Description
Perfectly grilled branzino, bursting with fresh herbs and bright lemon. A simple yet elegant recipe for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 whole branzino (3 lbs) whole branzino
- 1 lemon (with one half reserved for grilling) lemon
- Assorted fresh herbs (like parsley, cilantro, thyme, or basil) Assorted fresh herbs (like parsley, cilantro, thyme, or basil)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) olive oil
- Zest and juice of 0.5 lemon
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) fresh herbs (choose parsley, basil, or cilantro), finely chopped (thick stems removed)
- Salt and pepper Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preparation of Branzino: Ask your fishmonger to clean, de-scale, and gut the branzino. Once home, pat the fish dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your outdoor or indoor grill to a high setting.
- Season and Stuff the Fish: Sprinkle salt and pepper inside each fish cavity. Add 2-3 lemon slices (halve if too large) and a few sprigs of herbs.
- Olive Oil Coating: Generously brush olive oil on the outside of each fish to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
- Grilling the Branzino: Place the stuffed fish on the preheated grill. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the skin is charred and the fish is opaque.
- Grilling the Lemon: While the fish rests, grill a reserved lemon half until lightly charred.
- Prepare Herb Olive Oil: Combine finely chopped herbs, olive oil, lemon zest, and juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Serving the Fish: Lay the grilled fish on a platter. Remove the lemon slices and herbs from inside. Open the fish with a fork, exposing the fillets. Remove the spine, and optionally the head and tail. Drizzle with herb olive oil and squeeze the grilled lemon over the fish.
Notes
- For even cooking, ensure your branzino are similar in size. If not, adjust grilling time accordingly.
- To make ahead, prepare the herb oil a day in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- If fresh herbs are unavailable, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herbs, but use less to account for stronger flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 whole branzino
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 100