 2 cups / 300g Cherry Tomatoes
• 4 Mackerel Fillets, about 6oz / 170g each
• 1 ½ cups / 360 ml Water, for the Instant Pot
• 2 tbsp / 30g Butter, melted
• ¼ tsp / 1.5g Garlic Salt
• ¼ tsp / 0.5g Onion Powder
• ¼ tsp / 0.5g Black Pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Prep the Dish: Arrange the cherry tomatoes in a single layer in a baking dish that fits comfortably inside your Instant Pot.
3. Layer the Fish: Place the mackerel fillets directly on top of the tomatoes.
4. Season and Drizzle: Sprinkle the garlic salt, onion powder, and black pepper evenly over the fish. Drizzle the melted butter over everything to coat.
5. Set Up the Pot: Pour the 1 ½ cups of water into the main Instant Pot liner and lower the trivet inside.
6. Start Cooking: Carefully place the baking dish onto the trivet. Lock the lid, ensure the steam valve is set to ‘Sealing’, and cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
7. Release the Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick pressure release by turning the valve to ‘Venting’.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Using oven mitts, remove the hot dish from the Instant Pot. Serve immediately, making sure to spoon the delicious buttery tomato juices over the fillets.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving (1 fillet)
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Total Fat: 17g
• Net Carbs: 3.5g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• (Note: This is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient size and brand.)
Pro Tips
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley after cooking to instantly brighten the dish.
• The buttery tomato juices at the bottom of the dish are liquid gold! Spoon them over the fish or serve with zucchini noodles or steamed asparagus.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other spices before cooking.
• Ensure your baking dish doesn’t fit too snugly, allowing steam to circulate properly for even cooking.
FAQ
Q: Is this Instant Pot Mackerel recipe keto-friendly
A: Yes, with only 3.5g of net carbs and 40g of protein per serving, this recipe is an excellent choice for a low-carb or keto diet.
Q: What can I serve with this mackerel and tomatoes
A: The delicious buttery tomato juices are perfect for spooning over zucchini noodles or steamed asparagus to create a complete meal.
Q: How do I make this mackerel recipe spicy
A: For a spicier kick, simply add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic salt and onion powder before you start cooking.
Q: Can I use a different kind of fish
A: While this recipe is designed for the rich flavor of mackerel, you could experiment with other firm fish fillets like cod or halibut, though cooking times may vary slightly.
