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This Mediterranean whole roasted branzino recipe is fresh, light, and full of flavor. Stuffed with herbs and lemon and roasted until flaky, it’s the perfect healthy seafood dinner served with heirloom tomatoes.

Whole Roasted Branzino

This Mediterranean roasted branzino recipe is fresh, light, and full of flavor. Stuffed with herbs and lemon and roasted until flaky, it’s the perfect healthy seafood dinner served with heirloom tomatoes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 3 People

Ingredients
  

Fish

  • 2-3 whole branzino about 1 lb each, cleaned with head and tail attached
  • 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 3 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 lemon sliced into rounds
  • 3-4 large garlic cloves minced
  • Handful of fresh parsley
  • Handful of fresh cilantro

For Serving

  • 1-2 heirloom tomatoes sliced or chopped
  • Fresh herbs for garnish

Optional Lemon Olive Oil Sauce

  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp oregano

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F

Prepare the fish

  • Pat the cleaned branzino dry with paper towels.
  • Using a sharp knife, score the fish by making 2–3 diagonal cuts on each side. This helps the fish and allows it to cook evenly.

Season the fish

  • Place the fish on a prepared baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, then season generously inside and out with Salt, pepper, oregano, minced garlic
  • Rub the seasoning over the outside of the fish and lightly inside the cavity.

Stuff the fish

  • Place the following inside each fish cavity: Lemon slices, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro

Roast the fish

  • Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast for 25–30 minutes.
  • The fish is done when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.

Broil for crispy skin

  • Turn the oven to broil on high and cook the fish for an additional 3–5 minutes, until the skin becomes golden and slightly crisp.
  • Watch closely to prevent burning.

Make the optional lemon olive oil sauce

  • While the fish is roasting, prepare the sauce. In a bowl combine: lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper
  • Whisk together.While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until fully combined.

Serve

  • Transfer the fish to a serving platter.
  • Drizzle with the lemon olive oil sauce (optional) and serve with fresh sliced heirloom tomatoes and herbs.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips for Cooking Whole Branzino

  • Ask your fishmonger to clean and scale the fish before buying.
  • Scoring the fish helps it cook evenly and allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat.
  • Whole fish cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it toward the end.
  • Branzino pairs well with simple Mediterranean sides like tomatoes, olives, or roasted vegetables.