Branzino Recipe
European Sea Bass, also known as Branzino, reminds me of growing up near the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It is so incredibly easy to prepare, and you won’t be intimidated with this easy method.
Servings: 1 Fish
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. You can also cook this on a BBQ.
- Season the fish all over with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Also season the inside of the fish with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stuff the fish with fresh lemon slices and lemon thyme or parsley.
- Place the fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the skin is crisped and browned in spots and the flesh is opaque and flakes off easily with a fork. Mine took 30 minutes to cook.
- Let the fish rest out of the oven for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lemons and herbs from the crevice and gently open up your fish. Discard the fish bones.
- Garnish with parsley, lemons, and drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Fish Swap-Friendly: This recipe works beautifully with other mild white fish too—try it with walleye, snapper, sea bream, or trout. Just adjust the cook time based on thickness.
- Choose Wisely: Look for fish with clear eyes, bright red gills, firm flesh, and a fresh, ocean-like smell. Dull eyes or a strong odor = no-go.
- Serving Size Tip: A whole Branzino (1–1.5 lbs) typically serves 1–2 people. Hosting a crowd? Just scale up accordingly—no need to change the recipe.
- Quality Matters: With just a few simple ingredients, make sure they shine! Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon, and flaky sea salt for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 fish | Calories: 564kcal | Protein: 80g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 363mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 1161mg | Vitamin A: 408IU | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 4mg
