Description
This restaurant-quality whole branzino recipe features a lively lemon butter sauce that enhances the flaky, delicious fish. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and 25 minutes total, you can prepare a gourmet-style dinner that's perfect for a special occasion or an elegant weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Sauce
- 1 stick salted butter (4 oz)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (or chives, freshly chopped)
- Table salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Fish
- 3 whole branzino fish (about 1 ¼ pounds each, scaled and cleaned)
- 1 lemon (thinly sliced)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F, placing the rack on the lower middle position to ensure even cooking of the whole fish.
- Prepare Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking gently until softened and fragrant. Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice and chopped parsley or chives. Season with table salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then set aside.
- Prepare the Fish: Pat the cleaned branzino dry with paper towels. Make a few diagonal slashes on each side of the fish to help the flavors penetrate. Season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with a few lemon slices for added aroma and flavor.
- Assemble for Roasting: Place the branzino on a baking tray or roasting pan. Drizzle them lightly with extra virgin olive oil and arrange additional lemon slices on top of the fish.
- Roast the Fish: Put the tray in the preheated oven and roast the branzino for 15 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque, flaky, and easily pulls away from the bone.
- Serve: Remove the fish from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Spoon the warm lemon butter sauce evenly over each fish. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the branzino is well cleaned and scaled before cooking for the best texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice and herbs to brighten the flavor of the butter sauce.
- If you don’t have parsley, chives or fresh dill make a great alternative.
- Roasting time may vary slightly depending on fish size; ensure the flesh is fully opaque and flakes easily.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 127 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 82 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22.5 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
