How to Make Smoked Marlin (Smoke Your Own Catch at Home!)

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Are you looking for a delicious recipe for smoked marlin? This fish is perfect for smoking because it always comes out tender, moist, and incredibly flavorful. Some people say it tastes like tuna but with a richer, more robust flavor that shines when smoked.

This recipe is straightforward, though it does involve a few steps since we brine the fish first to lock in moisture and enhance the taste. But if you follow along, the process is quite simple and worth the effort.

Easy Smoked Marlin

Smoked marlin is perfect for special dinners, weekend entertaining, or when you want to impress guests with something unique. It makes an elegant main course that pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables and rice, or you can flake it into salads and pasta dishes for a gourmet twist on everyday meals.

What You Need

• Marlin
• Brine Ingredients
• Smoker or Grill
• Fruitwood
• Charcoal
• Note: If you don’t have a smoker, you can use cedar planks or a pellet grill. It gives fish a smoky flavor in under 10 minutes.

How to Smoke a Marlin at Home

Below is my eight-step process for smoking marlin.

Step 1 – Create Your Brine

Step 2 – Fillet

If you purchased a whole fish, file the fish into four steaks and leave the skin on.

Step 3 – Brine

Place the fish in a 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. Add 1-2 cups of the brine mixture to the bag. Seal the brine bags and store them in the refrigerator. Allow 8-12 hours for the fish to brine. Set this bag aside for your next steps.

Step 4 – Prep Your Smoker

Preheat your smoker to 225°F and pick the wood type you’ll use.

Step 5 – Dry The Fish

Now it’s time to take the marlin out for the fridge and zipper packs. Pat the marlin dry with paper towels to remove the brine. Drying off the brine allows the smoke to draw into the fish.

Step 7 – Smoke The Fish

Place the fish on the smoker. It usually takes 2 – 4 hours for the fish to reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Once it reaches 140°F, remove it from the smoker and serve immediately.

What Temperature Should You Smoke Marlin Too?

The marlin will be ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.

How Long To Smoke Marlin In a Smoker

You want to smoke the fish for at least 2 hours and up to 7 hours. Low and slow for longer is better; the lower the temperature, the longer you can smoke it.

How Long Does It Last?

When stored properly, smoked marlin can last for approximately three days in the refrigerator. It is important to keep the smoked marlin tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods.

Additionally, placing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the back, will help maintain its freshness. If you want to extend its shelf life, freezing is a viable option. Smoked marlin can be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months. However, it’s worth noting that the texture and flavor may slightly change after freezing and thawing.

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Recipes to Serve with Smoked Marlin 🐟🔥

🍠 Smoked Sweet Potatoes
🥒 Grilled Zucchini
🥖 Smoked Garlic Bread
🧀 Smoked Mac and Cheese
🥕 Grilled Carrots with Brown Butter
➡️ Classic BBQ Side Dishes

Smoke On!

Charlie

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