Grilled Whole Branzino Recipe with Lemon and Herbs
Learn how to cook branzino right on your grill! Grilled whole branzino stuffed with lemon slices and herbs and cooked to perfection in less than 30 minutes for a perfect summer main dish.
Servings: 3 whole fish
Calories: 249kcal
Equipment
- nonstick cooking spray this one is specifically for the free
Ingredients
- 3 whole branzino fish scaled and gutted
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- kosher salt as needed
- black pepper freshly cracked, as needed
- 12 cloves whole garlic peeled and smashed
- 1 cup fresh parsley loosely chopped
- 1 lemon cut into thin slices
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (between 350 degrees F and 375 degrees F). Liberally coat your fish basket or tray with nonstick cooking spray and place it on the grill to get hot.
- Give the branzino a quick rinse under cool running water and rinse the inside and outside of the fish. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel.3 whole branzino fish
- Drizzle the olive oil over both sides of each fish, then generously season the insides and outsides with salt and pepper.⅓ cup olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper
- Stuff the cavities of the branzino with lemon slices, smashed garlic cloves, and parsley. If the branzino is large and fleshy, use a sharp knife to cut slices into the sides of the fish so the thicker parts cook evenly with the thinner parts.12 cloves whole garlic, 1 cup fresh parsley, 1 lemon
- Place the fish onto your hot grill tray/baskets and cook for five minutes. Use a fish spatula to carefully flip the fish and grill the other side for another five minutes. You're looking for cloudy eyes that have shrunken up and crispy skin!
- Remove the fish from the grill and serve on a platter with sides.
Notes
Pro Tips
- Yes, you can eat the skin!
- Secure all the good stuff inside of the fish with toothpicks if you really packed the cavity of the fish (I do all the time!). Just remove the toothpicks before serving.
- My hubs prefers lime instead of lemons. I do like the difference in flavor!
Buying Fresh Fish Tips
- If the fish is really fresh with all its guts, have the fishmonger at the store clean 'em out for you! Never be afraid to ask them for help.
- When you get fresh branzino from a fishmonger always look at the eyes. They should be clear, shiny, like it's looking at you. If it's getting dull or cloudy, it's not a fresh fish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1whole fish | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1.695IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg