CarneAtlas

Espadarte

Fish · Xiphiidae

Espadarte in English is Swordfish. It belongs to the Xiphiidae family; the names below show how the same fish is sold across international markets.

Espadarte — Xiphiidae fish

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Also called
🇺🇸🇬🇧Swordfish🇲🇽🇦🇷🇪🇸Pez espada🇫🇷Espadon🇮🇹Pesce spada🇩🇪Schwertfisch

Swordfish is a large, fast-swimming ocean predator with firm, meaty, mildly flavored flesh that resembles a pork chop in texture. It is sold as thick steaks and is ideal for grilling or pan-searing. Its low moisture content means it can withstand high heat without falling apart. It is popular across the Mediterranean and in Mexico where it is used in tacos and ceviches.

Useful gear for preparing fish

$ · lifting and turning delicate fish fillets

OXO Good Grips Little Fish Turner

Sliding beneath fillets and turning them with less tearing than a thick spatula.

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$$ · filleting, skinning, and trimming whole fish

Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Flexible Fillet Knife

Following the bones and contours of whole fish with a narrow, flexible blade.

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Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇺🇸United StatesSwordfish
🇬🇧United KingdomSwordfish
🇲🇽MexicoPez espada
🇦🇷ArgentinaPez espada
🇫🇷FranceEspadon
🇪🇸SpainPez espadaAlso called emperador in Spain and the Canary Islands
🇵🇹PortugalEspadarteprimary
🇧🇷BrazilEspadarte
🇮🇹ItalyPesce spadaFeatured prominently in Sicilian cuisine, often grilled or rolled into involtini.
🇩🇪GermanySchwertfisch

Culinary substitutes

Tuna
Tuna

Both are large, meaty ocean fish sold as steaks and suited to grilling — tuna is richer and eaten rare, swordfish is drier and cooked through.

Dorado
Dorado

Both are firm ocean fish suited to grilling as steaks — mahi-mahi is moister and sweeter, swordfish is drier and more intensely flavored.