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Lemon Herb Whole Roasted Fish


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  • Author: Kalle Bergman
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Roasting a whole fish is one of the simplest and most impressive things you can cook — and most home cooks never do it, which is a shame. A whole branzino or snapper stuffed with lemon slices and fresh herbs, rubbed with olive oil, and roasted at high heat until the skin crackles and the flesh is perfectly moist. The bones keep the meat juicy in a way fillets cannot replicate. Twenty minutes of active work for something that looks like a dinner party centerpiece.


Ingredients

Units
  • 2 whole branzino or red snapper (about 1 1/2 lbs each), cleaned and scaled
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained
  • 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pat the fish dry inside and out with paper towels. Score the skin on both sides with 3 diagonal slashes, cutting about 1/4-inch deep.
  3. Rub the fish all over with olive oil and season generously inside and out with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Stuff each cavity with lemon slices, thyme, rosemary, and smashed garlic.
  5. Place the fish on the baking sheet. Roast 20 to 25 minutes until the skin is crispy and the flesh flakes easily when tested near the backbone with a fork.
  6. While the fish rests 5 minutes, heat butter in a small saucepan until it foams and turns golden brown. Add the capers and let them sizzle for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in white wine and parsley.
  7. Spoon the brown butter caper sauce over the roasted fish. Serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

  • Scoring the skin is not decorative — it prevents the skin from buckling in the oven and allows the heat to penetrate evenly into the thickest parts of the fish.
  • A truly dry fish surface is the secret to crispy skin. Pat it dry multiple times if needed — any moisture will create steam instead of crispness.
  • Ask your fishmonger to clean and scale the fish. There is no reason to do that at home unless you enjoy it.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 340
  • Sugar: 1
  • Sodium: 560
  • Fat: 18
  • Carbohydrates: 4
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 38
  • Cholesterol: 95