Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté is a smooth, creamy, and flavour-packed spread made from smoked mackerel, cream cheese, lemon, and simple seasonings. It delivers a bold smoky taste balanced with freshness, making it perfect for snacks, party platters, or quick lunches. This recipe is incredibly fast to prepare and requires no cooking—just blend, chill, and serve.
This Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté recipe serves 4–6 people and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, making it one of the easiest appetisers to whip up at home.

What Makes This Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté Worth Making

• Quick, no-cook recipe that comes together in minutes.
• Naturally rich and smoky flavour from high-quality mackerel.
• Perfect for entertaining, spreading on toast, crackers, or sandwiches.
• Healthy and high in omega-3, making it nutritious as well as delicious.
• Flexible flavour profile, easy to enhance with herbs or spices.

What Is Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté?

Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté is a creamy spread made by blending smoked mackerel with cream cheese, lemon juice, and simple seasonings. It’s smooth, rich, and ideal as a starter, dip, or sandwich filling.

Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté Ingredients List

• 200g smoked mackerel fillets, skin removed
• 150g cream cheese
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon horseradish (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper
• Olive oil (optional for richness)

How to Prepare Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté – Simple Steps

1. Prepare the Mackerel Base

Flake the smoked mackerel into a bowl, removing any skin or small bones. Breaking it into smaller pieces makes blending easier and ensures a smooth consistency.

2. Add Cream Cheese and Lemon

Add the cream cheese and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. The lemon brightens the richness of the fish and balances the smoky flavour.

3. Blend Until Smooth and Creamy

Use a food processor or hand blender to mix everything into a smooth pâté. Adjust the texture—blend longer for silky smoothness or pulse lightly for a rustic, chunky finish.

4. Season and Add Optional Extras

Stir in parsley, salt, and pepper. Add horseradish if you prefer a sharper, spicy edge, or a splash of olive oil for extra richness.

5. Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavours meld. Serve with crusty bread, crackers, toast points, or fresh vegetable sticks.

More recipes to add to your list

• Jamie Oliver Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
• Jamie Oliver Creamed Spinach

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté

• Using low-fat cream cheese results in a thinner, less creamy texture.
• Adding too much lemon can make the pâté watery.
• Not removing bones fully may affect smoothness.
• Overblending can turn the pâté overly dense.
• Skipping the chilling time reduces flavour depth.

Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté

• Crusty baguette slices for the perfect bite.
• Crackers or crispbreads for a crunchy contrast.
• Fresh cucumber sticks for a refreshing balance.
• Pickles or capers to complement smokiness.
• Simple green salad for a light pairing.

Expert Tips to Get Mackerel Pâté Just Right

• Use smoked mackerel rather than fresh for a deeper flavour.
• Add a touch of mustard or horseradish for extra sharpness.
• Blend in Greek yoghurt if you prefer a lighter texture.
• Add lemon zest for extra brightness.
• Chill longer for a firmer, more spreadable pâté.

How to Add More Flavour to Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté

• Add dill or chives for herbal freshness.
• Mix in capers for tangy notes.
• Add smoked paprika for warmth.
• Incorporate roasted garlic for sweetness.
• Drizzle olive oil over the top before serving.

How to Adjust Mackerel Pâté for Kids

Use less lemon and omit horseradish. Blend until very smooth and serve with soft bread or crackers for an easy, mild snack.

Is Jamie Oliver’s Mackerel Pâté Gluten-Free?

Yes, the pâté itself is gluten-free—just ensure you serve it with gluten-free bread or crackers if needed.

Best Way to Store Mackerel Pâté Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because it contains fish and dairy, it should not be kept longer.

Best Ways to Reheat Mackerel Pâté Leftovers

Mackerel pâté is not reheated. Simply bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~180
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fat: 13g
• Omega-3: high

Best Mackerel Type for Mackerel Pâté

Smoked mackerel fillets are ideal, especially those lightly seasoned or simply smoked without heavy spices.

Can I Freeze Mackerel Pâté?

Freezing is not recommended as the texture becomes grainy and the dairy may separate.

FAQs

How do I make mackerel pâté smooth and creamy?

To achieve a smooth and creamy Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté, blend the smoked mackerel with cream cheese and lemon juice until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the food processor and blend again to remove lumps. Using full-fat cream cheese helps create a velvety consistency.

Can I use fresh mackerel instead of smoked mackerel for pâté?

Fresh mackerel can be used, but it must be cooked first and will not have the same deep smoky flavour. Smoked mackerel is recommended because it adds richness and seasoning without extra effort, giving the pâté its classic taste.

How long does homemade mackerel pâté keep in the fridge?

Mackerel pâté lasts up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Because it contains fish and dairy, it should be consumed promptly for the best flavour and food safety.

What can I serve with mackerel pâté for the best flavour?

Mackerel pâté pairs well with crusty bread, crackers, toast points, or crudités like cucumber and celery. The crisp textures balance the creamy, smoky pâté and make it perfect as a starter or snack.

Final Words – Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté

Jamie Oliver Mackerel Pâté is quick, creamy, and full of smoky flavour, making it the perfect appetiser or snack. With minimal ingredients and effortless preparation, it’s a go-to recipe for gatherings or simple everyday meals.

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