Maltese
Pixxispad Mixwi (Grilled Swordfish)
Maltese grilled swordfish with lemon, garlic, capers, parsley, and olive oil. Fresh, simple, and perfect for warm weather.
Maltese grilled swordfish with lemon, garlic, capers, parsley, and olive oil. Fresh, simple, and perfect for warm weather.

Bright, satisfying and built for real life.
This recipe brings together the generous flavours of Maltese cooking in a format that works on a busy day. Read through the method before starting and adjust seasoning to your taste.
The recipe
Pixxispad Mixwi (Grilled Swordfish)
Ingredients
Ingredients
Method
- 1
Marinate the fish: Pat the swordfish dry. Mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, capers, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Coat the fish and leave to marinate for 20-30 minutes.
- 2
Heat the grill: Preheat a grill pan, barbecue, or oven grill until hot.
- 3
Cook: Grill the swordfish for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until just cooked through. Avoid overcooking or it will become dry.
- 4
Rest and serve: Rest for 2 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges and any remaining herb oil spooned over the top.
Pixxispad Mixwi is a simple Maltese grilled swordfish dish, bright with lemon, garlic, parsley, capers, and olive oil. It is the kind of fish recipe that belongs to summer lunches, seaside restaurants, and easy family cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with salad and Maltese bread
- Pair with patata l-forn or boiled potatoes
- Add grilled vegetables on the side
- Finish with extra lemon at the table
Traditional Notes & Tips
- Swordfish dries out quickly, so cook it only until just done
- Capers and lemon balance the richness of the fish
- A barbecue gives the best flavour in warm weather
- Tuna steaks can be cooked in a similar way
- Fresh parsley should be added generously
Recipe adapted from Maltese Recipes.
Storage
No specific storage guidance is provided in the source recipe.
Freezing
Check the recipe notes for any dish-specific freezing guidance.
Reheating
Follow current food-safety guidance and reheat cooked food thoroughly where appropriate.
Keep cooking
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