A simple yet elegant recipe for baking a whole fish, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with crispy skin. Infused with lemon and herbs, this dish brings gourmet seafood flavors to your home kitchen, perfect for a healthy and impressive dinner.
Easy Whole Baked Fish Dinner
A simple yet elegant recipe for baking a whole fish, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with crispy skin. Infused with lemon and herbs, this dish brings gourmet seafood flavors to your home kitchen, perfect for a healthy and impressive dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish (branzino snapper
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 whole lemon sliced thinly
- 4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 tsp salt sea salt preferred
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the fish dry thoroughly with paper towels. Make 2-3 diagonal slits on both sides of the fish.
- Stuff the cavity of the fish with half the lemon slices, garlic, and fresh herbs.
- Drizzle the fish with olive oil, then rub salt and pepper all over the skin and into the slits.
- Place the remaining lemon slices and herbs on top of and around the fish on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
- Carefully transfer the baked fish to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, choose a fresh whole fish like branzino, snapper, or sea bass. Adjust baking time based on fish thickness; fish is done when flesh flakes easily with a fork. Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. You can add sliced cherry tomatoes or a splash of white wine to the baking pan for extra moisture and flavor.
