EatBetterEatBetter
Foods ▾
Ready & Packaged FoodsVegetables & LegumesDesserts & ConfectioneryMeat & ProteinGrains & BakeryBeveragesMilk & DairyNatural & Other Foods

Ready & Packaged Foods

All →
Fast Food & RestaurantBurgers · Pizza · Doner & Wrap · Fried Sides · Restaurant Menu Items

Explore foods by category, subcategory or brand

CompareBrands
Tools ▾

Calorie Calculator

Work out your daily calorie needs

BMI Calculator

Body mass index from your height and weight

Food GuideCompareBlog
TR
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
A whole, slender Spanish mackerel has a pointed head, a streamlined silver body with small yellow-gold spots along its sides, a dark blue-green back, and a deeply forked tail.
●Low GI
★Natural
⚡High Potassium

Spanish Mackerel Calories

Rich in omega-3, high protein, low carbohydrate

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

205kcal

GI

0low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

340mg

FIBER · 100 G

0g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Spanish Mackerel (120 g) has 246 calories. That works out to 205 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 24.7 g of protein, 16.7 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 21.6 µg of B12 covers 900% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Spanish Mackerel Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 120 g

246

KCAL / 120G

Carbs

0g

· 0% DV

Protein

24.7g

· 49% DV

Fat

16.7g

· 21% DV

Fiber

0g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 40% · Fat 60%

Spanish Mackerel nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (120 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories246 kcal
Total fat16.7 g21%
Saturated fat3.84 g19%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium108 mg5%
Total carbohydrate0 g0%
Fiber0 g0%
Protein24.7 g49%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

EatBetter

Log this food in EatBetter

100,000+ people use it

  • Get your daily calorie target
  • Snap your meal, log it in seconds
  • See every vitamin and mineral
QR code to get the EatBetter app

📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

The EatBetter app recognising potatoes, broccoli and salmon on a plate

How Many Calories in 1 Medium Spanish Mackerel?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)120 g246 kcal
1 slice (thin)60 g123 kcal
1 piece (small)80 g164 kcal
100 g100 g205 kcal
1 serving (medium)100 g205 kcal
1 slice (thick)100 g205 kcal
1 serving (large)150 g308 kcal
1 piece (large)180 g369 kcal
1 piece (extra large)250 g513 kcal

Calculated from 205 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Mackerel

Is Spanish mackerel good to eat?

Yes, Spanish mackerel is a popular eating fish with firm, flavorful flesh. It works well grilled, broiled, pan-seared, or baked; cook it just until the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily to keep it moist.

What does Spanish mackerel taste like?

Spanish mackerel tastes rich and distinctly fishy, with an oily, tender texture. Its flavor stands up well to grilling and bold seasonings, while lemon or a simple herb sauce adds brightness without covering up the fish.

How do you cook Spanish mackerel?

Spanish mackerel can be grilled, pan-seared, broiled, or baked. Pat the fish dry, season it simply, and avoid overcooking; thinner fillets cook quickly, so check them often and stop when the flesh flakes easily.

Is Spanish mackerel high in mercury?

Mercury levels in Spanish mackerel can vary with the exact species and the fish’s size, and some mackerels are higher in mercury than others. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your healthcare professional which local species and serving frequency are appropriate.

Is Spanish mackerel the same as king mackerel?

No. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel are different fish, although names can vary by market. King mackerel generally has higher mercury levels, so check the species name rather than relying on the word “mackerel” alone.

Can you eat the skin of Spanish mackerel?

Yes, Spanish mackerel skin is edible when cooked. For crisp skin, dry the fillet well and start it skin-side down in a hot pan or on the grill; you can also remove the skin easily after cooking.

Does Spanish mackerel have a lot of bones?

Spanish mackerel has a central backbone and rib bones, and small pin bones may remain in fillets. Run your fingers along the flesh before serving and pull out any pin bones with clean tweezers, especially for children.

How can you tell if Spanish mackerel is fresh?

Fresh Spanish mackerel should smell clean and mildly ocean-like, with firm flesh that springs back when pressed. Clear eyes and shiny skin are good signs; a sour, sharp, or ammonia-like smell means you should not buy or eat it.

Can you freeze Spanish mackerel?

Yes, Spanish mackerel freezes well when wrapped tightly to limit air exposure. Clean and dry it before packing, thaw it in the refrigerator, and cook it soon after thawing rather than refreezing it.

Can you eat Spanish mackerel raw?

Only eat Spanish mackerel raw if it has been handled and prepared specifically for raw consumption; ordinary fresh fish is not automatically safe to eat uncooked. Cooking it thoroughly is the safer choice because raw fish can carry parasites or harmful bacteria.

Spanish Mackerel Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

21.6µg · 900% DV

Vitamin D

19.2µg · 96% DV

B3

8.16mg · 51% DV

B6

0.72mg · 42% DV

Minerals

Selenium

43µg · 78% DV

Phosphorus

264mg · 38% DV

Iodine

48µg · 32% DV

Potassium ⭐

408mg · 12% DV

Sodium

108mg · 5% DV

Spanish Mackerel Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

0
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Spanish Mackerel

To burn the 246 calories in 1 piece (medium) (120 g):

🚶

61min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

25min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

33min

Cycling

🏊

29min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Spanish Mackerel?

Spanish mackerel is a saltwater fish in the mackerel family, valued for its rich, oily flesh. The common name covers related fish found in coastal waters, rather than guaranteeing that a particular fish was caught in Spain. Its flesh is tender and distinctly savoury, and holds up well to grilling, baking or pan-searing. It is often served as a main with lemon, vegetables or a simple salad; in Turkey, you can cook it much like other oily fish and pair it with greens and bread.

It provides substantial protein and omega-3 fats, with no carbohydrates. For a lighter meal, bake or grill it instead of frying.

How Nutritious Is Spanish Mackerel?

Nutrient density

Very high

85/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

50/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Spanish Mackerel Processed?

NOVA 1

Unprocessed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Spanish Mackerel Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish yes
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Spanish Mackerel Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Spanish Mackerel Fat Profile

SATURATED

3.84g

MONOUNSATURATED

6.12g

POLYUNSATURATED

3.72g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 0.1:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Spanish Mackerel

🐟vs🐟
Spanish Mackerel vs Salmon Fillet1 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🐟vs🐟
Spanish Mackerel vs Canned Tuna89 kcal more per 100 g
→
🐟vs🐟
Spanish Mackerel vs Fish95 kcal more per 100 g
→
🐟vs🐟
Spanish Mackerel vs Tuna73 kcal more per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Spanish Mackerel

🐟

Salmon Fillet

206 kcal

🐟

Canned Tuna

116 kcal

🐟

Fish

110 kcal

🐟

Tuna

132 kcal

🐟

Baked Sea Bass

110 kcal

🐟

Grilled Sea Bass

124 kcal

🐟

Whiting

90 kcal

🦪

Stuffed Mussels

175 kcal

Have another question about Spanish Mackerel?

Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.

EatBetter

Scan calories with your camera

Instant AI nutrition analysis

App StoreGoogle Play

Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.