What’s on the menu? Lemon Basil Swordfish with Spatchcock Funk!

In this week’s “What’s on the Menu?” segment on Weekend Today in Central York, viewers learn how to make Lemon Basil Swordfish.

Watch the clip above for step-by-step instructions.

Matt Read will appear on NBC3 Sunday mornings at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

From Spatchcock Funk:

Lemon Basil Swordfish Recipe

We jumped into the hot tub time machine for this one, and the journey was worth it. This recipe first showed up in a 1993 episode of Bon Appetit Now for us, the 90’s were a creative awakening for the squad, and the world too. That year, Wu Tang dropped 36 chambers, Janet Jackson released Janet, Radiohead spun Pablo Honey, Smashing Pumpkins had a Siamese Dream and Pearl Jam ripped vs., among others. Food started blowing up too, Emeril got big on Food network, and foodies really started to advance their craft. So, people started really getting into things, like Swordfish, a meaty, white fish that is really well-complimented by the sweetness of basil and the brightness of lemon. It’s great on the grill, and best in the summer and fall. So, let’s sharpen those swords and drop some old school throwback jams and get grilling.

Special note: If you worry about fish sticking to the grill, a good hack is to cut up a white onion and use that on the grill, under your fish, and then at the end just drop it briefly on the grill to get some grill marks. If you trust your grill, don’t worry about it.

Ingredients for Lemon Basil Swordfish Recipe

1/2 Cup Extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

3 Tbsp. Lemon juice

3 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1.5 Cups Sliced or torn fresh basil leaves

2 1-inch thick swordfish steaks

1 whole lemon, cut in half lengthwise

Directions for Lemon Basil Swordfish Recipe

Whisk the olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and garlic in a glass bowl

Add in the torn basil leaves, stir it around

Pour the mixture into a plastic bag

Add the fish, and put it in the fridge for 3 hours, no longer

Grill the halved lemons and the fish over medium high heat, 6-7 minutes each side

Lay on your plate, and garnish with the grilled lemon and a few basil leaves

Bonus Tip – This can also be done in the oven, by baking at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. This works well paired with grilled or roasted vegetables, but the swordfish also works great on a soft roll for a great sandwich.

Want to fire up new recipes on your grill? Check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel here.