Whole Roasted Branzino with Lemon Herbs Recipe
This Whole Roasted Branzino with Lemon Herbs is a simple and elegant seafood dish featuring fresh branzino fish roasted to perfection with aromatic lemon slices, garlic, and a blend of fresh herbs. The fish is seasoned and stuffed for maximum flavor, then roasted in the oven until moist and flaky, finished under the broiler for a crispy skin. Perfect for a light and healthy dinner that showcases Mediterranean flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 2 whole branzino, about 1 to 1 1/2 lb each, cleaned and scaled
Seasoning and Stuffing
- 2 pieces lemons (1 thinly sliced for the cavities, 1 cut into wedges)
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 6 sprigs fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano and/or rosemary) plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional
- Lemon garlic butter or herb butter, to serve
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a heavy-duty sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Dry the Fish: Thoroughly pat the branzino dry, both inside and out, to ensure crispy skin during roasting.
- Score the Fish: Make 3 shallow slashes on each side of the fish’s skin; this allows seasoning to penetrate and helps with even cooking.
- Seasoning and Stuffing: Rub the fish all over with extra-virgin olive oil, inside and out. Generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, including the cavities. Then stuff each cavity with lemon slices, smashed garlic cloves, and herb sprigs to infuse fresh flavors.
- Roasting: Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes. Check early to ensure the fish remains moist and tender. The flesh should appear opaque and flake easily near the backbone when done.
- Broiling for Crispy Skin: To finish, broil the fish for 1 to 2 minutes until the skin turns crisp. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serving: Serve the roasted branzino with fresh lemon wedges, extra herbs for garnish, and optional lemon garlic or herb butter for added richness.
Notes
- Make sure the branzino is completely dry before roasting to achieve a crispy skin.
- If you don’t have all the herbs listed, mix and match what you have—parsley and thyme work beautifully on their own.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid scorching the fish.
- Branzino can be substituted with other whole white fish of similar size like sea bass or snapper.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: whole roasted branzino, lemon herb fish, baked branzino, Mediterranean seafood, healthy fish recipe, oven roasted fish
