Swordfish: What Makes it Unique & More Things to Know

What is swordfish?

Swordfish is a mild-tasting fish with white flesh and a meaty texture. It’s typically sold as thick steaks that are excellent for cooking in ways you can’t cook more tender types of fish, such as grilling or making kebobs.  

In the wild, this fish is one of the ocean’s fastest predators. They’re very recognizable thanks to their long, flat, and pointy bill that looks a bit like a sword. Swordfish grow quickly and can reach a maximum size of around 1,165lbs. However, the ones caught by commercial fishermen tend to fall in the 50 to 200lb range.

Other common names for the swordfish include:

• Broadbill swordfish
• Broadbill
• Espada
• Emperado

Where are swordfish found?

All swordfish for sale is wild-caught, as this is not a farmed fish. In the wild, these fish are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They typically spend their time in tropical and temperate waters but are also sometimes also found in cold waters. In the United States, swordfish is often found in the waters surrounding U.S. Pacific Islands, off the U.S. West Coast, and along the Florida coast. Each year, swordfish migrate thousands of miles in the eastern Atlantic along Africa and Europe and along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada. 

When is swordfish in season? 

The peak season for buying swordfish falls between August and October. This is when you’re likely to find the freshest pieces of swordfish and also when the prices tend to be the lowest. However, frozen swordfish is an excellent substitute for fresh. It’s available all year round, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for it to be in season.

What should I look for when buying swordfish?

Swordfish steaks have a light flavor, making them great for anyone who isn’t sure about eating fish. The red parts of the fish have a stronger flavor, but they can easily be cut out. If a light flavor is important to you, you can look for steaks that have smaller red lines.  

When looking for the freshest pieces of swordfish, you’ll want to choose steaks that are bright white or pink and that have a bright red bloodline. Try to avoid any steaks that are gray in color or that have brown bloodlines, as this could be an indication of lower quality. Fresh swordfish will also have a swirly pattern in the meat and will feel firm to the touch. 

When buying frozen swordfish steaks, you may want to look for “clipper” swordfish. This is frozen out at sea right after it’s caught, so it’s super fresh tasting. It’s also usually much less expensive than swordfish that is “fresh never frozen.”

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for swordfish via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for swordfish. 

How to store swordfish

When buying swordfish, it’s best to pick it up at the end of the grocery trip and make sure it stays cold as you transport it from the store to your home. If you’re planning on cooking swordfish within 2 days, it will be fine stored in the refrigerator. 

When swordfish sits in its own juices, it starts to deteriorate. For this reason, you’ll need to do some preparation before putting it in the refrigerator. When you get it home, remove the swordfish from the packaging, rinse it off, and pat it dry. Then, place crushed ice in a shallow pan, add a cake rack, and put the swordfish steaks on the rack. Wrap the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and put it in the coldest part of your refrigerator (usually the bottom drawer). 

If you need to store the swordfish for longer than 2 days, you’ll want to rinse and dry it, then wrap it tightly in at least 2 layers of lined freezer paper before placing it in the freezer. When stored properly, swordfish will last up to 2 months in the freezer. It will last another 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator after it has thawed.

Once it’s cooked, you’ll want to store your swordfish in a shallow, airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Make sure to refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking it. As long as it’s stored properly, cooked swordfish will stay good in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. 

How to tell if swordfish is bad

If you’re wondering whether your swordfish has gone bad, the best thing you can do is smell it and look at its color and texture. If you notice that it has a sour smell, a slimy feel, or a dull color, then it may have gone bad. To ensure safety, it’s best to discard any fish that seems “off.” 

What can I substitute for swordfish?

Whether you’re planning on making grilled swordfish, baked swordfish, or broiled swordfish, you can easily substitute other thick, meaty fish. Some of the best options include:

• Mahi-mahi
• Tuna
• Salmon
• Halibut 

Add swordfish to your next meal plan

Swordfish is delicious and there are so many different ways to make it! If you’re thinking about adding it to your next meal plan, Instacart can make it super easy! With Instacart Express, you can get grocery delivery for free on orders over $35.

Just add everything you need to your shopping list and an expert shopper will gather everything for you and deliver it right to your door. Try it out today! 

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